Attorney Michael Rehm — (800) 978-0754
San Francisco Slip and Fall Attorney
San Francisco's built environment generates a distinct pattern of slip and fall hazards. Steep sidewalk grades subject pavement slabs to differential settlement and cracking. Marine fog leaves sidewalks, steps, and entryways wet for extended periods. Older commercial and residential buildings in neighborhoods including the Tenderloin, the Mission, and SoMa carry deferred maintenance that produces broken steps, inadequate handrails, and worn or buckled flooring. Retail corridors on Market Street, Union Square, and Fisherman's Wharf generate significant pedestrian traffic across surfaces that require active maintenance. Attorney Michael Rehm represents people injured in slip and fall accidents throughout San Francisco and San Francisco County. These claims are filed in San Francisco Superior Court, 400 McAllister Street.
Property Owner Duty and Notice
A property owner's duty to maintain premises in a reasonably safe condition under Civil Code § 1714 includes the duty to inspect for dangerous conditions and to either repair them or warn of their existence within a reasonable time. In a slip and fall case, the plaintiff must establish that the defendant knew or should have known of the dangerous condition. Evidence of notice includes prior complaints, incident reports, inspection logs, surveillance footage, and the duration for which the condition existed before the fall.
Sidewalk Defects and the City's Liability
San Francisco sidewalks are a significant source of trip and fall claims. The City and County of San Francisco is responsible for maintaining sidewalks in a safe condition. Claims against the City for broken, heaved, or defective sidewalk surfaces are governed by Government Code § 835. A government tort claim under Government Code § 911.2 must be filed within six months of the fall. Missing this deadline can potentially bar a lawsuit against the City. Property owners adjacent to the sidewalk also bear obligations for sidewalk maintenance under San Francisco Public Works Code and may be independently liable for conditions attributable to their property.
Comparative Fault
Defense counsel in slip and fall cases routinely argue that the plaintiff was not paying attention, was wearing inappropriate footwear, or was otherwise comparatively at fault. California's pure comparative fault system under Civil Code § 1431.2 apportions non-economic damages by percentage of fault but does not bar recovery. Even if a jury finds a plaintiff partially at fault, recovery is proportionally reduced rather than eliminated.
Filing Deadlines
The personal injury statute of limitations is two years under Code of Civil Procedure § 335.1. Claims against the City of San Francisco require a government tort claim within six months under Government Code § 911.2. None of these deadlines are self-executing and tolling may apply.
Related Pages
Attorney Michael Rehm represents slip and fall victims throughout San Francisco on a contingency fee basis. No fee without a recovery. Call (800) 978-0754 to arrange a free consultation.
The information on this page is general legal information, not legal advice, and does not create an attorney-client relationship. Every case turns on its own facts. The law can change — statutes are amended, cases are decided, and regulations are revised; nothing on this page should be relied upon as a statement of current law without verification. Deadlines and legal bars discussed on this page are general guides — whether a particular deadline applies, has run, or is subject to tolling, and whether a particular doctrine bars or limits recovery in your case, requires individual analysis. Contact Attorney Michael Rehm to discuss the specific facts of your situation.