California law requires businesses like Target to take reasonable steps to maintain safe properties and protect customers from foreseeable hazards. If you were injured because a Target store failed to uphold this duty, a Los Angeles slip and fall accident lawyer can help you seek damages.
The attorneys at Sweet James have over 25 years of experience fighting for injury victims. If you were injured in a preventable accident at Target, a Target slip and fall accident lawyer in Los Angeles can help you pursue a fair settlement.
What a Los Angeles Target Slip and Fall Accident Lawyer Can Do for You
Holding someone else responsible for your slip and fall can be challenging. A California slip and fall accident lawyer from Sweet James can help you do so by:
- Preserving evidence: We can request surveillance footage, incident reports, maintenance records, cleaning schedules, and other evidence that may establish Target’s responsibility.
- Identifying witnesses: We can locate employees, customers, and other witnesses who saw the accident or noticed the hazardous condition that caused it.
- Calculating the value of your claim: We can evaluate your short-term and long-term damages and calculate your claim’s value.
- Handling insurance negotiations: We can communicate with insurance representatives and push for fair compensation on your behalf.
- Taking legal action: If the insurance company refuses to offer a reasonable settlement, we can file a lawsuit and represent you in Los Angeles Superior Court.
Types of Damages That May Be Available
A slip and fall accident lawyer from Sweet James can help you seek compensation for a variety of damages after a fall at Target, including:
- Medical expenses: You can seek compensation for emergency treatment, hospital stays, surgery, prescription medications, physical therapy, rehabilitation, and future medical care.
- Lost wages: You may recoup income you lost while attending medical appointments or recovering from your injuries.
- Reduced earning capacity: If your injuries prevent you from returning to your previous position or earning the same income, you can pursue compensation for diminished future earnings.
- Pain and suffering: You can seek damages for physical pain, discomfort, and the ongoing effects of your injuries.
- Emotional distress: Additional compensation may be available for anxiety, depression, sleep disturbances, and other emotional consequences of the accident.
- Loss of enjoyment of life: You may recover additional damages if your injuries prevent you from participating in hobbies, recreational activities, or other aspects of your normal routine.
- Punitive damages: In cases involving extreme negligence or malice, punitive damages may be available.
How Long Does It Take to Settle a Target Slip and Fall Claim?
The amount of time it takes to settle a Target slip and fall claim depends on the length of your medical treatment, whether the defendant disputes liability, and whether the insurance company is willing to negotiate. Some claims are resolved within a few months, while others take longer than a year.
A personal injury lawyer from Sweet James can help resolve your claim in a timely manner without compromising your settlement.
What Is the Statute of Limitations for Target Slip and Fall Claims in California?
The statute of limitations for Target slip and fall claims in California is generally two years from the date of your injury, according to CCP § 335.1. However, certain circumstances can change this filing deadline. For instance, if you experience delayed injuries, the two-year clock may not start until the day you discover (or reasonably should have discovered) those injuries.
Waiting until the deadline approaches can make it harder to collect surveillance footage, locate witnesses, and preserve other important evidence. In addition, if you don’t file a claim before the applicable statute of limitations expires, you will not be able to seek damages in court.
A Los Angeles Target slip and fall accident lawyer from Sweet James can help make sure you file your personal injury claim on time.
Common Injuries in Target Slip and Fall Accidents
A fall inside a retail store can cause a wide range of injuries. Common ones include:
- Broken bones: Falls can fracture wrists, arms, ankles, hips, and legs.
- Head injuries: Striking your head against the floor or nearby merchandise can cause concussions and traumatic brain injuries.
- Back and spinal cord injuries: A sudden fall can damage vertebrae, herniated discs, muscles, and nerves.
- Shoulder injuries: Landing on an outstretched arm can cause dislocations, rotator cuff tears, and serious fractures.
- Knee injuries: Twisting or striking your knee during a fall can damage ligaments, cartilage, and other supporting structures.
- Soft tissue injuries: Sprains, strains, bruises, and torn muscles can cause significant pain and limit your mobility.
- Wrist and hand injuries: People instinctively use their hands to break a fall, sometimes resulting in fractures, ligament damage, and nerve injuries.
If you sustained any of these in your fall, a Target slip and fall accident lawyer in Los Angeles from Sweet James can help you pursue compensation for your medical bills.
Steps to Take After a Target Slip and Fall Accident in Los Angeles
The steps you take immediately after an accident at Target can make or break your personal injury claim. Make sure to:
- Report the incident: Speak to a store manager or employee about your fall. Ask whether an incident report will be completed and request information about how to obtain a copy.
- Photograph the scene: Take pictures of the accident scene and the hazard that caused your fall before it is cleaned up or repaired.
- Speak to witnesses: Ask anyone who saw the accident or noticed the hazard beforehand for their contact information.
- Get medical help: Seek treatment at Dignity Health, Ronald Reagan UCLA Medical Center, or a local urgent care clinic. Your medical records will be important for your claim.
- Save your clothes: Keep the shoes and clothing you wore during the accident. Avoid cleaning or altering them until you have documented their condition.
- Keep medical and financial records: Save medical bills, treatment records, prescription receipts, pay stubs, and other documents showing how the accident has affected you.
- Be careful with insurance adjusters: When speaking to insurance adjusters, don’t discuss fault, minimize your injuries, or provide any recorded statements.
- Speak to a lawyer: Do not accept a settlement before consulting a Los Angeles personal injury lawyer from Sweet James. We can help ensure you don’t leave any money on the table.
Speak to a Target Slip and Fall Accident Attorney in Los Angeles
A serious fall can affect every aspect of your life, from your ability to work to your physical independence. If you or someone you love was injured in a fall at a Target store, a Los Angeles Target slip and fall accident attorney from Sweet James can help you build a strong personal injury claim and seek compensation for your losses.
Schedule a free case evaluation to find out how much your claim could be worth.
