San Francisco Slip & Fall Lawyer
While many people may picture a slip and fall as a minor accident, these incidents can result in serious injuries. Children, the elderly, and people with disabilities are especially prone to harm in a slip and fall.
Expertise
Samuel Meirowitz is “Top 100 Trial Lawyer” and an accomplished personal injury lawyer, trial attorney and relentless advocate for his clients. Previously, he served the State of New York for four years as a prosecutor in the Bronx District Attorney’s office. Mr. Meirowitz is admitted to practice law in New York and Florida State Courts.
Content written by Samuel Meirowitz
Samuel Meirowitz is “Top 100 Trial Lawyer” and an accomplished personal injury lawyer, trial attorney and relentless advocate for his clients. Previously, he served the State of New York for four years as a prosecutor in the Bronx District Attorney’s office. Mr. Meirowitz is admitted to practice law in New York and Florida State Courts.
Experienced Personal Injury Attorney
If your injuries were caused by unsafe conditions on someone else’s property and the property owner was negligent in maintaining the premises, you may have a claim. Our compassionate San Francisco slip and fall lawyers can help with your case. Call Meirowitz & Wasserberg today to schedule a free consultation.
Experienced Slip & Fall Attorney in San Francisco
Our dedicated team has extensive experience handling slip and fall cases. As nationally recognized trial attorneys, we have won over $500 million in verdicts and settlements. We provide personal attention and dedication to each client’s case. Our mission is to give a voice to the voiceless.
If you or a loved one was injured in a slip and fall accident, know that our San Francisco lawyers can handle your case from start to finish. We will take on the complexities of the claims process, including identifying the at-fault party, calculating a fair damages award, and negotiating with insurance companies. You can count on us to support your family’s recovery.
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Why You Need a Slip & Fall Lawyer
Legal representation is essential when navigating a premises liability claim. Without a seasoned professional’s help, you may face roadblocks in your case, such as disputes with liability, low settlement offers, and an overall lack of accountability.
- Disputes with liability – You must present evidence showing that the property owner owed you a duty of care, breached that duty, and that the breach directly caused your injuries and damages.
- Low settlement offers – It’s not uncommon for insurance companies to offer an inadequate settlement amount. An attorney can negotiate with insurance on your behalf and ensure that the offer you receive is sufficient for your damages.
- Overall lack of accountability – These cases won’t go anywhere without strong advocacy on your part. A lawyer can represent you from the initial filing through litigation, advocating for your voice to be heard and justice to be served.
Our trip and fall attorneys in San Francisco can fight for fair compensation that reflects your losses to the fullest.
Why Choose Our San Francisco Slip & Fall Lawyers?
Our experienced legal team handles a wide range of cases, including slip and fall accidents on both private and public property. We handle every aspect of your case so that you can focus on what matters most, your family and recovery.
Our founding partner, Samuel Meirowitz, is a member of the Top 100 Trial Lawyers by The National Trial Lawyers and has been selected to Super Lawyers every year since 2016. In addition, founding partner Daniel Wasserberg has been recognized as a “Top 100 Civil Litigator” by The National Trial Lawyers and has been included in the New York Metropolitan Super Lawyer list annually since 2013.
Our credentials speak for themselves. Schedule a complimentary consultation today for more information and to get started with building a case.
Our Slip & Fall Settlements and Verdicts
Meirowitz & Wasserberg has a track record of success, and we are proud to present our distinguished case results. Some highlights from recent cases include the following slip and fall settlements:
- $900,000 for a Client who tripped and fell over a white plastic bike lane divider, resulting in a fractured hip with surgery.
- $750,000 for a Client who slipped and fell on wet paint outside of a well-known department store, resulting in fractures in the foot and ankle.
- $400,000 for a slip and fall on snow and ice in the street resulting in a broken right femoral neck fracture and trauma to the right knee.
- $185,000 awarded to a client who tripped and fell on an uneven sidewalk, causing a fractured pelvis.
- $175,000 awarded to a client who tripped in front of a handicap ramp, resulting in a femoral neck fracture that required surgery.
- $120,000 awarded to a client who slipped on grease at a festival, leading to a broken ankle.
- $117,000 awarded to a client who tripped on a damaged sidewalk, suffering injuries to the neck, right shoulder, and lower back.
- $75,000 awarded to a client who sustained injuries to the shoulder, knee, and wrist after slipping and falling on ice in a parking lot.
We are a law firm with the resources, ability, and know-how to stand up to large corporations that place profit over public safety. Allow us to be your advocates during this difficult time.
What Our Clients Say
We have the skills and experience to take on even the most complex premise liability case, but do not just take our word for it; read some of our past clients’ experiences with us to learn more.
“When working with this company, they never hesitated when I required assistance. They were very professional and always cared about their clients' demands.”
Edwin Acosta.
“Sam did an outstanding job with my case. Sam and his staff were very supportive and empathetic, and handled all matters very professionally.”
John C.
Meirowitz & Wasserberg, LLP fights all the way through until the end. They actually care about your well-being, not just the case. Highly recommend 10/10, I wouldn’t look anywhere else.
Conor Reagan.
How To File a Slip & Fall Claim in San Francisco
You’ll need to take several initial steps to file a slip and fall claim in San Francisco. Fortunately, our attorneys can help from the beginning so that you don’t have to worry about any errors or complications.
- Report the incident: Once you’ve sought medical attention for your injuries, the next thing to do is report the accident to the property owner or manager. If the slip and fall took place at a business, request a copy of the incident report.
- Document everything: Keep copies of all documentation from the incident, including medical and accident reports, as well as photos of your injuries and where the fall took place. Each of these serves as evidence that can be used with your claim to establish fault and calculate a damages award.
- Determine liability: You’ll need to use evidence like documents and witness testimony to prove the property owner’s fault in your case. An attorney is essential for this portion of a claim, as they can collect proof of liability and gain access to vital resources, such as accident reconstructionists and expert testimony.
- File a lawsuit: If negotiations fail, you may need to file a lawsuit. The statute of limitations in California is two years from the date of injury, or six months for claims against the government. Your lawyer can help prepare your case and file suit.
- Prepare for a settlement or trial: The majority of personal injury cases will settle outside of court. However, if your case goes to trial, your attorney will help you present it, including evidence and witness testimony.
Overall, you can expect this process to take anywhere from several months to a few years. It all depends on factors such as whether you choose to take your case to court and whether it involves allegations of government negligence.
Understanding Premises Liability in California
Premises liability laws aim to protect visitors on both private and public property from harm. Under California Civil Code § 1714(a), individuals are liable for injuries caused to others by their failure to exercise ordinary care or skill in managing themselves or their property.
Property owners, including private homeowners, commercial property owners, landlords, and government entities, owe a duty of care to those who visit their premises. They must keep the area free of hazards and in a reasonably safe condition.
California law generally distinguishes between lawful visitors—such as guests, customers, and tenants—and trespassers. Property owners owe lawful visitors a duty to maintain reasonably safe premises and to warn of known hazards. While they owe trespassers a more limited duty, they must not willfully, wantonly, or through gross negligence cause them harm.
Common Causes of Slip & Fall Accidents
Slip and falls can be caused by several different types of hazards that can exist on private and public property, including the following:
- Wet or slippery floors
- Uneven surfaces or broken sidewalks
- Poor lighting in stairwells or hallways
- Obstacles or debris in walkways
- Lack of proper signage indicating hazards
These hazards can occur in various locations, including restaurants, grocery stores, and neighbors’ homes. Our team is here to help with your case, regardless of where the accident took place.
Statute of Limitations for Slip & Fall Claims in California
The statute of limitations establishes the legal deadline for filing a lawsuit. Failing to meet this deadline may lead to your case being permanently barred from compensation. In California, private property slip and fall claims must be filed within two years of the incident per California Code of Civil Procedure § 335.1.
Exceptions may apply, however. For instance, if a case involves public or government property, you must file within six months of the incident. Similarly, the clock does not start until a minor slip and fall victim turns 18. Lastly, if injuries are not immediately apparent, the discovery rule may apply, and the countdown starts when the injury is discovered or reasonably should have been discovered.
Contact Our Experienced San Francisco Slip & Fall Lawyers
If you or a loved one were the victim of a slip and fall accident, do not wait to get the justice you deserve. At Meirowitz & Wasserberg, we offer free consultations to review your incident and determine whether you have a case. Our evaluations are confidential, and our team is dedicated to the welfare of our clients. Contact us today to speak with a San Francisco slip and fall lawyer.
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Get Your Free Case ReviewPersonal Injury Settlements:
$200,000
Personal injury settlement
$235,000
Slip and fall injury
$675,000
Product liability injury
$555,000
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