When you slip and fall, you may be overcome with embarrassment. However, a bruised ego is often the best outcome for these matters. Unfortunately, many people who slip and fall on unsafe premises can suffer severe injuries that impact them for years at a time. If you’ve been injured due to dangerous property conditions, understanding the statute of limitations you are granted to file a claim against the negligent party is critical. Keep reading to learn more about this process and why it’s in your best interest to connect with an experienced slip & fall lawyer in Sacramento, California to explore your legal options.
What Are the Most Common Forms of Premises Liability Claims?
Generally, the most common accident that happens on unsafe properties is slips and falls. This is often because of how many hazards can cause someone to lose their footing and suffer injuries.
In many instances, slips and falls can happen anywhere, from hospitals and municipal buildings to private properties and shopping centers. This could be because of wet spots on the ground, debris left on walkways, loose floorboards, broken tiling, unanchored carpeting, unsecured wires, or unsafe stairs, among others. Generally, any time unsafe conditions on the ground cause someone to lose their footing, it can be considered a slip and fall accident.
However, someone can also sustain a slip and fall-related injury because there are no handrails on a staircase or because there is inadequate lighting that leads them to slip, trip, or fall over something they would have seen with property illumination.
What Is the Statute of Limitations for a Slip and Fall in California?
In California, the statute of limitations for a slip and fall accident is two years from the date you sustained the injury. As such, it is imperative to understand that you must proceed with this claim quickly. Though this may seem like a lot of time, between receiving medical treatment and healing from the injuries you endured, this can move quickly.
Additionally, it’s essential to understand that if you sustained an injury on government property, like slipping and falling in your town post office, the statute of limitations is shorter when pursuing a claim against a government entity. If you wish to file a personal injury claim against a government agency for the injuries you sustained, you must file a formal Notice of Claim within 6 months of the accident.
Whether you’re filing a claim against a private entity or government agency, ensuring you adhere to the statute of limitations is critical. In many instances, you’ll find that failure to file within the statute relinquishes your right to use a claim or receive compensation for the injuries you endured. As such, connecting with an attorney as soon as possible following your injury is critical to ensure you can recover the funds you are entitled to. At the Law Offices of Dale R. Gomes, our team understands how painful and devastating suffering an injury due to someone else’s negligence can be. As such, we will do everything possible to help you navigate these matters and achieve the best possible outcome for your circumstances. Contact our firm today to learn more.