From Black Friday doorbusters to last-minute New Year’s shopping, December brings huge crowds to malls and retailers in Calabasas, Agoura Hills, and Ventura County. And with the rush comes an unfortunate reality: holiday injuries spike dramatically.
If you were hurt in a store this season, you may be wondering:
- “Can I sue a store for slipping on a wet floor in California?”
- “Who’s responsible if I fall at a mall?”
- “How do I prove a store was negligent?”
Let’s break it down clearly.
Why Store Injuries Increase in December
Crowded aisles, increased merchandise displays, and wet weather are the perfect recipe for accidents:
Common holiday hazards include:
- Wet floors near entrances from rain
- Spilled drinks in food courts
- Boxes and products blocking walkways
- Holiday displays causing tripping hazards
- Poorly lit parking lots
- Overcrowded entrances and escalators
The CDC reports that falls are one of the leading causes of emergency room visits during winter months, especially in busy retail environments.
Source: https://www.cdc.gov/falls/facts.html
The National Safety Council also highlights increased injury risks around holidays due to crowding and rushed shoppers.
Source: https://www.nsc.org/safety-first
The California Office of Emergency Services notes that weather-related hazards (like rain) further raise slip and fall risk.
Source: https://www.caloes.ca.gov/
California Law: Stores Must Keep Their Property Reasonably Safe
Under California Civil Code §1714(a), store owners owe customers a duty of care to:
- Routinely inspect the property
- Fix dangerous conditions
- Place warnings (wet floor signs, cones, barriers)
- Staff enough employees to keep aisles safe
If a store fails to do so and you get hurt, they may be liable under premises liability law.
Examples where a store may be at fault:
- A wet floor is left un-mopped for 20 minutes
- A broken stair isn’t repaired despite previous complaints
- Merchandise falls from overhead shelves
- No warning signs during bad weather
Who Is Most at Risk During the Holiday Season?
- Elderly shoppers
- Children
- Pregnant women
- Anyone walking in crowded stores with bags and packages
- People entering or exiting the store in rain or fog
Popular hotspots for holiday injuries include The Commons at Calabasas, Agoura Hills shopping plazas, grocery stores, and outdoor strip malls in Ventura County.
What To Do After a Slip or Trip in a Store
- Notify a manager immediately and request an incident report.
- Take photos of the hazard, your shoes, and surrounding area.
- Ask witnesses for statements or contact info.
- Seek medical care, even for small injuries.
- Contact a personal injury attorney before dealing with store insurance.
Stores often try to claim:
- “We didn’t know about the hazard.”
- “You weren’t watching where you were going.”
- “We had a sign up.”
But those arguments don’t automatically absolve them. Liability depends on whether they acted reasonably.
FAQs
“Can I sue a store for slipping on a wet floor in California?”
Yes — if the store failed to clean or warn in a reasonable amount of time.
“How do I prove a store was negligent?”
Photos, surveillance footage, witness statements, and incident reports help establish fault.
“Is the store automatically not liable if there was a Wet Floor sign?”
No. A sign doesn’t excuse all negligence. The area must still be reasonably safe.
“How long do I have to file a claim?”
Most claims: 2 years under CCP §335.1
Government-owned property: 6 months to file an administrative claim.
Resources
- CDC Fall Injury Facts: https://www.cdc.gov/falls/facts.html
- National Safety Council: https://www.nsc.org/safety-first
- California OES Weather Hazards: https://www.caloes.ca.gov/
Injured While Shopping in Calabasas or Agoura Hills?
If a store’s negligence caused your injury, you deserve help — not excuses.
The Borhani Law Group is here to protect your rights and pursue compensation for medical bills, lost wages, and pain and suffering.
📞 Contact us today at (888) 711-4197 or visit borhanilawgroup.com/contact-us for a free consultation.
