Can You Sue the City of Los Angeles for a Sidewalk Fall? Here’s What You Need to Know

Pacific Coast Injury Law Center | 853 Atlantic Avenue, Suite 201, Long Beach, CA 90813 | Call 833-30-LA-LAW

You’re walking through Los Angeles, maybe on your way to work or enjoying the weather, when suddenly—you trip over a cracked or uneven sidewalk. In seconds, you’re down, in pain, and unsure what just happened. After calling 911 and getting medical attention, you later learn your injury is serious enough to keep you from working, driving, or even completing daily tasks.

At Pacific Coast Injury Law Center, we’ve handled cases just like this. The good news? You may be entitled to compensation. But suing a city isn’t as simple as it sounds. Here’s what you should know if you’ve been hurt on a Los Angeles sidewalk.

Why Sidewalk Injuries Are So Common in LA

Los Angeles has a major sidewalk problem. According to city data, only around 60% of its sidewalks are in safe condition. In fact, the city was previously sued for $1.3 billion under the Americans with Disabilities Act because damaged sidewalks made public spaces inaccessible to people with disabilities.

To address the problem, LA launched the Safe Sidewalks LA program, offering partial reimbursement (up to $10,000) to property owners for repairs. But that hasn’t solved everything—because no one seems to agree on who’s responsible for fixing the sidewalks.

Who’s to Blame: The City or the Property Owner?

Responsibility for a sidewalk accident can fall on different parties depending on the situation:

🔹 Property Owners

In California, property owners are generally responsible for maintaining the sidewalks in front of their buildings. If they ignore damage or allow hazards to form—such as cracks, holes, or slippery substances—they can be held liable for resulting injuries.

🔹 The City of Los Angeles

You can also sue the city—but only if you can prove that Los Angeles knew (or should have known) about the dangerous condition and failed to act. Without proper notice, the city can claim it had no responsibility to fix the problem in time.

This makes sidewalk injury claims tricky, especially when both the city and the property owner deny fault.

Legal Deadlines: Act Fast After an Injury

When a government entity is involved, there’s no time to waste. California law gives you just:

• 6 months to file a formal claim with the city

• 6 more months to file a lawsuit if your claim is denied

Missing these deadlines could mean losing your right to compensation altogether. That’s why speaking with a personal injury lawyer quickly is so important.

What Kind of Compensation Can You Receive?

If your sidewalk injury claim is successful, you may be entitled to damages like:

• Medical costs (emergency care, surgery, physical therapy, etc.)

• Lost income and loss of future earnings

• Pain and suffering

• Loss of enjoyment of life

• Emotional distress

• Loss of consortium (in cases where a spouse is affected)

Keep in mind, California follows comparative negligence rules—meaning if you’re partially at fault (for example, distracted walking), your compensation may be reduced accordingly.

Injured on a Sidewalk in LA? Let Us Help.

If you’ve been hurt due to a dangerous sidewalk in Los Angeles, you don’t have to face the legal system alone. At Pacific Coast Injury Law Center, we’ll investigate your case, determine who’s responsible, and help you fight for the compensation you need to recover and move forward.

📍 Visit us: 853 Atlantic Avenue, Suite 201, Long Beach, CA 90813
📞 Call now: 833-30-LA-LAW
📩 Email: chris@pcilc.la