Santa Cruz Slip and Fall Attorney

Attorney Michael Rehm - (800) 978-0754

Slip and Fall and Premises Liability in Santa Cruz County

Attorney Michael Rehm represents people injured on unsafe property throughout Santa Cruz County. Slip and fall claims — and premises liability cases more broadly — arise when a property owner fails to maintain safe conditions and someone is injured as a result. These cases can arise anywhere: on a commercial property, a private residence, a public sidewalk, or a government-owned facility. The legal framework is the same; the specific duties and defenses vary by context.

The Legal Duty of Property Owners

California Civil Code §1714 imposes a duty of ordinary care on everyone in the management of their property. The California Supreme Court in Rowland v. Christian (1968) 69 Cal.2d 108 abolished the traditional common-law distinctions between licensees and invitees and held that a property owner owes a duty of reasonable care to all persons on the property, with limited exceptions. The relevant question is not whether the injured person was a paying customer, a social guest, or a casual visitor — it is whether the property owner acted with ordinary care.

To establish a premises liability claim, the injured person must show that the property owner knew or should have known about the dangerous condition, failed to repair or warn of it, and that this failure caused the injury. The length of time a hazardous condition existed is relevant — a spill that has been on a floor for hours puts a reasonable property owner on constructive notice even without actual knowledge.

Santa Cruz-Specific Premises

Santa Cruz County has several high-traffic locations where premises liability claims arise with some regularity. The Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk — one of the most visited amusement parks on the West Coast — is a private facility subject to the full duty of care under §1714. The UC Santa Cruz campus involves both private and public property, with government entity rules potentially applicable to certain facilities. West Cliff Drive and the coastal access paths involve a mix of city and county jurisdiction. Downtown Pacific Avenue commercial properties generate slip and fall claims from wet floors, uneven sidewalks, and inadequate lighting.

Claims Against Government Entities

When a slip and fall occurs on public property — a city sidewalk, a county park, a public building — the claim is governed by the Government Claims Act. Government Code §835 makes a public entity liable for injury caused by a dangerous condition of its property if the entity had actual or constructive notice of the condition and failed to take protective action. A critical difference from private premises claims: before filing suit against a government entity in California, a claimant must first file an administrative claim with the entity under Government Code §910. The deadline for filing that administrative claim is generally six months from the date of the incident — not two years. Missing the six-month administrative claim deadline can bar the lawsuit entirely.

What Damages Are Recoverable

Civil Code §3333 provides that damages cover all detriment proximately caused by the dangerous condition, whether anticipated or not. In serious slip and fall cases this includes emergency treatment, surgery, physical therapy, future medical care, lost wages, and noneconomic damages for pain, suffering, and loss of enjoyment of life. Civil Code §3283 permits recovery of future damages in cases producing long-term consequences.

The Statute of Limitations

Code of Civil Procedure §335.1 sets a two-year statute of limitations for personal injury claims against private defendants. For claims against government entities, the six-month administrative claim deadline under Government Code §910 must be met first. Missing either deadline can potentially bar the claim. Contact Attorney Michael Rehm to assess the specific deadlines in your case.

Retain Attorney Michael Rehm

Attorney Michael Rehm handles slip and fall and premises liability cases throughout Santa Cruz County on a contingency fee basis. No fee without a recovery. Call (800) 978-0754 for a free consultation.

The information on this page is general legal information only. It is not legal advice and does not create an attorney-client relationship. California law changes — statutes are amended, courts issue new decisions, and regulations are revised. Nothing on this page should be treated as a current statement of law without independent verification. Whether any deadline, legal doctrine, or rule applies to your specific case requires individual analysis based on the facts of your situation. Contact Attorney Michael Rehm to discuss your case directly.