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Concrete is an extremely resilient composite material used in building construction. When you fall on a concrete surface, the impact is bound to be severe due to the hard nature of the material. Unlike more forgiving surfaces such as carpet or grass, concrete does not absorb impact, which generally results in more serious injuries such as head trauma, back or neck injuries, herniated discs, and broken bones.
What to Do After You Slip and Fall on Concrete
You should know what to do after slipping on concrete to protect your well-being and strengthen your legal position in the potential premises liability case that may follow.
Step 1: Assess Your Condition, Call 911, and Document the Scene
If you fall on concrete in a public location, such as a sidewalk, try to move to a safe location to avoid further danger. If you suspect you have a fracture or you have a head or spinal injury, keep the injured body part immobile to avoid aggravating the condition. Call 911 as soon as possible. Clearly explain your location and the nature of your injuries.
If your condition allows, try to take photos and videos of the location where you fell. Focus on any unique conditions that contributed to the fall like uneven concrete or cracks. Capture different angles and any nearby signs or landmarks. If there are witnesses, ask for their contact information. Their testimony could help your personal injury lawyer build a strong case.
Step 2: Seek Proper Medical Care
Visit an emergency room, urgent care, or your primary care physician as soon as possible. If you get injured from a fall on concrete, the initial symptoms might seem minor, but the true impact of the injuries may become more apparent over time. Even a seemingly minor bump on the head can later manifest as a concussion or a traumatic brain injury (TBI). Make sure you receive a full medical assessment and it is all documented. Keep all records and receipts related to your medical care, including any follow-up treatments.
Step 3: Report the Fall Accident
If you slipped or tripped on a city-owned concrete sidewalk or in another public space, you may be required to report it to the appropriate local government agency through their website. In most cities, this would be the Public Works Department or the City Council’s office. If your fall occurred at a shopping mall, residential complex, parking lot, or any other privately owned property, you should notify the property owner or manager. Send them a written notice via email to maintain a documented record.
Step 4: Get Strong Legal Representation
In California, you only have two years from the date of the accident to take legal action against the responsible party. Time is of the essence in slip and fall or premises liability cases because the burden of proof is on you. With the passage of time, witness memories may fade, surveillance camera footage may get erased, and physical evidence from the accident site may disappear or get distorted. Your slip and fall accident attorney will move fast to preserve critical evidence and build a strong case for maximum damages on your behalf.
If you fell on a concrete surface – regardless if it was public or privately-owned – it is possible that a contractor failed to adhere to safety standards set by the ASTM International (formerly American Society for Testing and Materials). ASTM D2047 and ASTM F1637 state that concrete surfaces should be treated with anti-slip sealants and if they are painted, they should have an abrasive texture to keep them slip-resistant, especially in wet conditions.
If the building codes involved in your case reference ASTM standards as a basis for safety and quality control, your lawyer can help assess whether a contractor was negligent.
When you hire a skilled premises liability lawyer, they will guide you on how to proceed with your injury claim, what compensation you might be entitled to, and how to handle interactions with insurance companies or at-fault parties. When you have an experienced slip and fall attorney on your side with a proven track record and a formidable reputation, it increases your chances of achieving a higher settlement because the defendants may want to avoid the risk of going to trial against a strong legal adversary.
Injured from a Fall on Concrete? Our Premises Liability Attorneys Can Maximize Your Compensation
California follows a “pure comparative fault” system for concrete fall accidents and other types of personal injury claims. Under this system, you can recover damages even if you are found to be 99% at fault for the incident, but the total amount you are awarded will be reduced by the percentage that you are found to be at fault. For instance, if you are 50% at fault and the total damages are $100,000, you would receive $50,000.
At Maho Prentice, LLP, our attorneys have decades of combined experience in establishing the liability of negligent parties and fighting their unfair tactics to assign a portion of the blame to the injured victim for the accident. To maximize your damages in concrete fall accidents, we can build a compelling case that proves the negligence of the defendants. We will:
- Collect all available evidence, including photos from the accident scene, surveillance video if available, witness statements, and accident reports to help demonstrate hazards (wet floors, poor lighting, uneven surfaces) that contributed to the fall on concrete.
- Document your injuries through medical records, photos and videos, expert testimony, and possibly through eyewitness statements that detail how the injuries have affected your daily life and work.
- Engage experts in fields such as accident reconstruction, building engineering, or concrete flooring and surface materials to testify about how the conditions at the accident scene led to your injury.
If a settlement is not possible, we are prepared to take your case to trial. Attorneys at Maho Prentice, LLP have a proven track record of winning our cases and getting the best settlements and maximum compensation for our clients. You have a powerful and proven legal ally in us. Call at 805-962-1930 or contact us online to set up a free consultation today.