Slip and Fall Lawyer Bakersfield

Fighting for Compensation for Injured Victims

Falling unexpectedly—on someone else’s property—can leave more than just physical scars. It can leave you angry, overwhelmed, and financially exposed. At The Paris Firm, we understand that a slip and fall accident isn’t just about how you landed. It’s about what happens afterward: the medical bills, the missed work, the sleepless nights, and the frustration of being hurt because a property owner failed to take reasonable care.

Our Bakersfield slip and fall attorneys represent people who never thought they’d need a lawyer—people who were injured while running errands, visiting an apartment complex, or walking through a parking lot. Whether you’re dealing with knee injuries, hip fractures, or traumatic brain injuries, you deserve a clear explanation of your rights and a legal team that will take your pain seriously.

If you’ve been hurt in a fall incident that wasn’t your fault, call The Paris Firm today at 909-325-6185 for a free consultation. We’ll walk you through your legal options and fight for the fair compensation you deserve.

When a slip and fall happens on else’s property, and it’s due to negligence—poor lighting, wet floors, broken stairs—you may be entitled to file a slip and fall claim. But don’t expect the property owner’s insurance company to make it easy.

That’s where we come in. Our team focuses on the real-life consequences of your fall:

• Did it keep you from working?
• Are you still attending follow-up appointments and physical therapy?
• Will you live with chronic pain or permanent disability?

These questions matter, and the answers shape your case. Our goal isn’t to settle fast—it’s to settle right. We aim for a resolution that accounts for every expense, every limitation, and every piece of your peace of mind that was taken from you.

Common Causes of Slip and Fall Accidents in Bakersfield

When people hear about a slip and fall accident, they often picture someone tripping over their own feet. But most falls we see as attorneys aren’t caused by carelessness—they’re caused by unsafe conditions that property owners failed to address. These accidents can happen anywhere: in grocery stores, apartment complexes, office buildings, schools, or construction sites. And they happen fast, without warning, leaving victims with injuries that take weeks, months, or even years to heal.

In Bakersfield, where businesses, landlords, and employers are responsible for maintaining safe premises, negligence often plays a central role. Here are some of the most common causes of fall accidents we investigate, each of which may result in a valid slip and fall claim.

Wet or Slippery Surfaces

One of the leading causes of falls in retail and commercial settings is wet flooring, usually the result of:

• Spilled drinks or food in supermarkets and restaurants
• Water tracked in from rain without floor mats
• Freshly mopped floors left without proper signage
• Refrigeration leaks that puddle on tile or concrete
• Waxed floors that are overly slick

When property owners or their staff fail to promptly clean these hazards or put up warning signs, the environment becomes a trap for unsuspecting customers. These conditions can easily lead to fall injuries, especially for individuals with mobility issues or poor vision.

Broken or Uneven Flooring

You might not notice a cracked sidewalk, a chipped step, or a lifted floorboard—until it’s too late. Uneven surfaces are a frequent issue in both residential and commercial properties, and they’re especially dangerous when:

• Carpet is torn or buckled
• Floor tiles are cracked or coming loose
• Concrete is chipped or sunken
• Rugs or mats bunch up and go uncorrected

These hazards are entirely preventable through routine inspections and maintenance. When a property owner fails to address flooring defects in a timely manner, they can—and should—be held liable.

Poor Lighting

It’s not just about what’s on the ground—it’s also about whether you can see it. Dim lighting can turn a safe space into a danger zone, particularly in:

• Apartment stairwells
• Office corridors
• Parking garages
• Exterior pathways at night

If a lightbulb burns out and isn’t replaced, or if an area is poorly designed with inadequate lighting, it becomes much harder for visitors to identify steps, puddles, obstacles, or uneven surfaces. Falls in these conditions are all too common—and often avoidable.

Missing Handrails or Unsafe Stairs

Stairs are inherently risky, which is why building codes require secure handrails and proper construction. When these features are missing or broken, the results can be catastrophic. Common stair-related hazards include:

• No handrails on one or both sides of a staircase
• Loose or wobbly handrails
• Uneven step height
• Cracked or slippery steps
• Inadequate landing areas

These conditions pose particular risks to elderly visitors, those with disabilities, and children. If you’ve fallen on stairs due to poor construction or missing safety features, a premises liability claim may be warranted.

Workplace Hazards

Falls are also a leading cause of workplace injuries, especially in environments with fast-paced activity, heavy foot traffic, or exposure to substances. Unsafe workplace conditions can include:

• Unmarked spills in restaurant kitchens
• Cords or hoses stretched across walkways in warehouses
• Poor lighting in construction areas
• Debris left on job sites
• Unsecured ladders or scaffolding

In these cases, your slip and fall attorney may pursue both a workers’ compensation claim and a third-party liability claim, depending on the circumstances and who was responsible for maintaining the area where the fall occurred.

These are not just hazards—they’re warnings ignored. At The Paris Firm, our job is to determine whether your fall accident could have been avoided with proper care. If so, we’ll collect evidence, investigate how the accident occurred, and identify all potentially liable parties. We approach every case with one core question: Did this property owner take reasonable steps to protect the people on their premises? If the answer is no, we’ll fight to hold them accountable and help you seek compensation for your losses.

Types of Injuries Caused by Slip and Fall Accidents in Bakersfield

Falls can be deceptive. What seems like a minor stumble can turn into a medical emergency with consequences that stretch far beyond the initial impact. At The Paris Firm, we’ve represented injured persons across Bakersfield who walked away from a slip and fall accident thinking they were fine, only to discover days or weeks later that they were dealing with serious injuries that required months of treatment or resulted in permanent disability.

These injuries can drastically alter your ability to work, move, or enjoy life as you once did. That’s why understanding the full scope of your condition—and ensuring it’s thoroughly documented—is critical to securing a fair slip and fall claim.

Spinal Cord Injuries

Falls down stairs or from elevated surfaces are a leading cause of spinal cord injuries, which can compress or sever the nerves that control movement and sensation. Even partial damage can result in:

• Chronic back pain
• Numbness or tingling in the limbs
• Loss of coordination
• Difficulty walking or standing
• Bowel or bladder dysfunction

In more severe cases, these injuries may cause paralysis or leave the victim dependent on mobility aids. Recovery often requires a combination of surgery, physical therapy, and long-term medical care. These are high-stakes injuries, and they must be addressed in both your legal claim and your medical plan.

Traumatic Brain Injuries (TBI)

When your head hits the ground or another object during a fall, the brain can be jolted or bruised, resulting in a TBI. These injuries don’t always show immediate signs, but over time they may produce:

• Memory loss
• Difficulty concentrating
• Mood swings
• Sensory impairment
• Cognitive dysfunction

A traumatic brain injury can affect everything from your job performance to your relationships. Because they’re often “invisible injuries,” insurance adjusters may downplay them, but we work with neurologists and medical experts to ensure their seriousness is recognized and compensated.

Hip Fractures and Broken Bones

Falls are the number one cause of hip fractures in older adults, and recovery can be especially difficult for individuals over the age of 60. A hip fracture often requires:

• Surgical intervention
• Hospitalization
• Physical rehabilitation
• In-home care or assisted living during recovery

Other common broken bones from slip and fall accidents include wrists, ankles, arms, and ribs. These injuries can limit your ability to work, care for dependents, or drive, making them highly disruptive, even when they don’t seem life-threatening.

Soft Tissue Injuries

Sprains, strains, and ligament tears are often dismissed as minor. However, these soft tissue injuries can cause persistent pain and stiffness and may require months of therapy. Common issues include:

• Torn rotator cuffs
• Sprained ankles
• Pulled muscles
• Swollen joints

If not diagnosed and treated early, these injuries can become chronic and significantly impair your mobility. They may also delay your return to work, resulting in lost wages and further emotional stress.

Internal Injuries

Not all damage is visible from the outside. A severe impact can cause internal bleeding, bruised organs, or damage to the liver, spleen, or kidneys. These internal injuries may not become obvious until hours or days after the accident occurred, which is why we urge every client to seek medical attention, even if they think they’re okay.

Untreated, these injuries can become life-threatening and may require surgery, intensive care, and extended hospitalization.

Whether your injuries are clearly visible or quietly worsening beneath the surface, our job is to ensure every symptom, treatment, and complication is documented and included in your slip and fall case. At The Paris Firm, we don’t let insurance companies minimize what you’ve gone through. We partner with your doctors, specialists, and care teams to calculate the true cost of your injury, and we fight for the fair compensation you’ll need to move forward.

How Much Compensation Can I Recover Through a Slip and Fall Injury Claim?

When you’re injured due to a slip and fall accident, the costs go far beyond the initial medical bill. From lost time at work to permanent changes in your mobility and quality of life, the true impact of your injuries can ripple through every area of your day-to-day experience. That’s why our team at The Paris Firm takes a comprehensive approach to evaluating your slip and fall claim—because your compensation should reflect every dimension of your loss.

While every fall case is different, the categories of damages you may be entitled to include:

Medical Expenses

Your claim can include all medical expenses related to the fall, past, current, and future. This may involve:

• Emergency room visits and ambulance transport
• Diagnostic testing, such as X-rays, MRIs, or CT scans
• Surgeries and hospital stays
• Physical therapy and rehabilitation
• Medications and pain management
• Mobility aids such as braces, crutches, or wheelchairs
• Ongoing specialist care or long-term treatment plans

We work with your doctors and care providers to ensure your projected costs are included, especially if your recovery will take months or even years.

Lost Wages and Income

Many injured persons can’t return to work right away, and some may never return to the same job again. You may be entitled to recover:

• Income lost while you were healing
• Wages lost from attending medical appointments
• Loss of future earning capacity if your injuries prevent you from continuing in your career

These financial setbacks are often overlooked by insurers, but we make them central to your legal claim.

Pain and Suffering

The law allows compensation for pain and suffering, which includes:

• Ongoing physical discomfort
• Sleep disturbances or insomnia
• Anxiety, depression, or emotional distress
• Loss of enjoyment in daily life
• Social isolation or lifestyle changes caused by the injury

We help quantify these non-economic damages with medical records, psychological evaluations, and personal statements that show how your life has been altered.

Long-Term Disability or Impairment

If your injuries result in permanent disability, your compensation should reflect the lifelong impact. This may include the inability to walk unaided, perform routine tasks, or participate in activities you once enjoyed. In some cases, a fall leads to the need for in-home care or the loss of independence entirely. These are devastating outcomes that deserve recognition and full financial compensation.

At The Paris Firm, we push back on lowball offers from insurance companies. We don’t settle for quick payouts that leave you short years down the line. Instead, we pursue fair settlement offers that take into account the medical treatment you’ll need, the income you’ve lost, and the emotional burden you carry. Our mission is to make sure your claim is valued for what it truly is—a path toward healing, stability, and justice.

How Our Bakersfield Slip and Fall Lawyers Build Strong Cases With Evidence

A strong case is built on more than words—it’s built on evidence. Our slip and fall attorneys take quick, strategic action to gather proof before it disappears.

We Investigate Immediately

We visit the scene, take photographs, and assess whether conditions like spills, lighting, or broken walkways contributed to the fall accident.

We Collect Eyewitness Statements

If anyone saw your fall, we get their testimony locked in. Their account can support your version of events when insurance companies try to cast doubt.

We Secure Surveillance Footage

We request and preserve any video footage that may exist of the incident, especially from stores, parking garages, or apartment complexes.

We Review Medical Documentation

From your first ER visit to physical therapy progress notes, we compile your medical records to show the timeline, severity, and cost of your injuries.

We Determine Liability

Was the property owner negligent? Did they fail to provide reasonable care? We gather inspection logs, maintenance schedules, and internal policies to expose potentially liable parties.

This meticulous approach is what turns a slip and fall incident into a compelling legal claim.

Should I Accept an Injury Settlement?

It’s tempting to accept the first offer from an insurance company, especially when the medical bills are piling up. But here’s the truth: early settlements are often designed to protect the insurer, not you.

Once you accept a settlement, you can’t go back and ask for more, even if your injuries worsen or new issues arise. That’s why you should never sign anything until you’ve spoken with a slip and fall lawyer.

At The Paris Firm, we review every offer, explain your rights, and help you understand whether the proposal covers:

• All current and future medical care
• Total time missed from work
• Long-term implications of severe injuries
• Compensation for your pain and mental distress

We’re not just here to negotiate—we’re here to protect what matters most to you.

If you’ve been hurt in a Bakersfield slip and fall, you don’t have to go up against a property owner’s insurance company alone. The Paris Firm is ready to advocate for you with the skill, urgency, and compassion you deserve. Call us today at 909-325-6185 to schedule your free consultation. Let’s make your recovery the priority it should be.