Legal Question in Personal Injury in California
Sliping on busness side walk.
I slipped on the sidewalk leaving from a busness bldg.
This cement walk way was painted and it had no
barriers,signs of any kind,no taped off area,or any
thing showing that painting took place. walkway area is
25 or 35 foot long.I ckecked my self in to a doctor and
found that i haven,t broke any thing.But i have a swollen
wrist and a wretched knee.Of course i have red oil based
paint all over shoes,top and pants.--how do i handle this?
what amount would be in line?small claims?
Thank You
3 Answers from Attorneys
Re: Sliping on busness side walk.
I would say that the $5,000.00 jurisdictional limit would reasonably compensate you for your injuries. As far a liability is concerned, it might not be that simple. You may be required to prove the slipperiness coefficiency of the paint, or the building might be able to and you might find that the paint did not make the surface any more slippery than the sidewalk was without it. You must, however, nail down the questions of liability before you can expect to recover anything.
Re: Sliping on busness side walk.
I am guessing that the area was freshly painted... keep clothes, do not wash... get photos of the scene of the accident immediately, showing the fresh paint and the area where you fell (which would likely show the paint that came off onto your clothes)...
Then, call an attorney in your area right away...
Re: Sliping on busness side walk.
Slip and falls are tough to prove liability. However, with the evidence you state, it may be possible to recover, but with limited injury and limited medical expenses, your damages are also small - pmt of expenses plus a similar amount for pain and suffering.