California Slip and Fall Lawyers
Property owners have a legal duty to maintain safe conditions for visitors. If a hidden hazard caused your injury, you aren't just an "accident victim"—you are a victim of corporate negligence. We secure high-value settlements from retailers, landlords, and government entities.
Critical Steps to Take Now
Retailers often clean the hazard within minutes of a fall. You must act fast to preserve evidence.
The Burden of Proof: Standard vs. Scranton
California law requires proving the owner had notice of the hazard. We use forensic methods to meet that burden.
| Legal Strategy | The Insurance Approach | The Scranton Strategy |
|---|---|---|
| Constructive Notice | "We didn't know it was there"✗ | Proving the hazard existed long enough to be found✔ |
| Sweep Log Audits | They provide fake maintenance logs✗ | Auditing digital timestamps and video evidence✔ |
| Comparative Negligence | "You should have been looking down"✗ | Proving the hazard was a trap, not an obvious risk✔ |
| Surveillance Video | "The cameras weren't working"✗ | Immediate subpoena to preserve DVR hard drives✔ |
Premises Liability Settlements
Slip and fall injuries often lead to complex surgeries and lifelong pain. We fight for every dollar.
Navigating California's Strict Premises Liability Laws
Under California law, property owners are not automatically liable for every fall. To win a settlement, we must prove that the owner had Actual or Constructive Notice of the hazard. This means they either knew about the risk and ignored it, or the hazard existed for so long that a "reasonable" inspection should have discovered it. At Scranton Law Firm, we specialize in litigating these complex claims against major Northern California retailers at hubs like Sunvalley Shopping Center and Broadway Plaza.
The Trap of Comparative Negligence
Defense lawyers will almost always try to blame the victim, claiming you should have seen the hazard or that you were distracted. California is a Pure Comparative Negligence state, meaning you can still recover compensation even if you were partially at fault. We use expert testimony to prove that the property owner's negligence was the primary cause of your trauma.
Whether you fell at a Concord BART station, a Martinez grocery store, or a private residence in Walnut Creek, the two-year statute of limitations applies. If a government entity is involved, that window can shrink to six months. Call us today to secure your claim before evidence is destroyed.
"Corporate giants don't pay until they're forced to."
"Big retailers have teams of investigators ready to sweep away evidence within minutes of a fall. They rely on you feeling embarrassed or assuming it was your fault. My firm was built 50 years ago to stop that. We know their tactics, we know how they hide maintenance logs, and we know how to make them take responsibility for the harm they caused."
— Chris Scranton, CEO & Trial Advocate.
What to Expect When You Hire Us
Premises liability cases are won or lost on evidence preservation. We manage the entire legal battle.
Free Expert Case Evaluation
You call us at 800-707-0707. We analyze the property owner's history, the hazard details, and the technical liability. We'll tell you immediately if you have a valid claim.
Evidence Preservation & Subpoena
We immediately serve the property owner with a demand to preserve surveillance video and sweep logs. We interview witnesses before their memories are influenced by corporate defense teams.
Specialized Medical Diagnostics
Impact injuries often have delayed symptoms. We work with specialists who accept medical liens, ensuring you get advanced care with $0 out-of-pocket while your case is pending.
The "Maximum Value" Demand
We present a comprehensive demand to the insurance carrier covering all medical costs, future rehabilitation, lost wages, and pain and suffering. Most cases settle here because of our reputation.
Litigation & Trial (If Needed)
If the corporation refuses to pay fair value, we take them to court. Our 50-year history in California Superior Courts is the leverage we use to win high-value verdicts.
Final Settlement & Resolution
We resolve all medical liens and paperwork, ensuring you receive your settlement check as quickly as possible. You pay nothing unless we win.
California Premises Liability Trial Team
Frequently Asked Questions
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Actual notice means the owner knew the hazard was there. Constructive notice means the hazard was present for so long that they should have known about it through reasonable inspections. Proving notice is the key to winning your case.
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A sign does not automatically grant the owner immunity. If the sign was poorly placed, hard to see, or if the hazard was so dangerous that a sign wasn't enough to prevent harm, you may still have a valid claim.
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Yes. California uses Pure Comparative Negligence. Even if you were partially distracted, the property owner is still responsible for the percentage of the accident caused by their failure to maintain a safe floor.
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The statute of limitations is two years. However, if you fell on government property (like a city sidewalk or a BART station), you must file a formal claim within just six months.
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We look for surveillance footage, manager sweep logs, internal emails about previous hazards, and expert traction testing on the flooring material itself.
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No. Adjusters are trained to lead you into saying the hazard was obvious or that you weren't looking. Let your lawyers handle all communication to protect the value of your case.
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The defense is a common tactic used by owners to claim they had no duty to warn you. We counter this by proving the hazard was unavoidable or deceptively dangerous under the specific lighting or conditions of the site.
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We work on a 100% contingency fee basis. You pay $0 upfront, and we only get paid if we recover money for you. If we don't win, you owe us absolutely nothing.
Hurt by a Property Hazard? Demand Justice.
Don't let a corporation blame you for their negligence. Let us audit your case for free. Available 24/7 across California.
Free Case Evaluation