If you were injured due to torn or lifted carpet on stairs in California, that also falls under a premises liability claim, which is a common legal avenue for slip, trip, and fall injuries.
📌 Legal Basis for the Claim
California law (Civil Code § 1714) requires property owners and occupiers to maintain their premises in a reasonably safe condition. If a carpeted stairway is torn or lifted, creating a tripping hazard, and the owner failed to repair or warn about it, they may be found negligent.
To win such a case, you must prove:
- Ownership or control: The defendant owned, leased, or controlled the property.
- Negligence: The torn or lifted carpet posed an unreasonable risk of harm and the owner knew or should have known about it.
- Injury: You were injured by tripping or falling due to that defect.
- Causation: The property owner’s negligence directly caused your injury.
🧩 Important Evidence
To build a strong case, consider collecting:
- Photos of the carpeted stairs, showing the damage
- Witness statements from anyone who saw your fall or was aware of the hazard
- Maintenance records (if accessible), which may show a history of complaints or ignored repairs
- Medical records documenting your injuries
- Incident reports if you filed one with the property owner or business
🏠 Common Scenarios Where This Applies
- Apartment buildings or condos (landlord/HOA liability)
- Hotels, office buildings, or commercial properties
- Retail stores or public spaces
- Airbnb or vacation rentals (depending on liability coverage)
🧾 Potential Compensation
If your case is successful, you may be entitled to:
- Medical bills (past and future)
- Lost wages
- Pain and suffering
- Disability or disfigurement
Law Offices of James R. Dickinson – 909-848-8448
How To Schedule A Consultation:
Please call us at 909-848-8448 to schedule a free consultation/case evaluation or complete the form immediately below. [Please note certain formalities must be completed to retain the Law Offices of James R. Dickinson, such as the signing of a legal fee agreement [see “Disclaimers”]].