Slip and Fall at Westfield Fashion Square: Do You Have a Case?

Arya Firoozmand, Esq. — Founding Partner

Local Sherman Oaks Injury Attorney · UCLA Law

Arya Firoozmand is the founding partner at L&F Brown. He grew up in the San Fernando Valley, graduated from El Camino Real High School and UCLA Law School, and has spent his career representing injured clients across the Valley — including Sherman Oaks and the 405 corridor.

Westfield Fashion Square in Sherman Oaks is one of the San Fernando Valley's most visited retail destinations, drawing thousands of shoppers, diners, and visitors each week. With that volume of foot traffic comes a significant responsibility for the mall's management and its tenants to maintain safe conditions. When they fail, serious falls happen.

If you were injured in a slip and fall at Westfield Fashion Square, you may have a premises liability claim against the mall operator, an individual tenant store, or both.

What Causes Falls at Westfield Fashion Square?

Common hazards at large shopping malls like Westfield Fashion Square include:

• Wet floors near building entrances during rain, or after cleaning, without adequate warning signs
• Spills in food court areas or near restaurants that are not cleaned up promptly
• Uneven flooring transitions between different sections of the mall
• Broken or uneven tiles
• Inadequate lighting in parking structures or lower-traffic areas
• Unmarked elevation changes in stores or common areas
• Cart return areas or other obstructions in pedestrian pathways

Who Is Responsible: The Mall or the Store?

This is one of the first questions in any Westfield Fashion Square fall case. The answer depends on where exactly the fall occurred and what agreements exist between Westfield and its tenants. Generally:

• Falls in common areas, hallways, restrooms, parking structures, and entrances are the responsibility of Westfield mall management
• Falls within a specific store may be the responsibility of that individual retailer or restaurant
• Both may share responsibility if the hazard involved both party's areas or maintenance responsibilities

Lease agreements between Westfield and its tenants define who is responsible for what. Your attorney can obtain these documents through discovery to identify all liable parties.

What Evidence Should You Collect?

At a large shopping mall like Westfield Fashion Square, evidence gathering is especially important because mall management will move quickly to document the incident in their favor:

• Report the fall to mall security or store management immediately and get a copy of or reference number for the incident report
• Photograph the hazard before it is cleaned up or repaired
• Take photos of your injuries
• Get the names and contact information of any witnesses
• Note the date, time, and exact location within the mall
• Seek medical attention promptly, including at Sherman Oaks Hospital at 4929 Van Nuys Blvd if necessary

Westfield Fashion Square is covered by extensive security camera systems. Your attorney can send a legal preservation letter demanding the footage be retained before it is automatically overwritten.

What Compensation Is Available?

If you establish liability, you may be entitled to recover medical bills, lost wages, physical therapy costs, future treatment expenses, pain and suffering, and other damages. Serious falls at shopping centers can produce significant settlements, particularly when they involve fractures, joint injuries, or head trauma.

Acts Quickly to Protect Your Rights

California gives you two years from the date of your fall to file a premises liability lawsuit. But waiting is risky because evidence disappears, witnesses become unavailable, and the mall's legal team is already building its defense. Contact a Sherman Oaks slip and fall lawyer as soon as possible.

If you were injured at Westfield Fashion Square or anywhere else in Sherman Oaks, reach out to L&F Brown serving Sherman Oaks today for your free consultation.