You don’t have to be doing anything risky to suffer a serious injury. Many trip and fall accidents happen in the most routine settings—walking on a cracked sidewalk near Magnolia Park, stepping into a dimly lit parking garage downtown, or navigating the entrance of a local grocery store. These seemingly minor hazards can lead to painful, costly, and even life-altering injuries.
Trip and fall accidents are more than just embarrassing moments—they’re a public safety concern. And in a vibrant, walkable city like Burbank, where foot traffic is constant around schools, shops, and businesses, the risk is widespread.
For older adults and individuals with preexisting conditions, the consequences of a fall can be particularly severe. A single trip can result in broken bones, head trauma, or long-term mobility issues. Even younger, healthy individuals may suffer sprains, lacerations, or back injuries that impact their ability to work or care for their families.
While many falls are just accidents, others are the result of unsafe property conditions that could—and should—have been prevented. In those cases, the property owner or manager may be legally responsible.
Trip and fall accidents fall under a broader area of law known as premises liability. In California, property owners—whether they’re homeowners, business operators, or public agencies—have a legal responsibility to keep their premises reasonably safe for visitors. When they fail to do so, and someone is injured as a result, the injured party may have a right to seek compensation for their losses.
Under California Civil Code § 1714, property owners must use “ordinary care” in the management of their property. That means identifying and fixing hazardous conditions within a reasonable time—or warning people of potential dangers until repairs can be made.
For example, a store owner who fails to fix a torn carpet or a landlord who ignores broken stairs may be held liable if someone trips and is injured. The key question is whether the owner knew or should have known about the danger and failed to take appropriate action.
The level of responsibility depends on the type of property:
Understanding who owns or controls the property where the fall occurred is an essential part of building a successful claim.
California law distinguishes between types of visitors, which affects the level of duty owed:
At Tim Wright Law, we carefully evaluate each case to determine if the property owner met their legal responsibilities and if negligence played a role in your injury.
To prove liability, it must be shown that the property owner knew, or reasonably should have known, about the dangerous condition and failed to fix it or warn others. For example, if a store manager is told about a broken tile in the entryway but chooses not to fix it, they could be liable when someone trips and gets hurt.
Even if the owner didn’t have actual knowledge of the hazard, they may still be responsible if a reasonable inspection would have uncovered it.
Time matters in trip and fall cases. If a dangerous condition—like a loose step, exposed wiring, or spilled substance—existed long enough that a reasonable person should have discovered it, the property owner may be held liable for not acting in time.
For instance, if a store employee fails to notice and clean up a spilled drink that’s been on the floor for an hour, that delay may be considered negligence.
Even if a hazard can’t be fixed right away, property owners are expected to warn visitors of potential dangers. This might include using a “Caution: Wet Floor” sign, marking a raised sidewalk edge with paint, or blocking access to a hazardous area.
Failing to warn or provide adequate barriers is a common factor in establishing liability in trip and fall cases.
Some cases clearly show property owner negligence:
However, more complex situations require legal investigation:
These nuanced cases require the experience and insight of a dedicated personal injury attorney. At Tim Wright Law, we know what evidence to look for and how to build a strong claim to hold negligent property owners accountable.
One of the most immediate and measurable losses after a trip and fall is the cost of medical care. Your claim can include:
These costs can quickly add up—especially if you require ongoing treatment. Documenting all related medical expenses is essential to recovering full compensation.
If your injuries prevent you from working, even temporarily, you may be able to recover lost wages. This includes the time you missed due to medical appointments, hospitalization, or recovery at home.
In more serious cases, you may also be entitled to compensation for lost earning capacity if your injuries limit your ability to work in the future or force you to change careers.
Some damages can’t be measured in dollars and cents—but they’re just as real. Trip and fall victims often experience:
These non-economic damages—commonly referred to as “pain and suffering”—can be included in your claim. California law recognizes that emotional and physical suffering have value, and your legal team can help quantify that impact.
In severe cases, a trip and fall injury can lead to permanent disability or a significant change in your day-to-day life. If you can no longer enjoy activities you once loved, care for your children, or maintain your previous lifestyle, you deserve compensation that reflects that loss.
At Tim Wright Law, we fight to make sure that every aspect of your injury—physical, financial, and emotional—is fully considered when building your claim.
Trip and fall accidents can have long-lasting consequences, especially when they result from a property owner’s failure to maintain a safe environment. Whether it’s a cracked sidewalk, poor lighting, or an unmarked hazard, these incidents are often preventable—and when they’re not, someone should be held accountable.
If you’ve been injured in Burbank because a property owner was negligent, you may have the right to recover compensation for your medical expenses, lost wages, pain and suffering, and more. But proving liability and navigating insurance negotiations isn’t something you should handle alone.
Trip and fall cases can be complicated—especially when property owners or their insurers try to deny fault. At Tim Wright Law, we understand the tactics they use, and we’re here to protect your rights. We offer personalized legal support, thorough investigations, and aggressive representation designed to maximize your recovery.
Contact Information:
📍 Tim Wright Law – Personal Injury Office
1112 W. Burbank Blvd., Suite 302
Burbank, CA 91506
📞 (323) 379-9995
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