Slip and Fall Lawyer
Holding Property Owners Accountable
Legal review by Frank D. Penney, founding attorney · Last updated
Fighting for Slip and Fall Victims Throughout California
Slip and fall accidents can happen anywhere - at a grocery store, shopping mall, restaurant, or even a friend's home. When property owners fail to maintain safe conditions, innocent visitors can suffer serious injuries including broken bones, head trauma, spinal cord injuries, and more.
Under California premises liability law, property owners have a legal duty to keep their property reasonably safe for visitors. When they breach this duty and someone gets hurt, they can be held financially responsible. At Frank Penney Injury Law, we help slip and fall victims hold negligent property owners accountable and recover the compensation they deserve.
What Is My Slip and Fall Case Worth?
Get an instant, no-obligation estimate of your slip and fall case value, then call (888) 888-0566 for a free, personalized review.
Disclaimer: The estimate provided by this calculator is based on general statistical data and is not a guarantee of any outcome. Case values vary significantly based on individual facts and circumstances. This tool does not create an attorney-client relationship. For a personalized assessment, call us at (888) 888-0566 or submit a free consultation request.
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Results That Speak for Themselves
Over $1 billion recovered for injury victims across California. A sample of our case results:
$10.5M
Wrongful Death
$4.5M
Motorcycle Accident
$3.4M
Truck Accident
$2.41M
Auto Accident
$1.2M
Pedestrian Accident
Any case results shown represent individual experiences and outcomes. These results are not a guarantee or prediction of the outcome of your case. Individual results may vary based on the unique circumstances of each case. See full disclaimer.
Common Causes of Slip and Fall Accidents
Slip and fall accidents can result from many different hazardous conditions. Property owners must address these dangers or warn visitors of their presence.
Wet Floors
Spills, leaks, recently mopped floors, and rainwater tracked inside without proper warning signs.
Uneven Surfaces
Cracked sidewalks, potholes, uneven flooring, and transitions between different floor types.
Poor Lighting
Dimly lit stairwells, parking lots, hallways, and entryways that make hazards difficult to see.
Broken Stairs/Handrails
Damaged steps, missing handrails, loose banisters, and poorly maintained staircases.
Parking Lot Hazards
Potholes, crumbling pavement, unmarked curbs, and debris in parking areas and garages.
Ice and Snow
Failure to clear ice, snow, or frost from walkways, stairs, and building entrances.
Loose Carpeting
Torn or bunched carpets, loose floor mats, and unsecured area rugs that create trip hazards.
Cluttered Walkways
Merchandise, boxes, cords, and other obstacles blocking aisles and walking paths.
Understanding Property Owner Responsibility
Under California law, property owners and occupiers have a legal duty to maintain their premises in a reasonably safe condition. This includes businesses, landlords, homeowners, and government entities. When they fail to uphold this duty, they can be held liable for injuries that occur on their property.
To establish liability in a slip and fall case, we must prove that the property owner knew or should have known about the dangerous condition, failed to repair it or adequately warn visitors, and that this failure directly caused your injuries.
Property owners often try to shift blame onto the injured person. Our experienced attorneys know how to counter these tactics and build a strong case for maximum compensation.
Property owners must:
- Regularly inspect their property for hazards
- Promptly repair dangerous conditions
- Provide adequate warnings of known hazards
- Maintain adequate lighting in common areas
- Keep walkways clear and in good repair
Why Choose Frank Penney Injury Law
When you've been injured in a slip and fall accident, you need a law firm with the experience, resources, and dedication to fight for you.
Proven Track Record
With over $1 billion recovered for our clients, we have the experience and results to back up our reputation. We've helped countless slip and fall victims get the compensation they deserve.
No Upfront Costs
We work on a contingency fee basis, which means you pay nothing unless we win your case. We advance all costs and only get paid when you receive compensation.
Thorough Investigation
We investigate every aspect of your case, gathering surveillance footage, maintenance records, incident reports, and witness statements to build the strongest case possible.
Aggressive Negotiation
Insurance companies know we're willing to take cases to trial. This leverage helps us negotiate maximum settlements for our clients without unnecessary delays.
Personalized Attention
Unlike large firms that treat clients like numbers, we provide personalized attention to every case. You'll work directly with experienced attorneys who know your situation.
Local Expertise
With offices and service areas across California, we know the local courts, judges, and insurance adjusters. This local knowledge gives our clients a strategic advantage.
California Slip and Fall Law: What You Need to Know
Slip and fall claims are premises liability cases with their own rules of proof. Here is what matters.
Two-Year Filing Deadline
Under California Code of Civil Procedure § 335.1 you generally have two years from the date of the fall to file a lawsuit (as little as six months if the property is owned by a government entity).
Proving Premises Liability
Under California Civil Code § 1714, property owners owe a duty of reasonable care. To win, you generally must show the owner knew or should have known about the dangerous condition and failed to fix it or warn you.
Comparative Negligence
California's pure comparative negligence rule means even if you were partly at fault — say, not watching where you stepped — you can still recover; your award is reduced by your share of fault, not barred.
Not sure what your claim could be worth? Try our case value calculator, read the latest California accident news, or explore our injury law blog. We serve clients in Sacramento, Roseville, Oakland, and across Northern California.
Slip and Fall FAQs
How long do I have to file a slip and fall claim in California?
In California you generally have two years from the date of the fall to file a personal injury lawsuit (California Code of Civil Procedure § 335.1). If the property is owned by a government entity, you may have as little as six months to file a claim, so it is important to speak with an attorney quickly.
What do I have to prove in a slip and fall case?
You generally must show that the property owner owed you a duty of care, that a dangerous condition existed, that the owner knew or should have known about it and failed to fix it or warn you, and that the condition caused your injury.
The store says I wasn't watching where I was going — can I still recover?
Often, yes. California's pure comparative negligence rule means you can recover even if you were partly at fault; your compensation is simply reduced by your percentage of fault rather than barred entirely.
How much does it cost to hire Frank Penney Injury Law for a slip and fall case?
Nothing upfront. We work on a contingency fee, which means you pay no attorney fees unless we recover compensation for you. The initial consultation is always free.
What Our Clients Say
Real five-star reviews from clients on our Google Business Profile.
Was involved in a car accident not my fault and I called Penney and they got me in right away. Josh my lawyer at Frank Penney fought hard for me. They were able to get me 5 times the settlement originally offered by State Farm. Couldn't be happier.
I was assigned to Mark McCauley and have been impressed with his work-ethic and caring demeanor since our very first meeting. Over the last 18 months, I have had extensive treatment all because Mark was willing to push even when my insurance company resisted. I will continue to recommend Frank Penney Injury Lawyers to anyone that is in need of an exemplary attorney.
If you have been in an auto accident, seek out Frank Penney Injury Lawyers. They are the best at what they do. A very special thanks to Joshua Boyce — my guiding star, the man in my corner, and an incredible and caring human being.
My case was a motor vehicle accident involving a motorcycle and car — I broke my femur. In the end, the opposing party was negligent and I won the case and earned the maximum settlement offered by the opposing insurance company. Stop looking around and choose Frank Penney Injury Lawyers.
I feel so blessed to have had Frank Penney Injury Lawyers represent me after I was injured in an auto accident. I was a victim of a hit and run and I am so thankful I found them to help. My attorney, Mark, was so responsive and made sure I received updates on my claim.
From the very beginning, the team was professional, compassionate, and always made me feel like a priority. Frank and his staff truly cared about my recovery and worked hard to make sure I received a fair settlement. I'm so grateful for their dedication and highly recommend them to anyone in need of a reliable and trustworthy personal injury lawyer!
Working with Frank Penney as my personal injury attorney has been an amazing experience. He's dedicated and fights hard for his clients. I would highly recommend Frank Penney Injury Lawyers and his team to anyone needing a trustworthy and powerful firm.
Mark McCauley was just astounding. He fought hard for me and my settlement was more than I thought possible. If you are looking for a personal injury attorney, make them your first call.
I can't say enough about Frank Penney Injury Lawyers and all the hard work they put into winning my case. I am very impressed on how they got such a great settlement for me and my daughter. They will be my personal injury lawyer for life.
Frank Penney and his team seriously came through for me. I got rear ended on the freeway, and had no idea what to do next. They handled everything — paperwork, calls, negotiations — and when the settlement hit, I was astonished.
While stopped at a red light, a very high speed motorcycle went into the back of my car, completely totaling my vehicle and creating significant injuries for me. From the very first call to Frank Penney Injury Lawyers, I felt sympathy, compassion and a desire to help me. I could not have asked for a better legal team in my corner.
After I was injured in a substantial rear-end collision, the other insurance company fought hard to avoid accepting responsibility — but James and Priscilla fought both harder and smarter on my behalf. I was shocked when my case ultimately went all the way to trial, but James delivered a solid victory — a victory that not only met but exceeded our last demand.
Joshua, at Frank Penny Injury Lawyers, handled my very complex injury case as if I was part of their family. His dedication and thoroughness resulted in a settlement that will help me overcome the injuries and complications I had suffered. Thanks again, Frank Penney and Staff.
I was in a car accident and rear ended. My chiropractor actually referred me to Frank Penney! They lined me up with the medical help I needed and negotiated a great settlement for me in a timely manner. Highly recommended.
Me and my husband got into a car accident back in October 2020. We went with Frank Penny Injury Lawyers because they're only the best around! We closed our case without having to go to court. Thank you Frank Penny Injury Lawyers — we were very pleased!
Testimonials reflect the individual experiences of past clients and are not a guarantee or prediction of the outcome of your case. See full disclaimer.