Choosing the right lawyer matters, especially when your injuries are serious and your future feels uncertain. We are a local firm with deep roots in Redding and the surrounding communities, but we bring resources and experience that rival any big-city practice.
People in Shasta County have trusted us with their most difficult cases for four decades, and we take that trust seriously. Here is what sets our team apart:
- Local knowledge that matters. We know the judges, the courthouses, the expert witnesses local juries find credible, and the way these cases tend to play out in our area.
- A real trial practice. We are not a settlement mill. When a case needs to be tried, we try it, and our willingness to go to court often encourages fair settlements before that becomes necessary.
- A track record that speaks for itself. Thousands of clients, more than $600 million recovered, and the largest single plaintiff jury verdict in Shasta County history.
- Honest case evaluations. We will tell you candidly what we think of your case, including its strengths and its weaknesses.
- Resources for high-value claims. We are built to handle catastrophic injury cases that demand significant investigation, expert testimony, and legal firepower.
If you are looking for steady, experienced counsel after a fall, we are ready to help. Call (530) 241-0290 today for a free, confidential conversation about what happened.
Understanding Slip and Fall Cases in Redding
Slip and fall cases fall under premises liability, which simply means property owners have a legal duty to keep their property reasonably safe for people lawfully on it. When they fail to meet that duty, they can be held financially responsible for the harm that follows.
The common thread in these cases is that something on the property created a danger and the people in charge either knew about it or should have known.
California law on this subject is laid out in part through California Civil Code Section 1714, which establishes the general duty to use reasonable care to avoid harming others.
Property owners are not automatically responsible every time someone falls, but they can be held accountable when their carelessness causes serious injuries.
Common Causes of Slip, Trip, and Fall Injuries
Falls can happen almost anywhere, and the causes are often preventable. Tourism is one of our area’s biggest industries, which means visitors and locals alike spend time at hotels, restaurants, marinas, and attractions where safety should always come first.
When property owners cut corners, the people who pay the price are the ones just trying to enjoy a meal, run an errand, or take in the view from the Sundial Bridge.
Some of the most common hazards we see in Redding slip and fall cases include:
- Wet, slippery, or recently mopped floors without warning signs
- Spilled food, drinks, or other liquids left on grocery store and restaurant floors
- Uneven sidewalks, cracked pavement, and potholes
- Broken or missing handrails on stairs and ramps
- Loose carpeting, torn mats, or curled rug edges
- Poor lighting in stairwells, hallways, parking lots, and walkways
- Cluttered aisles, merchandise spills, or items left in walking paths
- Snow, ice, or rainwater that was not addressed in a reasonable time
- Damaged or warped flooring, including loose tiles and floorboards
These hazards are usually easy to fix once someone notices them. The legal question is often whether the owner knew or should have known about the danger and failed to act. A careful investigation by your Redding slip and fall lawyer can help answer that question.
Serious Injuries from a Fall
People sometimes assume that a fall is no big deal. But the truth is that falls can cause life-changing injuries, especially when someone lands hard on a tile floor, concrete sidewalk, or stairs.
We have seen clients come to us after what seemed like a simple fall and learn that the consequences would follow them for years.
Common injuries from slip, trip, and fall accidents include:
- Traumatic brain injuries, including concussions and more severe brain trauma
- Spinal cord injuries that can lead to partial or complete paralysis
- Broken hips, especially in older adults
- Fractured wrists, arms, ankles, and legs
- Torn ligaments, sprains, and serious soft tissue damage
- Cuts, lacerations, and disfiguring scars
- Back and neck injuries, including herniated discs
We want to be clear: every case is different, and the path forward depends on what happened and how it has affected your life. We are here to help you understand your situation.
Who Can Be Held Accountable in a Redding Slip and Fall Accident?
One of the first questions we explore in any slip-and-fall case is who was responsible for the property where the fall occurred. The answer is not always obvious.
A fall at a shopping center might involve the store, the property management company, a cleaning contractor, or a maintenance company. A fall at a vacation rental might involve the owner, the rental platform, or a third party hired to maintain the premises.
Identifying potential liable parties takes experience, and it is part of what we do every day. We want to make sure no responsible party is overlooked.
Proving Fault in a California Slip and Fall Case
To recover compensation in a Redding slip and fall case, you generally need to show that the property owner or occupier was negligent. That means proving four basic things:
- Duty. The property owner owed you a duty to keep the property reasonably safe.
- Breach. The owner failed to meet that duty by allowing a dangerous condition to exist.
- Causation. The dangerous condition caused your fall and your injuries.
- Damages. You suffered real harm, such as medical bills, lost income, or pain and suffering.
California also follows a rule called comparative fault. Under this rule, even if you were partly responsible for your own fall, you can still recover compensation. Your award is simply reduced by your share of the fault.
So if a jury decides you were 20 percent responsible and the property owner was 80 percent responsible, you could still recover 80 percent of your damages.
Insurance companies often try to assign more blame to injured people than they deserve, which is one reason it helps to have an experienced advocate in your corner.
Compensation You May Be Able to Recover
Money cannot undo a serious injury, but it can ease the burden and help your family move forward. The compensation available in a slip and fall accident case depends on the specific facts, the seriousness of your injuries, and how the fall has changed your life.
Possible categories of compensation include:
- Past and future medical bills, including hospital stays, surgeries, and rehabilitation
- Lost wages and lost earning capacity if you cannot return to the same work
- Physical pain and emotional suffering
- Costs of in-home care, mobility equipment, or home modifications
- Loss of enjoyment of life and the activities you used to love
- Out-of-pocket expenses related to your injury
We work hard to make sure no part of your loss is overlooked. That includes looking ahead to future needs, not just today’s bills. A careful, well-documented case is the foundation for fair compensation.
How Long You Have to File a Claim in California
California sets a deadline for filing personal injury lawsuits, including slip and fall claims. This deadline is called the statute of limitations. Under California Code of Civil Procedure Section 335.1, most personal injury claims must be filed within two years of the date of the injury.
There are some important exceptions and shorter deadlines that can apply, especially if your fall happened on government property. Claims against a public entity often must be presented within just six months.
Because these deadlines can be unforgiving, it is wise to talk with a lawyer sooner rather than later. Waiting too long can mean losing the right to recover anything at all.
How Our Firm Handles Your Slip and Fall Case
We believe that good representation starts with listening. People come to us at hard moments in their lives, and we want every client to feel heard, respected, and informed. While each case is unique, our process generally follows a clear path so you always know what is happening.
- Your First Contact with Our Law Firm
When you reach out to us by phone or through our website, we make it easy to share what happened. There is no charge for this conversation, and nothing you tell us leaves our office. We will ask about your fall, your injuries, and how you are coping. If we are not the right fit, we will say so honestly.
- Our Attorney Contacts You
A member of our legal team follows up to learn more about your situation. We will ask thoughtful questions, gather basic facts, and answer the questions you have for us. We respect your time and your circumstances, and we will work around your schedule and your medical appointments.
- We Provide an Initial Assessment
Once we have enough information, we share our honest evaluation of your case. We will explain what we see as the strengths, the challenges, and the realistic possibilities. You will never get a sales pitch from us. You will get straight talk from lawyers who have handled cases like yours for decades.
- We Send a Demand Package to the Parties at Fault
If we move forward together, we build your case carefully. That includes gathering medical records, investigating the property, identifying witnesses, working with experts when needed, and preparing a thorough demand to the responsible parties and their insurers.
If they offer fair compensation, we discuss it with you. If they do not, we are fully prepared to take your case to trial.
This step-by-step approach lets you focus on healing while we focus on the legal work.
FAQs Answered by Our Redding Slip and Fall Accident Cases
Below are answers to some of the questions we often hear from people considering a slip-and-fall claim. If your question is not here, we are happy to talk it through with you directly.
How much does it cost to hire a slip and fall lawyer in Redding?
Our firm handles slip and fall cases on a contingency fee basis, which means you pay no attorney fees unless we recover compensation for you. Your initial consultation is also free.
This arrangement allows people to access experienced legal help without worrying about up-front costs during an already stressful time.
What if I fell on a public sidewalk or at a government building?
Claims against public entities follow special rules and tighter deadlines, often as short as six months. These cases can still succeed, but it is important to act quickly. Reaching out to a lawyer early gives you the best chance of preserving your rights.
How long do slip and fall cases usually take to resolve?
Every case is different. Some cases settle within months, while others take longer, especially when injuries are serious or liability is disputed. We focus on building strong cases rather than rushing them, because the right outcome is more important than a fast one. We will keep you informed at every stage.
Do I really need a lawyer if the insurance company is already offering a settlement?
Early settlement offers from insurance companies are often far below what a case is actually worth. Once you accept and sign a release, you typically cannot go back for more, even if your injuries turn out to be more serious than expected.
A free conversation with a lawyer before you sign anything can help you avoid costly mistakes.
What if my loved one fell and suffered a serious brain injury?
Brain injuries can change a person’s life and a family’s future. Our firm has handled many catastrophic injury cases, including those involving traumatic brain injuries from falls.
We bring in trusted medical and life-care experts to help document the full extent of the harm, so the compensation reflects what your family will truly need.
Let Our Redding Slip and Fall Accident Attorneys Help You Take the Next Step
Reiner & Frankel, LLP offers personalized legal solutions to all of your accident-related needs. No two cases are alike, and we know that every client has individual needs that should be met.
Our highly qualified team is committed to helping injured people in Redding and across Northern California pursue the maximum compensation available after a fall.
We hope you never need a personal injury lawyer. But if a serious fall has changed your life, we are here for calm, competent, and aggressive representation to right the wrong.
We will discuss the details of your fall, explore every aspect of what happened, and help you reclaim the compensation you deserve.
Contact us today (530) 241-0290 or reach out through our website for a free case evaluation with our team. The conversation is free, the call is confidential, and there is no obligation. We are ready when you are.
Redding
2851 Park Marina Dr #200
Redding, CA 96001
Phone: (530) 241-0290
