San Francisco Trip and Fall Lawyer

Trip and fall accidents in San Francisco, California often happen when walking surfaces contain unexpected hazards such as uneven pavement, curled mats, loose carpeting, unmarked steps, or debris left in a walkway. These incidents can result in painful fractures, especially for older adults or when a fall occurs on hard surfaces. This page explains how trip and fall claims are typically evaluated in San Francisco and surrounding areas of San Francisco County, including nearby communities such as Sausalito, Oakland, Berkeley, and Palo Alto.

Trip Hazards Are Often Preventable

Many trip and fall injuries occur because a property owner or business failed to maintain safe walking conditions. Common trip hazards include raised sidewalk panels, broken flooring, poorly maintained stairways, construction materials, or objects left in areas meant for foot traffic. In San Francisco and nearby areas, documentation matters—photos of the hazard, incident reports, and witness information can be critical in proving how and why the fall occurred.

How Trip and Fall Claims Work in California

Trip and fall cases are a type of premises liability claim. Liability often depends on whether a dangerous condition existed, whether it was foreseeable, and whether the owner or operator took reasonable steps to fix the problem. Insurance companies frequently argue the hazard was minor or “open and obvious,” so the strongest claims are built on clear evidence, reasonable explanation of the hazard, and medical documentation of injuries. The video below provides an overview of how these cases are evaluated and what issues commonly determine the outcome.

What Is a Trip and Fall Accident?

A trip and fall accident occurs when a person’s foot strikes an object or uneven surface, causing a loss of balance and a fall. Unlike slip and fall accidents, which often involve loss of traction on wet or slippery surfaces, trip and fall cases commonly involve changes in elevation that create an unsafe walking path.

Common Causes of Trip and Fall Injuries in San Francisco

• Uneven sidewalks
• Curled rugs or floor coverings
• Missing edge markings
• Poor lighting
• Construction debris
• Exposed cords or hoses
• Broken stairs or railings

Who May Be Responsible for a Trip and Fall Injury?

Responsibility depends on who controlled the area where the hazard existed and whether reasonable care was used to keep the property safe. Depending on the location, potentially responsible parties may include:

• Commercial property owners
• Businesses and tenants operating on the premises
• Property management companies
• Apartment and condominium associations
• Maintenance vendors or contractors
• Public entities responsible for sidewalks or public walkways

Common Injuries in Trip and Fall Cases

Trip and fall accidents can cause long-term pain, including:

• Broken bones
• Head injuries
• Neck and back injuries
• Neurological symptoms
• Soft tissue trauma

Evidence That Often Matters in San Francisco Trip and Fall Claims

Because these cases are often disputed, evidence preservation is important. Helpful evidence may include:

• Photos of the hazard and surrounding area
• Incident reports and communications with management
• Witness names and contact information
• Surveillance footage (when available) and preservation requests
• Maintenance logs, repair records, and inspection history
• Medical records connecting the fall to the injuries

If the injury occurred in or near San Francisco, early documentation can help avoid later disputes about what caused the fall.

Trip and Fall Questions and Answers

Do I have to prove the property owner knew about the hazard?

In many cases, the issue is whether the owner knew or should have known about the condition through reasonable inspection and maintenance. How long the hazard existed and whether similar issues occurred before can be important factors.

What if the business claims the hazard was “open and obvious”?

Property owners and insurers often raise this defense. Whether it applies depends on visibility, lighting, distractions, foot traffic, and whether the condition posed an unreasonable risk of harm.

What if there were no witnesses?

Many valid claims have no witnesses. Photos, incident reports, medical documentation, and surveillance footage can still support the claim depending on what is available.

Can I still recover if I was partly at fault?

California follows comparative fault principles. Even if some fault is alleged, recovery may still be available depending on the facts and how responsibility is allocated.

Are there deadlines for trip and fall claims?

Yes. California law imposes time limits on injury claims, and cases involving public entities may have additional notice requirements and shorter deadlines. Because deadlines can be fact-specific, early evaluation is important.