Yes, you can sue if you slipped and fell in a store in Los Angeles — but only if your fall happened because of the store’s negligence. California law gives you the right to hold property owners and corporations accountable when unsafe conditions on their premises cause serious injuries.

At The Law Offices of Gerald L. Marcus, we aggressively pursue full compensation for victims of slip-and-fall accidents throughout Los Angeles and Southern California.

We don’t play games with insurance companies. We build strong cases, demand accountability, and fight relentlessly until our clients are compensated for every dollar they deserve.

Understanding Slip and Fall Claims in Los Angeles

Slip-and-fall cases fall under California’s premises liability laws. These laws require property owners, store managers, and business operators to maintain reasonably safe conditions for anyone legally on their property — including customers and visitors.

When a business fails to do this, and someone is injured because of their negligence, that victim has the legal right to pursue compensation.

In a busy city like Los Angeles, where hundreds of thousands of residents and tourists shop daily in stores, malls, and restaurants, these accidents happen far more often than most people think.

Common Locations for Slip-and-Fall Accidents

• Grocery stores such as Ralphs, Vons, Trader Joe’s, or Whole Foods

• Retail giants like Target, Walmart, Home Depot, and Costco

• Department stores such as Macy’s, Nordstrom, or Ross

• Shopping centers and strip malls

• Fast-food restaurants and coffee shops like McDonald’s, Starbucks, or In-N-Out

• Movie theaters and entertainment venues

• Gas stations and convenience stores

No matter where your fall occurred, the law doesn’t give big corporations a free pass. If their carelessness caused you harm, you can sue — and win.

Who Can Be Held Liable for a Slip and Fall in Los Angeles?

Many victims assume the store itself is always responsible, but in reality, several parties may share liability, including:

• Store owners or corporate entities that failed to maintain safe conditions

• Property management companies responsible for day-to-day upkeep

• Maintenance or janitorial contractors who ignored hazards

• Landlords or commercial property owners

• Third-party vendors or delivery companies who created dangerous conditions

Our firm conducts a full investigation into every case. We gather surveillance footage, maintenance logs, and employee statements to determine who’s responsible — and we go after each one of them.

Examples of Store Negligence That Cause Falls

A slip-and-fall accident is rarely “just an accident.” It usually results from one of these preventable hazards:

• Wet or slippery floors without warning signs

• Spilled food or drinks not cleaned promptly

• Broken tiles, torn carpets, or uneven flooring

• Electrical cords or clutter blocking walkways

• Poorly lit aisles or stairways

• Missing or broken handrails

• Leaking refrigerators or coolers in grocery stores

• Recently mopped floors without barriers or signage

Even one small oversight can cause catastrophic harm. That’s why we hold negligent stores accountable — to make them fix their unsafe conditions and prevent future injuries.

Proving Negligence in a Los Angeles Slip-and-Fall Case

Winning a slip-and-fall case requires evidence. Under California law, you must prove:

1. The store owed you a duty of care.
   Businesses open to the public owe a duty to maintain reasonably safe conditions.

2. The store breached that duty.
   They failed to inspect, repair, or warn customers of hazards.

3. You suffered an injury.
   Medical records and expert testimony can prove your physical harm.

4. Their negligence caused your injuries.
   A clear link must exist between the unsafe condition and your fall.

At The Law Offices of Gerald L. Marcus, our legal team uses video footage, witness statements, inspection logs, and expert analysis to prove fault and maximize compensation.

Types of Slip-and-Fall Injuries We Commonly See

A simple fall can lead to devastating injuries — especially on hard tile or concrete surfaces. We’ve represented clients who suffered:

• Traumatic brain injuries (TBI) from hitting their head on the floor or shelf

• Spinal cord injuries resulting in paralysis or chronic pain

• Broken bones and fractures (especially hips, wrists, and ankles)

• Knee and shoulder tears like ACL, MCL, or rotator-cuff injuries

• Soft tissue damage, herniated discs, and nerve injuries

• Scarring and disfigurement

• Post-traumatic stress and emotional trauma

Even if you “feel fine” right after the fall, it’s vital to get checked by a doctor immediately. Some injuries, especially head and back injuries, worsen over time and become permanent.

What Compensation Can You Recover After a Slip and Fall?

Victims of store negligence can recover compensation for both economic and non-economic damages, including:

• Medical bills (emergency treatment, hospital stays, surgeries, physical therapy)

• Future medical expenses for ongoing care or rehabilitation

• Lost wages and future earning potential if you can’t work

• Pain and suffering and emotional distress

• Permanent disability or loss of enjoyment of life

Our firm doesn’t settle for quick payouts. We push for maximum results, whether through settlement or trial. We’ve recovered millions for Los Angeles injury victims, and we’ll fight to do the same for you.

What To Do Immediately After a Slip and Fall in a Store

If you’ve been injured in a store in Los Angeles, what you do next can make or break your case. Here’s what you should do:

1. Report the accident to the store manager and ask for a written incident report.

2. Take pictures and videos of the hazard, the area, and your injuries.

3. Get names and contact information of any witnesses.

4. Seek medical care immediately — even if symptoms seem minor.

5. Avoid giving statements to store employees or insurance adjusters.

6. Preserve your clothing and shoes — they can serve as evidence.

7. Contact a Los Angeles slip-and-fall lawyer right away.

The sooner you contact an attorney, the better your chances of preserving evidence before the store “fixes” the hazard or erases security footage.

How Long Do You Have to File a Slip and Fall Lawsuit in California?

Under California Code of Civil Procedure § 335.1, you generally have two years from the date of the accident to file a personal injury lawsuit.

However, there are exceptions:

• If the slip occurred on government-owned property (e.g., city-maintained sidewalks or public buildings), you may have only six months to file a claim.

• If the victim is a minor, the statute may be extended until they turn 18.

Waiting too long can destroy your claim. Witness memories fade, evidence disappears, and the store’s insurance company gains the upper hand.

Contact our firm immediately at 818-784-8544 so we can take over communication, preserve video evidence, and build your case while you focus on recovery.

Dealing With Insurance Companies

Never forget: insurance adjusters work for the store — not for you. Their goal is to pay you as little as possible. They may:

• Claim you were careless or not watching where you were going

• Argue that your injuries are exaggerated or unrelated

• Offer a quick lowball settlement hoping you’ll accept before realizing your case’s value

At The Law Offices of Gerald L. Marcus, we handle all insurance communications. We know their tactics and how to counter them with facts, evidence, and aggressive negotiation. If they still won’t pay fair value, we take them to court.

Real-World Example: Los Angeles Slip and Fall Case Results

One of our clients slipped on a wet floor at a large retail store in the San Fernando Valley. There were no warning signs, and security footage clearly showed employees walking past the spill multiple times before our client fell.

The store’s insurer initially denied liability. We filed suit, subpoenaed maintenance logs, and forced the store to turn over internal communications showing they knew about the leak for weeks.

Result: $1.4 million settlement before trial.

Every case is different, but the message is clear — evidence wins cases, and our firm knows how to find it.

Common Defenses Stores Use (and How We Beat Them)

1. “You weren’t watching where you were going.”
   We prove that reasonable customers shouldn’t be expected to spot hidden hazards or unsafe conditions.

2. “We didn’t know about the hazard.”
   We use inspection logs, time-stamped videos, and witness statements to show they should have known.

3. “The hazard just happened.”
   We prove how long the dangerous condition existed and that the store had plenty of time to fix it.

4. “You were wearing unsafe shoes.”
   We counter with expert testimony and real-world data showing negligence caused the fall — not footwear.

5. “Your injuries aren’t that serious.”
   We work with top medical experts to document every injury and its long-term impact on your life.

We’ve seen every defense tactic in the book — and beaten them all.

How Our Firm Builds a Winning Slip-and-Fall Case

When you hire The Law Offices of Gerald L. Marcus, you’re not just hiring a lawyer — you’re hiring an entire team of professionals dedicated to proving your case. Our process includes:

• Immediate investigation and evidence preservation

• Obtaining surveillance footage before it’s erased

• Interviewing witnesses and employees

• Inspecting the scene and documenting hazards

• Hiring experts in safety standards, engineering, and medical fields

• Calculating total damages, including future medical costs

• Negotiating aggressively with insurance companies

• Filing suit and litigating in court when necessary

We don’t rely on luck — we rely on strategy, preparation, and relentless advocacy.

What If You Were Partly at Fault?

California follows a “pure comparative negligence” rule. That means you can still recover damages even if you were partially responsible for the accident — your compensation is simply reduced by your percentage of fault.

Example:
If you’re awarded $100,000 but found 20% at fault, you can still recover $80,000.

Don’t let a store or insurer convince you that being “partly to blame” means you have no case. You still have rights — and we’ll fight to protect them.

Why Choose The Law Offices Of Gerald L. Marcus

For more than 38 years, our firm has been standing up to corporate defendants, major retailers, and billion-dollar insurance companies that try to bully injury victims into silence.

We’ve built a reputation throughout Los Angeles as aggressive, strategic, and relentless trial lawyers who know how to win tough cases.

Our Core Advantages

• Over $450 Million recovered for California accident victims

• Decades of experience in slip-and-fall and premises liability law

• No fees unless we win — you owe nothing unless we recover money for you

• Full-service legal team handling every detail from start to finish

• Proven courtroom record against some of the largest defense firms in the state

We don’t settle cheap. We don’t back down. We fight for justice — and results.

The Hidden Cost of Slip-and-Fall Injuries

Many victims underestimate the long-term impact of a “minor” fall. The reality: these injuries often lead to years of medical care, lost wages, and chronic pain.

Hospital visits, MRIs, physical therapy, injections, or surgeries can cost tens or hundreds of thousands of dollars. Some victims never fully recover, losing mobility or the ability to work in their chosen career.

That’s why you need an experienced attorney to calculate not just what you’ve lost today — but what you’ll lose tomorrow.

Slip-and-Fall Accidents Involving Elderly Victims

Older adults are especially vulnerable to serious injuries from falls. A fractured hip or head injury can lead to permanent disability or even death.

When a store’s negligence harms an elderly customer, we fight to recover every possible dollar — not just for medical costs, but for their loss of independence, emotional trauma, and diminished quality of life.

What Sets Our Firm Apart

While many law firms take a “volume” approach, signing hundreds of small cases and pushing quick settlements, we focus on results — not numbers.

Our firm treats every client like family. We answer calls, explain every step, and prepare each case as if it’s going to trial.

Because when insurance companies see our name on a demand letter, they know one thing: we mean business.

Your Questions Answered (FAQ Section)

Q: Can I still sue if I didn’t report the fall right away?
Yes, but it’s harder to prove. Report it as soon as possible and contact an attorney to start collecting evidence.

Q: What if I didn’t see a doctor immediately?
Delays can hurt your case, but you may still recover damages. The key is getting medical documentation as soon as possible.

Q: How long will my case take?
It depends on the complexity, but many slip-and-fall cases resolve in 6–18 months. Serious injury cases may take longer if litigation is required.

Q: How much is my case worth?
Every case is unique. The value depends on the severity of your injuries, medical costs, lost income, and long-term impact.

Q: Will I have to go to court?
Most cases settle before trial — but we prepare every case for trial to maximize your leverage.

Time Is Critical — Don’t Wait

Every day that passes can weaken your case. Stores erase security footage, clean up hazards, and train employees on what to say.

If you were injured in a Los Angeles store, the clock is ticking. Call The Law Offices of Gerald L. Marcus right now for a free consultation. We’ll investigate immediately, gather evidence, and fight for maximum compensation.

Contact The Law Offices of Gerald L. Marcus Today

📍 Serving all of Los Angeles County and the entire State Of California. 
📞 Call (818) 784-8544 for a free case evaluation. 
💬 Free Consultation | No Fees Unless We Win

We’re not afraid of big corporations. We’re not intimidated by insurance defense firms.
We fight to win — because justice isn’t optional.