A fall on a wet floor, broken stairs or a cracked sidewalk can mean broken bones and months of recovery, and the property owner’s insurer often moves quickly to shape the story. This page explains how slip and fall claims work in Los Angeles, and how our Los Angeles personal injury attorneys can help.
Looking for a Los Angeles slip and fall lawyer? B&D Law Group, APLC handles slip and fall and premises liability cases across Los Angeles, and the first consultation is free.
Private property owners and ordinary care
In California, everyone is responsible for injuries caused to another by a lack of ordinary care in managing their property or person (Civil Code section 1714). In a fall case, what we look at is whether a hazard existed, how long it was there, and whether the owner or manager knew about it or should have discovered it through reasonable inspection.
Evidence that disappears fast
- Photos of the hazard, the surrounding area and your footwear, taken as soon as possible
- Surveillance video from the store, building or street, which may be overwritten quickly
- The incident report, and the names of managers and witnesses
- Maintenance, cleaning and inspection logs for the area
- Medical records from the first visit forward
Falls on public property
Sidewalks, parks, stairways and public buildings are often owned by a public entity. A public entity is liable for injury caused by a dangerous condition of its property if the plaintiff establishes that the property was dangerous at the time of injury, that the condition caused the injury, that the risk was reasonably foreseeable, and that either an employee created the condition or the entity had actual or constructive notice of it in time to protect against it (Government Code section 835).
When the City of Los Angeles or another agency may be responsible
Falls on public property fall under the government claim rules, so the deadline is much shorter than for private property. California does not allow a lawsuit against a public entity until a written claim has been presented and acted on (Government Code section 945.4), and a claim for injury or death generally must be presented within six months of the incident (Government Code section 911.2). The City of Los Angeles accepts claims through the Office of the City Clerk online, by mail or in person at 200 North Spring Street, Room 395, City Hall, Los Angeles, CA 90012; the city does not accept claims by email or fax (see also the City Attorney claims page). Claims involving state roads, LA County or LA Metro go to those agencies, so identify the right one early.
Fault, deadlines and what a claim can cover
- Two years to file a lawsuit. Most California personal injury and wrongful death lawsuits must be filed within two years (Code of Civil Procedure section 335.1).
- Six months for government claims. If a public agency may share the blame, the written claim deadline is much shorter (Government Code section 911.2).
- Shared fault reduces, but does not bar, your claim. California follows pure comparative fault, so your compensation is reduced by your percentage of fault rather than eliminated (Li v. Yellow Cab Co. (1975) 13 Cal.3d 804).
Depending on the facts, a claim can seek compensation for medical bills, future care, lost income, reduced earning ability, property damage and the pain and disruption the injury has caused.
How a Los Angeles slip and fall case usually moves
- Free consultation. You tell us what happened and we explain your options. There is no attorney fee unless we recover compensation for you.
- Investigation. We gather the reports, photos, witness information, insurance details and your medical records.
- Claim and negotiation. We present the claim to the insurance company and negotiate for a fair settlement.
- Government claim if needed. If the City of Los Angeles or another public agency may share responsibility, we prepare the written claim before the six-month deadline.
- Lawsuit if needed. If the case does not settle, we file a lawsuit in the proper California Superior Court and keep pushing toward trial.
Cases we handle for people hurt in Los Angeles
Our personal injury attorneys represent people injured in Los Angeles in cases including:
You can also read about our past case results and what clients say about working with us.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a Los Angeles slip and fall lawyer cost?
The consultation is free. We handle personal injury cases on a contingency fee, which means no attorney fee unless we recover compensation for you.
How long do I have to file a slip and fall claim in Los Angeles?
Most California personal injury lawsuits must be filed within two years of the injury (Code of Civil Procedure section 335.1). If a city, county or state agency may be responsible, a written claim generally must be presented within six months (Government Code section 911.2).
What if I fell on a city sidewalk or other public property?
A public entity is liable for injury from a dangerous condition of its property only if the plaintiff proves the property was dangerous, the dangerous condition caused the injury, the risk was reasonably foreseeable, and either an employee created the condition or the entity had actual or constructive notice in time to act (Government Code section 835). A written claim is also required first, generally within six months (Government Code sections 945.4 and 911.2).
Should I report my fall to the property owner?
It is usually wise to report it to the owner or manager in writing and ask for a copy of any incident report, then take photos of the hazard and your footwear. Do not guess about fault in what you say or sign. Call us before giving a recorded statement.
What if I was partly at fault for the fall?
California follows pure comparative fault (Li v. Yellow Cab Co.). If you share some of the blame, your compensation is reduced by your share rather than barred.
Related pages and nearby areas
More ways we help injured people across Los Angeles County:
- Los Angeles car accident lawyer
- Los Angeles truck accident lawyer
- Los Angeles motorcycle accident lawyer
- Los Angeles pedestrian accident lawyer
- Los Angeles bicycle accident lawyer
- Los Angeles dog bite lawyer
- Los Angeles wrongful death attorney
- California premises liability attorneys
- Los Angeles personal injury attorneys
- Santa Monica personal injury lawyer
- Culver City personal injury lawyer
- Hollywood personal injury lawyer
- Inglewood personal injury lawyer
- Glendale personal injury lawyer
- Long Beach personal injury lawyer
- All California and Nevada areas we serve
Talk to a B&D Law Group attorney
B&D Law Group, APLC represents people hurt in Los Angeles from our Los Angeles office at 10700 Santa Monica Blvd, Suite 200, Los Angeles, CA 90025. The consultation is free, and we handle personal injury cases on a contingency fee, which means no attorney fee unless we recover compensation for you. Call (310) 424-5252 or send us your case details.
Attorney advertising. This page is provided for general informational purposes only and is not legal advice. Reading this page or contacting us does not create an attorney-client relationship. Agency procedures, fees and data on this page were checked against official sources in October 2026 and can change. Prior results do not guarantee a similar outcome.