Were you injured from a slip and fall on the sidewalk while you were entering or exiting a restaurant? Was the accident caused by a dangerous condition, like water on the sidewalk from the restaurant or something else that caused you to slip and fall down?
These incidents are quite common, and it can be challenging to figure out who is at fault when someone is injured on the sidewalk. One possible culprit is the restaurant, as they have a duty to maintain the property and ensure that’s it’s free of hazards that can result in an accident. Then again, it may be the city that’s to blame when a customer has a slip and fall leaving a restaurant. The key is to determine who is responsible for maintaining the sidewalk, but this is not easy to figure out on your own.
The slip and fall lawyers of Normandie have decades of experience in fall-related accident claims. Whether you are suing a business owner or an entity of the government, we have a dedicated legal team that’s ready to fight for you and the compensation you are owed as a victim of someone else’s negligence. Contact us today and schedule a free case evaluation.
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Who is at Fault – the Restaurant or the City?
When someone falls down and hurts themselves on a sidewalk, the ownership of the sidewalk, i.e., who is in charge of maintaining it, is a critical issue. This will determine who you can sue in the event that your accident was caused by negligence, like failure to remove ice and snow or water that’s leaking on the sidewalk from a broken pipe.
For the most part, property owners in California are responsible for sidewalks in front of the property, but the actual guidelines can differ from one city to another. Generally, there should be a maintenance agreement for each city that details which sidewalks the city is responsible for. In some cases, the city is responsible for certain repairs and maintenance issues, no matter who is liable for the sidewalk in front of a restaurant.
With that in mind, you should contact a sidewalk accident lawyer right away if you slipped and fell down as you were leaving or entering a restaurant. Our law firm is here to assist you 24/7, so reach out to us for a free consultation if you hurt yourself from a slip and fall.
Suing for a Slip and Fall While Exiting a Restaurant
Based on our experience, the majority of fall injuries on a sidewalk are blamed on the owner or operator of the property. So, there’s a good chance that the business owner is at fault if you slipped and fell down on the sidewalk in front of a restaurant. In these situations, you will need to file an accident claim with the restaurant’s insurance company. Doing so will require you to present medical evidence of the harm you suffered, so make sure to see a doctor within 48 hours. You must also file an accident report with the restaurant, which you can do before or after you go to the hospital, based on the severity of your injuries.
An insurance claim may seem like a simple matter, but these companies do not exist to help you. Their goal is to minimize their client’s liability for an accident and settle the claim for the lowest possible amount. This is why insurance adjusters engage in all sorts of manipulation and stall tactics, in the hopes that you will settle for whatever they offer. Or, you will become frustrated enough with the process to drop the claim altogether, or say or do something to compromise your right to a lawsuit.
To protect yourself and your right to monetary damages, contact our office and talk to a lawyer who can sue for slip and fall and trip and fall accidents. Let us take care of filing the necessary paperwork and negotiating a settlement on your behalf while you focus on recovering from your injuries.
Filing a Liability Claim against the City
If the party at fault is the city, you will need to obtain the paperwork for a compensation claim. The forms are normally found on the city’s website or at the County Clerk’s Office, but either way, it’s essential that you obtain the correct forms. Lawsuits against any entity of the government have specific procedures that you cannot deviate from; otherwise, your right to monetary damages will be invalidated.
Please be aware that you only have 6 months starting from the accident date to submit your claim. This deadline applies to all government entities at the city, county, and state level. After your claim is processed by the appropriate agency, you should receive a rejection or acceptance notice within 45 days. If your claim is rejected by the city, you have 6 months to file a personal injury lawsuit. You can also file a lawsuit if 45 days have passed and there is no written response from the city. This is quite rare, but if it does happen, you have a deadline of 2 years from the date of injury to file a lawsuit.
These are just some of the complications that make these lawsuits difficult. A government claims accident attorney can help you navigate the legal system and secure the payment you are entitled to.
Contact a Slip and Fall Lawsuit Attorney
Going to a restaurant should not result in a life-altering accident, but that’s precisely what can happen when there are dangerous conditions on the sidewalk. Our law firm is here to guide you through the legal process and bring you every penny you deserve from a sidewalk slip and fall injury claim.
As one of our clients, you never have to pay out of pocket, since we have a Zero Fee Guarantee. As long as we recover your settlement, a portion of it will be deducted to cover legal fees. If we don’t win your lawsuit, we make absolutely nothing, so your finances are never at risk.
A restaurant slip and fall accident lawyer is waiting to assist you, so contact Normandie Law Firm and schedule a free case review.
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