A fall that wasn't your fault shouldn't cost you everything. California law holds negligent property owners responsible for the injuries on their property. We handle the investigation, the insurance company, and the legal claim — so you can focus on healing.
A slip and fall can be one of those injuries people are embarrassed to talk about. You wonder if you were just clumsy. You wonder who is liable. Then you get the hospital bill; and your back is not getting better the way the ER doctor said it would. Then you’re missing work, and the insurance adjuster is calling you at home with a small check and a release form they want you to sign today.
California premises liability law exists for exactly this situation. Under Civil Code §1714, every property owner — every store, restaurant, apartment complex, parking structure, hotel, office building, or other premise — owes a duty of ordinary care to everyone who enters their property. When they fail to fix a known hazard, fail to warn of a dangerous condition, or fail to inspect and maintain their property safely, and someone gets hurt because of it, they are legally liable.
Slip and fall injuries are among the most serious in personal injury law. A fall in a grocery store aisle, on a wet restaurant floor, on a broken sidewalk, or in a poorly lit stairwell can cause hip fractures, spinal injuries, torn ligaments, rotator cuff tears, and traumatic brain injuries that take months — or years — to heal. For older adults, a single fall can statistically be one of the most dangerous events of their lifetime.
Glendale has a dense concentration of high-traffic commercial properties where these cases are most common: the Glendale Galleria, the Americana at Brand, grocery chains along Pacific or Glenoaks, restaurants and retail on Colorado Street or San Fernando Blvd., apartment complexes throughout the city, and parking structures serving downtown and the entertainment corridor. Every one of these properties is legally required to keep their spaces safe. When they don’t, we hold them accountable.
Generally, you have two years from the date of your fall to file a claim (CCP §335.1). If a city sidewalk, government building, or public entity was involved, that window can drop to six months under California’s Government Tort Claims Act. Don’t let those deadlines pass before talking to an attorney.
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Every property owner must use ordinary care in the use or management of their property. This is not optional, and it cannot be waived by some clause or a posted sign. It applies to commercial businesses, landlords, government entities, and private property owners alike.
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For transitory conditions (a fresh spill, recently dropped debris), California requires proof that the property owner knew or should have known about the hazard and had enough time to fix or warn of it. Under Ortega v. Kmart Corp., a plaintiff can establish constructive notice through evidence of how long the condition existed, inspection schedules, employee knowledge, and surveillance footage.
For permanent or long-standing conditions (a broken step, torn carpet, cracked pavement), notice is generally presumed — because the owner has a duty to discover it through reasonable inspection.
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Falls on city sidewalks, government buildings, and public transits are governed by Gov. Code §835, not Civil Code §1714. These cases generally require a government tort claim filed within six months of the fall. Missing this deadline can permanently bar the claim.
You can recover even if you were partly at fault for the fall — your compensation is reduced by your percentage of fault, not eliminated. Insurers routinely overstate a victim’s fault. Having an attorney prevents this.
The location of your fall determines which legal theory applies, what evidence exists, and who can be named as a defendant. We handle cases across every type of property in Glendale and Los Angeles County.
Transitory spills — produce moisture, spilled liquids, leaking refrigerator cases, recently mopped floors without adequate warning signs — are the leading cause of store falls in California. Under Ortega v. Kmart, constructive notice can be established through sweep logs, inspection schedules, employee testimony, and surveillance footage showing how long the condition existed. The Glendale Galleria area, Americana at Brand, and the major grocery chains along Brand Boulevard and Glenoaks generate a significant share of these cases.
Fallen merchandise, unsecured displays, uneven transition strips between flooring materials, and inadequate lighting in stockroom-adjacent areas are common hazards. Property management companies and tenant businesses can both be liable depending on which party controlled the condition.
Grease and spilled drinks on hard tile floors, wet entries during weather events, and uneven outdoor patio surfaces create significant fall risk. California's restaurant density in Downtown Glendale and along the Brand corridor generates frequent claims.
Oil slicks, uneven pavement, deteriorating speed bumps, poor lighting, and inadequate drainage are common hazards in the parking structures serving Glendale's commercial properties. The responsible party may be the property owner, a management company, or a private parking operator.
Wet lobby floors during rainy season, slippery elevator thresholds, and poorly maintained common areas in multi-tenant office buildings. Both the building owner and the tenant occupying the premises can bear liability.
Cracked, raised, or sunken concrete panels; deteriorating curb cuts; and uneven pavement are pervasive on Glendale's aging sidewalks. These cases require filing a Government Claims Act claim within six months — a missed deadline that permanently bars the claim and which many firms fail to catch.
Pool deck surfaces, wet locker room floors, slippery fitness area flooring, and unlit exterior walkways are among the most common hotel and gym fall hazards. These cases often involve large commercial operators with significant insurance coverage.
Falls at residential properties are covered by homeowner's or renter's insurance. The homeowner owes guests a duty of care under Civil Code §1714. Many people don't realize that a fall at a friend's or family member's home triggers an insurance claim — not a lawsuit against the person personally. For falls in apartment buildings where landlord negligence is involved, the claim follows the same framework — see our Glendale apartment fall lawyer page for how those cases are handled.
We know how insurance companies respond to slip and fall claims. They question whether the condition was really dangerous. They suggest you weren’t watching where you were going. They offer a fraction of what the case is worth and hope you take it. We don’t let that happen.
You focus on your recovery. We handle everything else.
You speak with the attorney handling your case at every stage — not just a paralegal or legal assistant. George works directly with every client from the first call.
Free, no-obligation evaluation usually within hours. We give you our honest assessment of the case, what it's likely worth, and what steps to take — even if you decide not to retain us.
If we don't recover for you, you owe us nothing. Zero out-of-pocket cost to start. Our goals are completely aligned with yours.
California law recognizes both economic and non-economic damages in premises liability cases. We build claims that account for every category — including future costs that insurance companies routinely try to minimize or exclude.
Slip and fall cases are won or lost based on evidence collected in the first week. Here’s what matters and why it can’t wait:
| Court House Lawyers | Typical PI Firm | |
|---|---|---|
|
Case Review |
Same day, often within hours |
2–3 business days |
|
Attorney Access |
You speak directly with George on your case |
Routed through a case manager or paralegal |
|
Evidence Preservation |
Same-day preservation letters for surveillance footage, sweep logs, and incident reports |
Often delayed — critical footage is overwritten |
|
Government Claims |
We file the 6-month government tort claim without exception when a public entity is involved |
Many firms miss this short deadline entirely |
|
Liability Investigation |
We identify every party: property owner, tenant, management company, maintenance contractor |
Many firms name only the most obvious defendant |
|
Insurance Strategy |
We treat the property insurer as the opposing party from day one |
Many firms accept early lowball offers to close files |
|
Trial Readiness |
Every case prepared for trial; insurers know it |
Settlement-only firms get lower offers |
|
Fees |
No win, no fees. Period. |
Can say the same, but watch for hidden costs at settlement |
George Mkrtchyan
Managing Attorney
George Mkrtchyan is the Managing Attorney of Court House Lawyers, a Glendale-based personal injury firm. Over the past decade, George has handled premises liability cases involving negligent property owners, retailers, landlords, and property management companies across Glendale and Los Angeles County — including cases where insurers initially denied liability, disputed the condition, or offered settlements far below the actual value of the claim.
He is known for thorough case preparation, a willingness to take cases to trial when insurers underpay, and a client-first communication standard. Every client speaks directly with him.
“Insurance companies bank on fear and fatigue. They count on you accepting a fast, low offer because you’re tired and hurting. Our job is to make sure you don’t have to fight that fight alone.”
— George Mkrtchyan, Managing Attorney
A 50-year-old woman in Glendale came to us after being injured in a school bus collision while waiting to pick up her grandchildren. The insurance company had offered $500 to close the file. Court House Lawyers rebuilt the case from the medical records up. Final recovery: $50,000. This is the difference experienced representation makes.
Every slip and fall case is different. These results from our practice show what focused, thorough representation delivers.
Personal Injury · Car Accident
Client was initially assigned 85% fault in a left-turn collision. After George took over, the fault assignment was reversed to zero and the client recovered full compensation.
Personal Injury · Car Accident
Three people were injured in the same accident, each with separate representation. George Mkrtchyan and Grant Abadzhyan secured the largest individual recovery of the three — the result of thorough early documentation and a faster demand strategy.
Personal Injury · Rideshare
Client injured in an Uber accident received nothing from the insurer initially. George secured a $35,000 settlement within 30 days of taking the case.
Personal Injury · UIM Arbitration
Out-of-state underinsured motorist arbitration. The insurer refused to pay fairly. George went to arbitration and won the full policy limits.
Personal Injury · Car Accident
After collecting the at-fault driver’s policy limits, the client’s own insurer refused to pay fairly on the underinsured motorist claim. George initiated arbitration and recovered the full policy limits from the client’s own insurance company.
Personal Injury · Car Accident
A 50-year-old woman in Glendale was offered $500 after a school bus accident. George rebuilt the case from the medical records up. Final recovery: $50,000 — 100x the original offer.
Past results are specific to the facts of each case and do not guarantee future outcomes.
Every premises liability matter is evaluated on its own merits.
Tell us where you fell, what the condition was, what injuries you've suffered, and what treatment you've received. We'll give you our honest assessment of whether you have a claim and what it may be worth — even if you don't hire us.
You won't be passed to a junior associate or a case manager. George handles your case.
The most valuable evidence in a slip and fall case disappears in the first week. We send preservation letters the same day you retain us.
We investigate the property owner, the tenant operator, the property management company, and any maintenance contractor involved in the condition. Every responsible party is named.
We treat the property liability insurer as the opposing party from day one. Because they are.
If a public sidewalk, city building, or government-managed property was involved, we file the required government tort claim within the 6-month window. Missing this deadline can be permanent and unrecoverable.
If you don't have a doctor or can't afford specialist care, we connect you with experienced providers in Glendale and the surrounding area who treat injury victims on a lien basis — no upfront cost.
Property liability insurers settle higher when they know we'll take the case to court. Most cases never get there because of the preparation.
No upfront costs of any kind. No hourly billing. If we don't recover for you, you owe us nothing.
We talk through what happened: the location, the hazard, your injuries, and what treatment you've received. You walk away knowing our honest assessment and what the case is likely worth.
We send same-day preservation requests for surveillance footage, sweep logs, maintenance records, and incident reports. We identify every party — owner, tenant, management company, contractor — who had control over the condition that caused your fall.
We build the evidence of notice: how long the condition existed, whether it had been reported before, what the property's inspection schedule required, and whether any prior incidents involving the same hazard are on record. This is where most slip and fall cases are won.
We document your injuries, medical costs, lost wages, and pain and suffering comprehensively. We present a complete demand to the property liability insurer. If they start low, we push back with documentation, comparable results, and a clear willingness to file suit.
If the insurer refuses to pay what your case is worth, we file. Every case is prepared from day one as if it will go to trial — and that preparation is why most cases settle for significantly more before they ever get there.
* These are general deadlines. Always note your specific circumstances, statute of limitations, and speak with an experienced attorney to know the deadlines that pertain to you and your case.
You must establish four elements: the defendant controlled the property, they were negligent in maintaining it, you were harmed, and the negligence caused your harm. For transitory conditions like a spill, you additionally need to show the owner knew or should have known about the hazard — under Ortega v. Kmart, this can be established through surveillance footage, inspection logs, the nature of the condition, and how long it existed. An attorney builds this evidence immediately, before it disappears.
A warning sign reduces but doesn’t eliminate liability. If the property owner created a hazardous condition, a cone doesn’t absolve them — particularly if the sign was placed after the fall, was not visible from the direction you were walking, or if the condition was so severe that a warning sign was inadequate. We evaluate this in every case.
Yes. California uses a pure comparative fault system — your compensation is reduced by your percentage of fault, not barred. If you were 25% at fault and your damages are $100,000, you recover $75,000. Insurers routinely overstate victim fault to reduce payouts. Having an attorney prevents this.
Yes — significantly. A public sidewalk fall triggers the Government Claims Act. You generally have six months from the date of the fall to file an administrative claim with the City of Glendale before any lawsuit is possible. Miss that deadline and your claim can be permanently barred. Call us immediately if a public sidewalk or government property was involved.
This is extremely common. The adrenaline and shock of a fall can mask injury symptoms for 24-72 hours. Spinal compression, soft tissue injuries, and even fractures sometimes present with delayed pain onset. See a doctor as soon as symptoms appear and document the connection to the fall. Any gap in treatment will be scrutinized by the insurer — close it by getting medical care now.
A homeowner’s or renter’s insurance policy covers injuries sustained on the property — the claim goes against the insurance, not against the person personally. Many people don’t pursue these claims out of concern for the relationship. An attorney can structure the claim to minimize personal friction while ensuring you receive the compensation you’re entitled to.
An inspection defense is common — and often beatable. We subpoena the actual inspection logs, cleaning schedules, and incident history to determine whether inspections actually happened as claimed and whether any prior complaints about the same condition were documented. Paper defenses frequently don’t match the physical evidence
It doesn’t have to. Large commercial property owners and chain retailers have commercial liability policies specifically for these situations. Your claim is against the insurer, not the business’ personal finances. The retailer’s insurer handles these claims routinely — your job is to make sure you receive full compensation, not a fraction of it.
Most cases resolve within 6 to 12 months of the injury. Cases requiring full litigation typically take 1 to 2 years from filing to resolution. The key variable is the completion of your medical treatment — we don’t finalize a demand until we understand the full extent of your injuries. Settling too early often means leaving significant money on the table.
Yes, though it’s better if you did. Reporting creates an incident report that is strong contemporaneous evidence. If you didn’t report before leaving, document everything as soon as possible: go to the hospital the same day if needed, photograph the location and your injuries, and write down everything and everyone you remember while it’s fresh. We’ve won cases where no incident report was filed.
No. California’s “eggshell plaintiff” doctrine means a defendant takes you as they find you. If the fall aggravated or accelerated a pre-existing condition, you can recover for the worsening — not just for the condition as if it started from zero. Insurers will use a prior medical history to minimize the claim; an attorney prevents them from using it to eliminate it.
Nothing upfront. Our fee is contingency-based — we only get paid from the recovery we obtain for you. No win, no fee.
Tell the store manager, property owner, building staff, or security officer before you leave. Ask for a written incident report and get a copy. If they refuse, document the request.
Take photos of the condition that caused your fall — the wet floor, the crack, the torn mat, the broken step — from multiple angles before it's repaired or cleaned up. Do this before you leave the property if you're physically able.
Even if you feel manageable, going to an emergency room or urgent care immediately is usually in your best interest. Injuries and trauma don't always present with full severity right away. A medical exam can show what really happened.
Keep the shoes you were wearing. Do not discard them. Defense attorneys use footwear analysis to argue you were partly at fault — your attorney needs to preserve this evidence.
Names and phone numbers of anyone who saw the fall or who saw the condition before you fell. Bystander accounts are powerful evidence.
An adjuster will call you, sometimes within hours. They will seem helpful. Do not give a recorded statement. Do not discuss fault. Do not discuss how you feel. Tell them you've retained an attorney and they will call.
Do not sign any release, settlement, or authorization that the property manager, owner, or their insurer presents without your attorney reviewing it first.
Call (818) 293-8293 Free, same-day review. We can tell you exactly where you stand.
10
YEARS OF EXPERIENCE AND SUCCESS
Trusted Glendale slip and fall attorney holding negligent property owners, retailers, and landlords accountable for unsafe conditions across Los Angeles County.
Property owners have a legal duty to keep their spaces safe. When they don’t, you should not be the one paying for it. From our Glendale office, we represent slip and fall victims across California — including Los Angeles, Burbank, Pasadena, La Cañada, La Crescenta, Eagle Rock, Atwater Village, Tujunga, Downtown and the greater Los Angeles area.
