A chair knocked me down at Valley View Casino. And I fell on my back. I really need to know what to do.

If a chair at Valley View Casino knocked you down and injured your back, you may have a viable premises liability claim. California law requires businesses to maintain their property in a reasonably safe condition for patrons. If the chair was in a dangerous position or condition that a reasonable inspection would have caught, the casino could be liable for your injuries.

Here are the most important steps to take right now. First, get medical attention and document everything about your back injury, including all treatment records, costs, and any time missed from work. Second, if you have not already done so, report the incident to casino management and request a copy of the incident report. Third, photograph the scene and the chair if it is still in place. Fourth, collect names and contact information from any witnesses nearby. Fifth, ask the casino to preserve any surveillance footage from the area before it gets overwritten.

A premises liability case in California requires showing that the casino knew or should have known about the hazardous condition and failed to address it. Casinos are heavily surveilled environments, which can work in your favor because that footage can be powerful evidence.

Given the back injury, I would encourage you to consult with a personal injury attorney soon. Most offer free initial consultations and handle these cases on a contingency basis, meaning you pay nothing unless you recover. The sooner you consult, the easier it is to preserve evidence.

PI attorney licensed in California, Texas, and Washington.