Legal Question in Personal Injury in California

Is the company I hired liable for my slip and fall?

I slipped and fell on a note written by a worker whom we had ordered from a local labor company. The worker did not show up. When exiting my house I slipped on the scrap piece of newspaper he had written on and fell down four stairs. I conntacted the company to make them aware of the accident. I have now been told I need knee surgery to correct the damage to me knee as a result of the fall. Is the company liable?


Asked on 1/10/02, 6:39 pm

3 Answers from Attorneys

Sheldon G. Bardach Law Offices of Sheldon G. Bardach

Re: Is the company I hired liable for my slip and fall?

If the employee was in the course and scope of his employment at the time he left the note on your steps, and providing the note was actually the cause of your fall, respondeat superior, that is the employer is responsible for the actions of its employees.

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Answered on 1/15/02, 6:53 pm
Rob Reed Law Office of Robert A. Reed

Re: Is the company I hired liable for my slip and fall?

The company is liable for the negligent torts of its' employees.

I am interpreting your question to detail a situation where you waited for a worker, and the worker showed up (but didn't knock loud enough?) The worker left a note, and you slipped on that note?

If the placement of the note by the worker was negligent (i.e., arguably, if the note was placed on stairs, rather than a door), you may have a successful case against the company that you hired.

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Answered on 1/15/02, 7:04 pm
Joel Selik www.SelikLaw.com

Re: Is the company I hired liable for my slip and fall?

It might be a tough case, but, yes, they are responsible. Several questions come to mind:

why did you not see the note, why was it placed there, why did it cause a fall, any witnesses?

J. Selik 800-894-2889

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Answered on 1/16/02, 9:17 am


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