What Should I Do After A Slip And Fall In A Store In Los Angeles?

After a slip and fall in a Los Angeles store, do three things immediately:

1. Get medical care and document symptoms (same day if possible).

2. Lock down evidence before it disappears (photos/video, witnesses, incident report, and store surveillance footage).

3. Do not give a recorded statement or sign anything for the store/insurer until you understand your injuries and your rights.

If you want help protecting your claim right now, call The Law Offices of Gerald L. Marcus at 818-784-8544 for a free consultation.

Top 10 FAQs

1) What should I do right after a slip and fall in a Los Angeles store?

Report it, photograph the hazard, get witnesses, get medical care, and preserve video/records immediately.

2) Should I ask the store for an incident report?

Yes. Get the report number, the manager’s name, and confirm the exact store location and time.

3) What if the store says “we don’t have video”?

Many systems overwrite quickly. You need preservation steps immediately and a clear request for all camera angles and time windows.

4) What if I didn’t go to the hospital the same day?

Still get evaluated as soon as possible. Delays can be used to argue you weren’t seriously hurt.

5) What if the store blames me?

California generally applies comparative fault principles, so blame-shifting is common. Evidence (video, photos, witness statements, inspection logs) matters.

6) What if there was a “wet floor” sign?

A sign doesn’t automatically eliminate liability. The questions become: where was it, when was it placed, was it visible, and was the area actually made safe?

7) What is “notice” and why does it matter?

“Notice” is whether the store knew or should have known about the hazard and failed to correct it. This is a core issue in many premises cases. California’s general duty of ordinary care is stated in Civil Code § 1714.

8) How long do I have to file a slip-and-fall lawsuit in California?

Many injury cases generally have a two-year statute of limitations under CCP § 335.1.

9) What if a public entity might be involved?

Claims against public entities often require a government claim within six months under Gov. Code § 911.2, and the City of Los Angeles publishes similar guidance.

10) Do I need a lawyer for a store slip and fall?

If you needed medical care, missed work, have ongoing symptoms, or the store/insurer is disputing fault—get legal advice fast, because evidence disappears and insurers control narratives early.

📞 818-784-8544 — Free consultation with the slip and fall attorneys at The Law Offices of Gerald L. Marcus.

The LA Store Slip and Fall Reality: Your Case Is a Race

Store cases are not won by “telling your story.” They’re won by proof.

The defense playbook is predictable:

• “We didn’t know it was there.”

• “It was obvious—watch where you’re going.”

• “It happened too fast for us to fix.”

• “You weren’t really hurt.”

• “No video exists.” / “It was overwritten.”

Your job (and your lawyer’s job) is to freeze the evidence before it disappears.

The Immediate Checklist: What To Do in the First 30 Minutes

1) Report it—before you leave

Ask for:

• the manager’s name

• incident report number

• store address/location details (aisle, entrance, restroom corridor, checkout area, etc.)

• exact time of the incident

Do not let them “handle it later.” The clock is ticking on video.

2) Photograph/video the hazard like a prosecutor

Get:

• wide shots showing the full area (lighting, aisle layout, nearby mats)

• close-ups of the hazard (liquid, debris, broken tile, torn mat, uneven flooring)

• angles showing lack of warning signs—or where signs were placed

• your footwear (soles), any wetness, and your clothing if it’s affected

• timestamps if possible

3) Get witnesses (name + number)

Employees and other shoppers leave fast. Don’t rely on “we’ll call you” or “we have cameras.” Get contact info.

4) Preserve physical evidence

Keep:

• shoes (don’t clean them)

• clothing (don’t wash right away)

• receipts showing you were there

• anything that shows what happened (bandages, braces, discharge paperwork)

5) Don’t argue with employees

Stay calm. Ask for documentation and medical help if needed. Heated exchanges become “customer was aggressive/confused” notes.

📞 If you’re unsure what to do next, call 818-784-8544.

What To Do in the First 24 Hours

6) Get medical care and be specific about symptoms

Tell the provider:

• where you fell and how

• what hurts now (and what changed over the next few hours)

• dizziness, headaches, neck/back pain, wrist/hip/knee pain, numbness/tingling

A same-day evaluation helps protect both your health and your claim.

7) Write a “fresh memory” summary

While it’s fresh, write:

• exact location in the store

• what you saw (liquid? grapes? oil? wax? broken tile? curled mat?)

• what you didn’t see (no sign? no cones? poor lighting?)

• what employees said (especially “we’ve been meaning to clean that” or “someone spilled earlier”)

8) Do not give a recorded statement to the insurer

Insurance calls come early and sound “helpful,” but they’re designed to:

• lock you into details before you know your injuries

• create inconsistencies

• push fast, cheap settlements

A recorded statement can sink value. Get legal guidance first.

9) Don’t sign releases or medical authorizations from the store/insurer

Broad authorizations can turn into fishing expeditions into unrelated medical history. Keep control.

What Makes a Store Liable in California?

Most store slip-and-fall claims revolve around the store’s duty to use ordinary care and prevent unreasonable harm—California’s general duty language is reflected in Civil Code § 1714.

In plain English, the fight is usually about:

A) Was there a dangerous condition?

Wet floors, leaks, spilled drinks, broken tile, uneven flooring, torn mats, clutter, poor lighting, neglected maintenance.

B) Did the store “have notice”?

Did they know about it (actual notice) or should they have known with reasonable inspections (constructive notice)? Premises liability jury instructions commonly focus on whether a defendant knew or should have known of the condition and failed to address it.

C) Did the condition cause the fall and the injuries?

This is where medical documentation and consistent reporting matters.

Translation: evidence, inspection practices, and timeline win cases.

Store Slip and Fall Traps That Destroy Good Claims

Trap #1: Leaving without documentation

No report + no photos + no witnesses = the store controls the narrative.

Trap #2: Waiting “to see if it gets better”

Delays create the defense argument: “If it was real, they’d have sought care.”

Trap #3: Posting on social media

Even innocent posts get weaponized (“seems fine to me”).

Trap #4: “I’m okay” statements

People say it out of shock. Insurers repeat it forever.

Trap #5: Assuming video will be saved

It often isn’t unless steps are taken immediately.

📞 818-784-8544 — protect your claim before the evidence disappears.

Deadlines That Matter (Don’t Guess)

Standard injury deadline

California’s general personal injury statute of limitations is two years under CCP § 335.1.

Public entity deadline (can be much faster)

If the fall involves a public entity (some properties/operations can be public), government claim rules can require action within six months under Gov. Code § 911.2, and the City of Los Angeles publishes similar claim-timing guidance.

Do not assume you have “plenty of time.” Evidence fades long before deadlines hit.

When to Call a Lawyer

Call a premises liability lawyer immediately if:

• you hit your head, lost consciousness, or have dizziness/headaches

• you have fractures, surgery recommendations, or significant swelling/bruising

• you missed work or can’t perform job duties

• the store denies fault or claims “no hazard existed”

• there were no warning signs or the area was poorly maintained

• the store or insurer is pressuring you to settle fast

📞 The Law Offices of Gerald L. Marcus: 818-784-8544

The Law Offices Of Gerald L. Marcus — Free Consultation

If you slipped and fell in a Los Angeles store, don’t let the store or insurer control the timeline. A strong case starts with evidence preservation, notice proof, and medical documentation—immediately.

📞 Call 818-784-8544 for a free consultation.