Yes — you can sue the City of Los Angeles for a sidewalk fall if the city knew or should have known the sidewalk was dangerous and failed to fix it.

That’s the key. Under California’s Government Code § 835, the city is liable when its negligence causes injuries from a dangerous public condition — like a broken, uneven, or uplifted sidewalk.

At The Law Offices of Gerald L. Marcus, we’ve been taking on Los Angeles City Hall and winning for injured residents since 1987.

If you tripped on a cracked sidewalk, fell over a tree root, or broke a bone because the city didn’t maintain its walkways, we can help you fight back — fast, aggressively, and for the maximum compensation you deserve.

Why Sidewalk Falls Are So Common in Los Angeles

Los Angeles has one of the largest municipal sidewalk networks in America — over 10,000 miles. Many sections are decades old and damaged by tree roots, weather, or neglect.

Despite years of lawsuits and a major ADA settlement requiring repairs, the city still has tens of thousands of hazardous sidewalk spots awaiting fixes. That means every day, someone in LA gets hurt on a sidewalk the city already knew was dangerous.

Common hazards we see in sidewalk trip and fall cases include:

• Cracks and uplifted slabs from tree roots

• Missing or uneven sections

• Poor lighting at night

• Slippery surfaces from sprinklers or rain

• Construction zones without proper warnings

• Broken curbs or transition ramps

If you’ve ever walked in areas like Hollywood, Van Nuys, Koreatown, Downtown LA, or West Adams, you’ve seen these hazards everywhere. And if the city knew about them — or caused them — they can be held responsible.

When the City of Los Angeles Can Be Sued for a Sidewalk Fall

To win a sidewalk fall claim against the City of Los Angeles, you must prove:

1. A dangerous condition existed — for example, a slab raised more than ½ inch is a tripping hazard.

2. The city knew about it or should have known through regular inspections or citizen complaints.

3. The city failed to repair it in a reasonable time.

4. You were injured because of it.

City workers and departments get complaints about these defects all the time. If they ignore them, and someone gets hurt, the city is on the hook — plain and simple.

Strict Deadlines: You Must File a Claim Within 6 Months

Unlike normal injury cases, you can’t just file a lawsuit against the City right away. You first have to file a Government Claim within 6 months of your injury.

If you miss that deadline, you lose your right to sue — no exceptions. This claim process is handled through the Los Angeles City Clerk’s office and must include:

• The exact location of the fall

• A description of how it happened

• The extent of your injuries and medical costs

• Your intent to seek compensation

After you file, the city has 45 days to accept or deny the claim. If they deny it — which they almost always do — you then have 6 months to file a lawsuit in Los Angeles Superior Court.

This is why you need an experienced trip-and-fall lawyer immediately. We handle every step of the paperwork and fight to preserve your claim before the clock runs out.

What Evidence You’ll Need to Win a Sidewalk Fall Claim

The moment you fall, evidence starts disappearing. The city might repair the sidewalk the next day — or deny it ever existed. We move fast to lock down proof that makes the difference between a denial and a six-figure settlement.

Key evidence includes:

• Photos of the defect from multiple angles and measurements

• Witness statements or 911 call records

• Medical records showing your injuries and treatment

• City repair logs or service requests

• Expert reports on sidewalk safety standards

At Gerald L. Marcus Law, our investigators document everything, often within hours of the accident. We also subpoena public records to prove the city was on notice of the danger.

What Damages You Can Recover

If your claim is approved or your lawsuit wins, you can recover compensation for:

• Medical expenses (past and future)

• Lost wages and earning capacity

• Pain and suffering

• Permanent disability or disfigurement

• Wrongful death (if a loved one was killed)

Los Angeles has paid out millions in sidewalk fall settlements — including six-figure payouts to victims who broke bones or required surgery after tripping on known hazards.

Real-World Example

A local resident tripped on a raised sidewalk in South LA after filing a complaint the year before. The city never fixed it. Our firm proved the city had notice and won a major settlement covering all medical bills and lost income.

When the City knows and does nothing — we make them pay.

What If the Sidewalk Was on Private Property?

Some sidewalks in Los Angeles are technically adjacent to private homes or businesses. If the defect was in front of a store or apartment building, the property owner can also be liable for failing to maintain it.

Our team identifies every potential defendant — city, county, or private party — so you get the maximum recovery available.

How Gerald L. Marcus Builds Winning Trip-and-Fall Cases

We don’t wait for the city to do the right thing — we force it.

Our process includes:

1. Immediate on-scene inspection and evidence preservation

2. Filing a Government Claim within days, not months

3. Retaining engineers and safety experts to document the hazard

4. Aggressively negotiating with the City Attorney’s Office

5. Filing a lawsuit and taking the case to trial if necessary

We’ve been standing up to city bureaucracy for nearly 40 years — and we don’t back down until our clients get justice.

Top Neighborhoods Where Sidewalk Falls Happen in Los Angeles

• Downtown Los Angeles (Broadway, Spring St., 7th St.)

• Hollywood and West Hollywood

• Van Nuys and Sherman Oaks

• Echo Park and Silver Lake

• Mid-City and Koreatown

• South Los Angeles and Leimert Park

Targeted local content and Google Maps optimization help the firm appear for geo-modified searches like:

• “Sidewalk trip and fall lawyer Hollywood CA”

• “Broken sidewalk claim Van Nuys”

• “Sue the city for fall downtown Los Angeles”

Why Victims Lose These Cases — and How We Stop It

Most people lose sidewalk claims because they wait too long or can’t prove notice. We eliminate both problems by acting fast and digging deep into city records. We know exactly how to trace a defect back to prior complaints and repairs so the city can’t deny responsibility.

What To Do Right Now If You’ve Fallen on a Los Angeles Sidewalk

1. Get medical care immediately.

2. Take clear photos of the sidewalk defect.

3. Note the exact address and time.

4. Get names and numbers of witnesses.

5. Call The Law Offices of Gerald L. Marcus right away.

We’ll send an investigator to the scene immediately and file your Government Claim before you miss the deadline.

The Gerald L. Marcus Difference

• 38 + years fighting for the injured across Los Angeles

• Millions recovered in trip-and-fall and premises liability cases

• No fees unless we win

• 24/7 availability for injury victims

We fight City Hall and we win. Period.

Call Now Before Your Right to Sue Expires

If you’ve been injured on a sidewalk in Los Angeles, don’t wait. You have only 6 months to protect your claim.

Our lawyers are ready to take on the City and get you paid.

📞 Call 818-784-8544 for a free, no-obligation consultation.