Defending a Slip and Fall Case

• Author: Charles E. Turnbow
• Pages: 328-353

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CHAPTER 12

Defending a Slip and Fall Case

§1200 Introduction

§1210 Evaluate Defense Case

§1211 Determine Accident Facts

§1211.1 Location

§1211.2 Defendant’s Control of Premises

§1211.3 Severity of Injuries

§1211.4 Notice

§1211.5 Defendant’s Act or Failure to Act

§1211.6 Well-Documented Hazard

§1211.7 Incident Reports

§1220 Analyze Plaintiff

§1220.1 Plaintiff’s Class

§1220.2 Plaintiff’s Credibility

§1220.3 Foreseeability of Use

§1230 Evaluate Prior Accidents

§1230.1 Notice Elements

§1230.2 Severity of Hazard

§1230.3 Unique Properties

§1240 Review Maintenance and Inspection Procedures

§1241 Determine Frequency of Inspection

§1242 Determine Frequency of Maintenance

§1243 Determine Adequacy of Maintenance and Cleaning

§1244 Proof of Maintenance Procedures

1250 Assemble Facts

§1251 Evaluate Complaint

§1251.1 Hazard

§1251.2 Notice

§1251.3 Causation

§1251.4 Duty to Maintain Premises

§1251.5 Demurrer

§1251.6 Affirmative Defenses

§1252 Early Discovery

§1252.1 Plaintiff’s Deposition

§1252.2 Witness Depositions

§1252.3 Interrogatories

§1260 Evaluate Physical Evidence

§1261 Photographs

§1262 Plans and Specifications

§1263 Maintenance and Employee Training Manuals

§1263.1 Training Programs

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SLIP AND FALL PRACTICE 

§1264 Site Inspection

§1264.1 Adequacy of Housekeeping

§1264.2 Physical Condition

§1264.3 Interview Witnesses

§1270 Defense Expert

§1271 Document Premises’ Condition

§1272 Review Discovery

§1273 Examine Shoes and Appliances

§1273.1 Test and Evaluate Shoes

§1273.2 Inspect Appliances and Walking Aids

§1274 Examine Accident Site

§1274.1 Identify and Document Hazard

§1274.2 Perform Tests and Measurements

§1274.3 Take Photographs and Create Drawings

§1274.4 Seek Alternate Accident Causes

§1274.5 Check Code Compliance

§1274.6 Determine Industry Custom and Practice

§1275 Review Plaintiff’s Case

§1275.1 Evaluate Expert’s Opinion

§1275.2 Evaluate Consistency of Accident Description

§1276 Testify at Trial

§1280 Affirmative Defenses

§1280.1 Lack of Hazard or Dangerous Condition

§1281 Outside Intervening Factors

§1281.1 Shoes and Clothing

§1281.2 Other Parties

§1281.3 Defective Products

§1282 Comparative Fault

§1282.1 Plaintiff’s Activity

§1282.2 Open and Obvious Conditions

§1282.3 Physical Impairments

§1283 Assumption of Risk

§1283.1 Identification of Hazard

§1283.2 Appreciation of Hazard

§1283.3 Severity of Injury

§1284 Trivial Defect Rule

§1290 Motion for Summary Judgment

Case 1: Absence of Viable Hazard

Case 2: Trivial Defect Rule May Apply to Private Property

§1290.1 Notice of Motion

§1290.2 Separate Statement of Undisputed Facts

§1290.3 Points and Authorities in Support of Motion

§1290.4 Declarations and Other Documentary Evidence

§1290.5 Separate Statement in Opposition

§1290.6 Documents Opposing Motion

§1290.7 Orders

§1290.8 Risks and Benefits