San Francisco Slip and Fall & Trip and Fall Accident Lawyers
A slip and fall or trip and fall accident in San Francisco can cause far more than a temporary setback. Falls often lead to serious injuries including fractures, head trauma, back injuries, and long-term mobility issues – especially for older adults. And unlike many accident cases, fall claims are often won or lost on evidence: what caused the fall, how long the hazard existed, and whether the property owner knew (or should have known) about it.
At The Hassell Law Group, our San Francisco slip and fall and trip and fall accident lawyers have spent more than 90 years helping injured people hold negligent property owners and businesses accountable. We build cases the way insurers fear most: thorough investigation, strong evidence, and trial-ready preparation.
Free consultation. No fee unless we win.
Our San Francisco Slip and Fall & Trip and Fall Case Results
Falls are frequently disputed. Property owners and insurers often argue “we didn’t know,” “it wasn’t dangerous,” or “you weren’t watching where you were going.” Our results show what’s possible when the case is built correctly.
$4,600,000 result – Trip and fall (commercial property walkway hazard)
Recovered for a Bay Area physician who sustained an impalement injury to their dominant hand after tripping on a landscaping rock protruding onto a commercial walkway landing on an exposed bolt.
$1,500,000 result – Trip and fall inside market entryway
Obtained for a 73-year-old man who tripped on a box full of product left inside a market doorway, suffering a femur fracture requiring surgery. He experienced post-surgical complications and was hospitalized for 43 days. Loss of consortium was also pursued for his wife.
$1,000,000 result – Raised concrete walkway (three surgeries)
Secured for a 66-year-old client who suffered a serious injury requiring surgeries after tripping on a raised sidewalk panel at a commercial property.
$890,000 result – Contested liability construction site fall
Recovered in a contested-liability case where a general contractor fell through an opening on a second floor. The client suffered a back injury requiring surgery, and fractured his heels.
$825,000 settlement – Dangerous San Francisco sidewalk slip and fall
Secured against a homeowner for a client who slipped and fell on a slippery sidewalk and suffered a serious ankle injury requiring surgery and later removal of surgical hardware.
$750,000 settlement – Negligent property maintenance fall
Recovered in a disputed liability case for a 70-year-old client who suffered a femur fracture requiring surgery due to negligent property maintenance.
Slip and Fall vs Trip and Fall: Why the Difference Matters
“Slip” and “trip” cases are both premises liability claims, but the proof often differs:
- Slip and fall cases frequently involve liquids, spills, freshly mopped floors, greasy surfaces, wet entryways, leaks, or inadequate floor mats/signage.
- Trip and fall cases often involve raised concrete, uneven flooring, broken steps, obstructions, cluttered walkways, poor lighting, missing handrails, or protruding hazards (like landscaping features).
The evidence you need—and how we prove negligence—depends on which type of fall occurred.
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What You Must Prove in a San Francisco Fall Case
Most premises liability cases come down to a clear framework. To recover compensation, you generally must show:
- A dangerous condition existed (spill, broken step, raised sidewalk, obstruction, etc.)
- The owner/manager knew or should have known about it (actual or constructive notice)
- They failed to fix it, clean it, block it off, or warn people within a reasonable time
- The condition caused your fall and injuries
- You suffered damages (an injury, medical bills, lost income, pain and suffering, etc.)
Property owners often claim they didn’t know. We focus on proving notice through evidence-because that’s where many fall cases are won.
Evidence That Can Make or Break Your Case
Fall cases are evidence-driven, and time matters. Video footage may be overwritten. Hazard conditions may be repaired. Witnesses may disappear.
Key evidence often includes:
- Surveillance video (often overwritten in days, not weeks)
- Incident reports created by store/security staff
- Inspection/cleaning logs and maintenance schedules
- Work orders and repair history
- Prior complaints or similar incidents
- Photos of the hazard, lighting, signage, and walkway layout
- Witness statements and employee admissions
- Medical records showing injury
If you can, photograph the scene immediately or soon after and contact a lawyer quickly to preserve evidence.
Who Can Be Held Liable for a Fall in San Francisco?
Liability often depends on who controlled the area where you fell. Responsible parties may include:
- Commercial property owners (stores, restaurants, hotels, malls)
- Tenants/business operators (the business that occupies the space)
- Property management companies
- Maintenance/janitorial contractors
- Construction companies or site operators
- Homeowners and landlords
- Government entities (sidewalks, transit areas, public buildings)
A common defense is finger-pointing: “That wasn’t our responsibility.” We investigate who had ownership and control, applicable contracts, maintenance duties, and operational practices to identify the parties who should be held accountable.
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Deadlines to File a Slip and Fall or Trip and Fall Claim in California
In California, the time limit to bring a slip and fall or trip and fall injury claim depends on who owns or controls the property where the accident occurred.
Falls on Private Property
In most cases involving private property – such as residences, grocery stores, restaurants, apartment buildings, or commercial properties – you generally have two years from the date of the accident to file a personal injury lawsuit.
Falls on Public Property (City, County, State, or Other Government Property)
If your fall happened on public property – such as city owned sidewalks, public buildings, or transit-related property – you may be required to file a government claim within six months of the date of injury. These claims often run on much shorter deadlines.
Government claims also involve additional procedural steps and deadlines, so it’s important to speak with a lawyer as soon as possible to protect your rights.
Falls on Sidewalks or Public Property
Some falls happen on public sidewalks, city buildings, transit areas, or other government-controlled property. These cases can entail special procedures and shorter deadlines than standard injury claims.
If your fall happened on public property, it’s critical to speak with a lawyer promptly so your rights are protected.
Why Falls Are Common in San Francisco
San Francisco has unique risk factors that increase fall hazards:
- Older buildings with worn stairs, thresholds, and handrails
- Steep grades and irregular sidewalk surfaces
- High foot traffic and dense retail corridors
- Wet entryways during rainy periods
- Ongoing construction and temporary walkway changes
Premises owners and managers have a duty to keep walking areas reasonably safe – especially where hazards are foreseeable.
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Common Slip and Fall & Trip and Fall Injuries
Falls can cause severe injuries, including:
- Femur/hip fractures (often requiring surgery)
- Wrist and arm fractures
- Head injuries and traumatic brain injuries
- Back injuries and herniated discs
- Spinal injuries and nerve damage
- Torn ligaments and serious ankle/knee injuries
- Long-term mobility impairment
Even injuries that seem “minor” at first can worsen over time. Seeking immediate medical treatment is important. Medical documentation is critical for proving damages and that injury was sustained.
Compensation Available in Slip and Fall & Trip and Fall Cases
Depending on your case, compensation may include:
- Medical bills (ER, surgery, rehabilitation, follow-up care)
- Future medical treatment
- Lost wages and reduced earning capacity
- Pain and suffering
- Emotional distress
- Disability or permanent impairment/disfigurement
- Loss of consortium (in appropriate cases)
We work to ensure your claim reflects not only what happened – but what the injury will cost you in the months and years ahead.
What Happens When You Hire The Hassell Law Group
When you hire our firm, we handle the heavy lifting:
- Free case evaluation
- Case strategy
- Evidence preservation (video requests, incident reports, witness outreach)
- Liability investigation (notice, control, maintenance duties, hazard history)
- Medical documentation + damages valuation
- Aggressive negotiation with insurance companies
- Litigation and trial if the insurer refuses to offer fair compensation
We prepare our cases in a way insurers take seriously – because that’s how you maximize settlement value.
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Frequently Asked Questions
How do I prove the property owner knew about the hazard?
We prove “notice” through evidence like surveillance video, inspection/cleaning logs, repair history, prior complaints, and witness testimony – often showing the condition existed long enough that it should have been corrected. We also have other methods we use for proving liability in cases like these.
What if there were no witnesses?
Cases can still succeed. Photos, video footage, incident reports, and medical documentation can establish what happened. Early investigation is key.
What if the store says it isn’t their fault?
Liability often turns on who controlled the area and who had maintenance duties. We investigate ownership, leases, contracts and operational responsibility.
What if I was partly at fault?
California’s comparative fault rules may still allow recovery. Insurers often try overstate fault to reduce payouts – we combat that with evidence. Partial fault will not bar your recovery or claim for injury caused by a dangerous condition.
What if I fell on a sidewalk?
Sidewalk cases depend on whether the area was controlled by a private property owner, a business, or a public entity. These cases can sometimes involve special rules and faster deadlines, so don’t wait, contact our firm promptly after an accident for a free consultation.
Related Practice Areas
San Francisco Car Accident Lawyers
San Francisco Truck Accident Lawyers
San Francisco Pedestrian Accident Lawyers
San Francisco Uber & Lyft Accident Lawyers
San Francisco Bicycle Accident Lawyers
San Francisco Motorcycle Accident Lawyers
San Francisco Premises Liability Lawyers
Contact Our San Francisco Slip and Fall & Trip and Fall Accident Lawyers
If you were injured in a slip and fall or trip and fall accident, you need clear answers and a law firm that knows how to win evidence-driven premises liability cases.
Call The Hassell Law Group today at (415) 334-4111 for a free consultation, or contact us online.
No fee unless we win.
The information on this website is not legal advice and does not constitute legal advice. For legal advice, you should consult directly with an attorney. If you contact us by telephone, email, letter, or by contact form submission through this website, please note that such communication does not create or constitute an attorney-client relationship. We cannot act as your attorney until we are hired as your attorney by a formal written agreement.