What if They Cleaned Up the Spill I Slipped on in Riverside?
After a slip and fall in Riverside County, you may need to prove that your injuries were caused by a specific hazard. The obvious example is a liquid spill, but what happens if the negligent party cleans up the spill before you can gather the evidence you need? This is a common issue for slip and fall victims in California.
A slip-and-fall lawyer at the Moga Law Firm may be able to help you gather the evidence you need. This established slip and fall law firm in Riverside County has helped numerous plaintiffs over the years. The firm was founded many decades ago by Scott Moga, an experienced slip and fall attorney who won American Jurisprudence Awards during his time at the University of La Verne College of Law.
You Could Get Access to Video Surveillance Footage
Even if property or business owners cleaned away the spill you slipped on, you could still gain access to evidence in the form of video surveillance. Many stores have multiple video cameras, including gas stations, grocery stores, and so on.
This video surveillance may have captured not only the moment of your fall, but also the circumstances of the initial spill. For example, the footage might clearly show a spilled carton of milk sitting on the floor of a grocery store for hours before your fall. This evidence could be crucial, because it shows that the staff failed to clean up the spill in a reasonable amount of time.
Eyewitness Accounts Could Be Helpful
Various eyewitnesses may also recount the circumstances of the spill. These might include members of the public, other shoppers, or even staff members. A fellow shopper might have seen you fall, and they might be able to describe the nature of the spill that you slipped on.
Even staff members may have no other choice but to testify against their employers. Your lawyer can compel the employee to testify with something called a “subpoena.” Not only must they testify, but they must also swear an oath to tell “the truth, and nothing but the truth.” Faced with these pressures, the employee may even admit how they failed to clean up the spill in a reasonable amount of time.
Prioritize Medical Attention Rather than Gathering Evidence
Immediately after your fall, you might be tempted to snap photographs of the spill. While this can certainly help your lawsuit, you should also prioritize your health. Your injuries might be more severe than you realize. After a fall, it’s best to remain sitting or lying down until first responders arrive. Your neck or spine may have been injured, and certain movements may make things worse.
Contact an Established Slip and Fall Law Firm in Riverside Today
Although it is important to capture key evidence after a fall, you should focus on your medical needs first and foremost. Contact a personal injury attorney after your condition stabilizes, and you should be able to gather all the evidence you need to prove negligence. Remember, online research only gets you so far, and a consultation with a slip and fall lawyer could provide personalized advice based on your specific situation. Call 909-931-2444 – and work with the Moga Law Firm today.
Scot Thomas Moga, a dedicated attorney in San Bernardino & Riverside Counties who represents clients in the many types of personal injury, workers’ compensation and estate planning cases.
