If you have been injured in an accident on a sidewalk, whether you have tripped, slipped, or twisted your ankle or foot, you should contact us immediately. Accidents involving public sidewalks and walkways require prompt action. In many cases you have only 90 days to file a claim for an accident occurring on a public sidewalk or street.
The following are dangerous property conditions commonly occurring on sidewalks:
- Slip, trip, and fall accidents
- Cracked, broken, or uneven pavement
- Tree roots
- Missing cobblestones / pavers
- Snow and ice conditions
- Broken signposts
- Faulty construction resulting in an unsafe walking surface
- Improperly placed sidewalk vaults and / or cellar doors creating a trip hazard
- Protruding pipes, metal structures and/or cables along the sidewalk
Many of these accidents result in serious injuries involving fractures of the wrist, arm, shoulder, ankle, knee and other bones including connective tissue damage which often requires surgery and protracted therapeutic treatment. Unfortunately, these types of falls can cause significant trauma to the head or brain (also known as traumatic brain injury which can result in death, especially when someone is propelled to the hard pavement directly hitting his or her head.
Many people are unaware of the very specific laws within the Los Angeles & Surrounding counties which determine responsibility for maintaining the sidewalks. As this law is very specialized and requires complete and thorough knowledge concerning those persons and entities which may be responsible for maintenance of various sidewalks, walkways and pathways, it is important to contact a lawyer with all of the necessary knowledge and experience handling this type of case.
