Slip and Fall Lawyer in Burbank
Shawn Azizzadeh, Esq.
In California, you have two years from the date of a slip and fall to file a lawsuit (CCP § 335.1) – and only six months to file a claim if you fell on government property (Govt. Code § 911.2). Bedford Law Group represents Burbank residents and visitors who slip, trip, or fall at retail stores, restaurants, apartment buildings, public sidewalks, and hotels. We hold negligent property owners accountable under California Civil Code § 1714 and the long-standing premises liability doctrine of Rowland v. Christian (1968).
According to the CDC, more than one million Americans are treated for fall-related injuries every year. In Burbank – a city of more than 107,000 residents with major retail centers, studios, and the Hollywood Burbank Airport – these incidents happen daily. Many victims walk away assuming “it was just an accident,” not realizing California law entitles them to full compensation when an owner’s negligence caused the hazard.
“OVER 25 YEARS OF EXPERIENCE
OVER $100 MILLION RECOVERED IN
VERDICTS & SETTLEMENTS”
Since 2003, Bedford Law Group has exclusively practiced personal injury law. Our Burbank slip and fall attorneys investigate every fall the same way: securing surveillance footage before it is overwritten, preserving incident reports, documenting building-code violations, and locating witnesses. That preparation forces insurance companies – and, when necessary, juries – to pay the full value of the case.
Common Slip and Fall Locations in Burbank
Burbank’s combination of dense retail, studio campuses, multi-family housing, and a busy airport creates predictable hazard zones. Our firm has handled slip and fall claims at:
- Big-box retailers: IKEA Burbank, Costco on Victory Place, Target, Walmart, Lowe’s, and Home Depot.
- Shopping centers: Burbank Town Center, Empire Center, Burbank Empire Plaza, and Media Center.
- Grocery stores: Ralphs, Vons, Trader Joe’s, Whole Foods, and Sprouts along Magnolia Boulevard and Hollywood Way.
- Restaurants: Downtown Burbank, Magnolia Park, and the Riverside / San Fernando Boulevard corridor.
- Hotels and airport: Hilton Burbank, Marriott, Holiday Inn, and the walkways at Hollywood Burbank Airport (BUR).
- Apartment buildings and HOAs: stairwells, laundry rooms, pool decks, and parking garages.
- Public property: uneven sidewalks, crosswalks, and curbs maintained by the City of Burbank.
California Premises Liability Law – Explained
Slip and fall cases in Burbank are governed by California premises liability law. To recover compensation, you must prove the four classic elements of negligence drawn from Civil Code § 1714(a) and Rowland v. Christian, 69 Cal.2d 108 (1968):
- Duty. The property owner owed you a duty of reasonable care.
- Breach. They failed to fix, clean, or warn about a hazard they knew about – or should have known about.
- Causation. That breach directly caused your fall.
- Damages. You suffered real medical bills, lost wages, or other measurable harm.
Statute of Limitations
Under California Code of Civil Procedure § 335.1, you have two years from the date of the fall to file a personal injury lawsuit. If you slipped on a sidewalk, in a public building, or on any government property in Burbank, the deadline collapses to six months under Government Code § 911.2. Missing either deadline almost always destroys your case.
Comparative Negligence
California follows pure comparative negligence under Li v. Yellow Cab Co., 13 Cal.3d 804 (1975). Even if you were partially at fault – for example, you were looking at your phone – your damages are simply reduced by your percentage of responsibility. You still recover.
Common Injuries We Handle
A fall onto tile, concrete, or stairs can cause injuries that follow a victim for life. Bedford Law Group has secured compensation for clients with:
Injured in a Burbank Slip and Fall?
Surveillance footage from Burbank stores is typically overwritten within 30 days. The sooner we begin investigating, the stronger your case. Call now for a free, confidential consultation – there is no fee unless we win.
Get Your FREE Consultation:
(310) 507-7900What to Do After a Slip and Fall in Burbank
- Get medical care immediately. Even small falls can hide concussions, hairline fractures, or internal injuries.
- Report the fall in writing. Ask the store manager, property manager, or HOA for a written incident report and request a copy.
- Photograph everything. The hazard, the lighting, your injuries, and the shoes you were wearing – before anyone cleans up.
- Get witness contact info. Names, phone numbers, and short statements while memories are fresh.
- Preserve evidence. Keep the shoes and clothing you wore. Do not delete photos or social-media posts.
- Call a Burbank slip and fall lawyer before speaking to any insurance adjuster – adjuster statements are routinely used to deny claims.
Free Burbank Slip and Fall Case Review
Tell us briefly what happened. A Bedford Law Group attorney – not a screener – will call you back within one business hour. All submissions are confidential.
Comprehensive Injury Representation
Slip and fall is one of many practice areas where our firm fights for Burbank residents. Explore related services:
Burbank Slip and Fall – Frequently Asked Questions
How long do I have to file a slip and fall lawsuit in Burbank, California?
Under California Code of Civil Procedure § 335.1, you generally have two years from the date of the fall to file a personal injury lawsuit. If the fall occurred on government property – a Burbank city sidewalk, a Burbank Unified School District campus, or a Hollywood Burbank Airport walkway – you must file a written tort claim within six months under Government Code § 911.2.
What is the average slip and fall settlement in Burbank?
Burbank slip and fall settlements typically range from $15,000 for soft-tissue injuries to over $1,000,000 for fractures, spinal injuries, or traumatic brain injuries. Value depends on medical bills, lost wages, the clarity of liability evidence, and whether the property owner had prior notice of the hazard. Bedford Law Group has recovered over $100 million for clients since 2003.
Can I sue the City of Burbank if I tripped on a public sidewalk?
Yes, but the timeline is short. California Government Code § 911.2 requires a formal tort claim with the City of Burbank within six months of the incident. The defect must usually be at least three-quarters of an inch and the city must have had actual or constructive notice. Missing this deadline almost always bars your case.
What do I have to prove to win a slip and fall case in California?
Four elements drawn from Rowland v. Christian (1968) and Civil Code § 1714(a): (1) the property owner owed you a duty of reasonable care, (2) they breached it by failing to fix or warn about a hazard, (3) the breach caused your fall, and (4) you suffered real damages such as medical bills, lost wages, or pain and suffering.
What if I was partially at fault for my Burbank slip and fall?
You can still recover. California follows pure comparative negligence under Li v. Yellow Cab Co. (1975). If a jury finds you 30% responsible and your total damages are $100,000, your award is reduced to $70,000. Even if you are 80% at fault, you still recover 20%.
Where do most slip and falls happen in Burbank?
We regularly handle cases at Burbank Town Center, the Empire Center, IKEA Burbank, Costco on Victory Place, grocery stores along Magnolia Boulevard and Hollywood Way, restaurants in Downtown Burbank and Magnolia Park, hotel lobbies near Hollywood Burbank Airport, apartment stairwells, and uneven public sidewalks throughout the city.
What should I do immediately after a slip and fall in Burbank?
(1) Get medical attention. (2) Ask for a written incident report. (3) Photograph the hazard, your injuries, and the lighting before cleanup. (4) Get witness names and phones. (5) Keep the shoes and clothing you wore. (6) Call a Burbank slip and fall lawyer before speaking with any insurance adjuster.
How much does a Burbank slip and fall lawyer cost?
Nothing upfront. Bedford Law Group handles Burbank slip and fall cases on a contingency fee basis – you pay zero attorney fees unless we recover money for you. The initial case evaluation is free, and we advance all litigation costs.
Can I sue a store like IKEA, Costco, or Target for a slip and fall in Burbank?
Yes. Large retailers in Burbank are held to the same premises liability standard under Civil Code § 1714 as any other property owner. If wet floors, fallen merchandise, leaking refrigerators, or icy entryways caused your fall – and the store had a reasonable opportunity to discover and fix the hazard – you can pursue medical bills, lost wages, and pain and suffering.
Do I have a slip and fall case if I fell at work in Burbank?
It depends. If you fell while performing job duties, workers’ compensation is usually your exclusive remedy against your employer. But if a third party – a sub-contractor, vendor, or another property owner – caused the hazard, you may have a separate personal injury claim on top of workers’ comp. We routinely identify all liable parties.
Reviewed by: Shawn Azizzadeh, Esq., Founding Attorney, Bedford Law Group.
Last updated: May 11, 2026. This page is for general legal information and is not legal advice. For advice on your case, call (310) 507-7900.
