Slipped at a Sonoma County Winery: How a Claim Works

Q: Who decides whether a spill was there long enough to be found?

That is generally a question of fact for the jury.

Table of Contents

Can I make a claim after slipping at a winery or tasting room in Sonoma County?

Possibly. In California, everyone is responsible for an injury caused to another by a lack of ordinary care in the management of their property, except to the extent the injured person brought the injury on themselves (Civil Code section 1714). A business owes its customers a duty to exercise reasonable care in keeping the premises reasonably safe (Ortega v. Kmart Corp. (2001) 26 Cal.4th 1200). The Law Offices of J. Chrisp represents people in slip and fall and premises liability cases.

Showing the winery knew or should have known

The injured person must show the owner had actual or constructive knowledge of the dangerous condition (Ortega v. Kmart Corp. (2001) 26 Cal.4th 1200). Evidence that the owner failed to inspect the premises within a reasonable period of time can allow an inference that the condition existed long enough to be discovered.

Your own share of responsibility

If the winery proves you were negligent and that this was a substantial factor in your harm, your damages are reduced by the percentage of responsibility the jury assigns to you (CACI No. 405, Comparative Fault of Plaintiff).

Where a Sonoma County case can be filed

For an injury case, the county where the injury occurs is a proper county for trial (Code of Civil Procedure section 395).

What to do before you leave

Photograph the floor, the spill or step and the lighting from where you fell.
Ask staff to write an incident report and ask for a copy or its number.
Get names and numbers of other guests who saw it.
Keep your receipt or reservation to show you were a customer that day.

Frequently asked questions

Who decides whether a spill was there long enough to be found?

That is generally a question of fact for the jury (Ortega v. Kmart Corp. (2001) 26 Cal.4th 1200).

If you were hurt in a fall at a winery or tasting room, call the Law Offices of J. Chrisp 24/7 at 877-J-CHRISP (877-524-7477) for a free consultation. There is no fee unless we win.

About the Law Offices of J. Chrisp

The Law Offices of J. Chrisp is a Northern California personal injury law firm founded by attorney Jesse Chrisp, who was raised in Lake County. The firm represents injured people, with offices in Lower Lake (main office), Santa Rosa and San Francisco, and serves Sonoma, Napa, Lake and Mendocino counties and the San Francisco Bay Area. Consultations are free, the firm works on a contingency fee with no fee unless the firm wins, and the phone is answered 24/7 at 877-J-CHRISP (877-524-7477). The firm was named to Best Law Firms 2026 (Tier 1, Santa Rosa, Personal Injury Litigation – Plaintiffs). Jesse Chrisp has been recognized by The Best Lawyers in America since 2024 and selected to Super Lawyers from 2023 to 2026.

Slipped at a Winery or Tasting Room in Sonoma County: How a Claim Works