Fresno Slip and Fall Lawyer
Looking for a slip and fall attorney in Fresno? The experienced team at Golden Gate Legal is here to help you get the justice you deserve.
A slip and fall accident can be a jarring experience, leaving you with physical pain and emotional stress. If you are looking for legal representation in the Fresno area, we encourage you to contact us at the number below for assistance.
Golden Gate Legal has a proven track record of successfully handling slip and fall cases for clients throughout Fresno. In this guide, we'll walk you through what to do after an incident, explain the legal process, and address the common questions you might have along the way.
What to Do After a Slip and Fall in Fresno
If you've been hurt in a slip and fall accident in Fresno, taking the right steps immediately after is crucial for protecting both your health and your ability to seek compensation:
Make Sure You're Safe
Immediately after a fall in Fresno, your top priority is to check yourself for any injuries. If you're able, carefully move to a safer spot away from the hazard to prevent any additional harm.
Call 911 and Get Medical Attention
Your health is the top priority, so call 911 immediately if you've been hurt in the fall. Because some injuries can take time to surface, you should still see a doctor to protect your health and document the incident.
Document the Accident Scene
If you are physically able, use your phone to take clear photos of the exact hazard that caused your fall, the surrounding area, and any visible injuries. You should also collect the names and contact information of any witnesses and note the name of the manager or employees you speak with at the scene.
Don’t Admit Fault, Post Online, or Sign Anything
Be mindful of what you say after the incident, as even a simple apology can be misconstrued as an admission of fault. It's also wise to stay off social media and refuse to sign any papers or provide a recorded statement to an insurance company without first seeking legal advice.
Contact Golden Gate Legal for Help
If you've suffered a slip and fall accident in Fresno, seeking legal guidance from Golden Gate Legal is a crucial step toward recovery. Our dedicated attorneys will manage the legal complexities for you, ensuring you can focus on healing while we fight for your rightful compensation.
Why Choose Golden Gate Legal Law Firm
At Golden Gate Legal, we have dedicated years of experience helping clients in Fresno and across California with slip and fall cases, among many other personal injury proceedings. Here are a few reasons why you should choose our firm to represent you:
- We Will Get You Max Compensation: Our team fights to ensure you recover all the damages you are legally entitled to, without losing a penny.
- We Will Protect You at All Costs: It is our top priority to protect your rights and interests so you can focus on your recovery while we handle the rest.
- No Legal Fees Upfront: You won't pay any legal fees upfront, as we only receive a fee when we win or settle your case.
- We Are Available at all times: Our team is available 24/7 to provide the legal and emotional support you need, whenever you need it.
We encourage you to check out our Client Testimonials.
Legal Process Overview
We handle every step of the legal process for our Fresno clients so you can focus on your healing, and here's how that process works:
- Free Consultation & Case Evaluation: We start with a no-cost meeting to hear your story, answer your questions, and evaluate the merits of your claim.
- Evidence Collection & Claim Filing: Our team gathers crucial evidence like medical records and accident reports, then files all necessary claims and communicates with the insurance companies for you.
- Medical Treatment Coordination: As you recover, we can help arrange your medical care and track your progress to ensure your case accurately reflects the extent of your injuries.
- Demand Letter & Negotiation: Once your treatment concludes, we send a formal demand to the insurance company and begin aggressively negotiating for the full compensation you are owed.
- Litigation (if necessary): If the insurance company fails to offer a fair settlement, our trial lawyers are fully prepared to file a lawsuit and fight for you in court.
- You Get Paid: After your case is resolved, we take care of the final paperwork to ensure you receive your settlement money promptly.
What Types of Compensation Can You Claim After a Slip and Fall Injury?
Under California law, if you are injured in a slip and fall accident due to another party's negligence, such as unsafe property conditions, you can seek compensation for the damages you have sustained. Compensatory damages for slip and fall cases in California may include the following:
- Medical bills
- Lost income
- Future medical care and treatment
- Pain and suffering
- Property damage
Insurance companies and at-fault parties frequently try to undervalue claims to protect their profits, which makes it essential to have experienced California slip and fall attorneys like those at Golden Gate Legal handling your case.
Types of Slip and Fall Injuries Handled
While we handle a wide variety of personal injury cases, here are some of the most common types of injuries we help our clients with:
Fractures
Bone fractures are a common consequence of slip and fall accidents, often leading to surgical procedures, casts, and a long road to recovery that can include lasting effects on mobility.
Head Injuries
A slip and fall can inflict a traumatic brain injury or concussion, which may result in persistent headaches, confusion, and significant long-term cognitive difficulties.
Spinal Injuries
An injury to the spine can result in chronic pain, slipped discs, or paralysis, often requiring lifelong medical attention.
Soft Tissue
Injuries to muscles, tendons, and ligaments can cause intense pain and swelling, restricting your range of motion and frequently requiring rehabilitative therapy.
Hip Injuries
Slip and fall accidents are a common cause of serious hip injuries, particularly for the elderly, which may necessitate surgical intervention and a lengthy recovery process.
Cuts & Bruises
After a slip and fall, cuts and bruises can cause infections, leave lasting scars, and make for a difficult recovery.
Common Causes of Slip and Fall Accidents in Fresno
Slip and fall accidents in Fresno can happen for many reasons, but some of the most common causes include:
Wet Floors
When spills or freshly mopped floors are left without a warning sign, they become a prime spot for a serious slip-and-fall accident.
Uneven Surfaces
Uneven walking areas, such as cracked pavement or warped flooring, can easily cause someone to lose their footing and fall.
Poor Lighting
Inadequate lighting can obscure potential obstacles, which raises the likelihood of a slip or fall.
Loose Carpeting
Worn-out or loose carpeting is a common culprit behind slips and falls that happen indoors.
Cluttered Walkways
Leaving objects in walkways, hallways, or staircases creates a serious hazard for trips and falls.
Weather Hazards
Without quick cleanup, rain, snow, and ice brought in from outdoors can make walking surfaces slick and hazardous.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much will a Personal Injury Attorney Cost?
If you're in Fresno and worried about the cost of a personal injury attorney, you can set those fears aside. You won't have to pay any legal fees upfront. We only collect a fee if we successfully win or settle your case, meaning there is absolutely no financial risk on your part.
How do I prove a property owner was at fault?
Proving a property owner was at fault requires showing they knew, or reasonably should have known, about a dangerous condition and failed to address it. To build a compelling case, we collect evidence like official incident reports, statements from witnesses, and any available surveillance video.
Should you be found partially at fault, your potential compensation could be decreased according to your percentage of responsibility. Navigating these principles is vital in Fresno, where the specifics of liability law can be quite complex.
How long do I have to take legal action after my accident?
In California, if you're hurt in an accident, you generally have a two-year window to pursue legal action. This countdown starts on the day the incident occurred. If you fail to file a claim within this period, you will likely forfeit your right to get financial compensation for your injuries.
In California, how long does an insurance company have to settle a claim?
In California, insurance companies must act on your claim within specific timeframes. Once you notify them of a claim, they have 15 days to acknowledge it and start their investigation. From the day they receive all your required claim documents, they have another 40 days to make a decision on whether to accept or deny your claim.
If the insurance company approves your claim, they are required to issue payment within 30 days of their decision. This means that, according to California's Fair Claims Settlement Practices Regulations, the entire process from start to finish should take no more than 85 days.
What compensation can I recover after a slip and fall?
In Fresno, compensation after a slip and fall can cover your medical bills, lost income, and rehabilitation costs. Because each situation is unique, our team works to recover the maximum amount possible for your injuries, including your pain and suffering.
How will Golden Gate Legal actually help me?
Here in Fresno, our first priority at Golden Gate Legal is to understand your story so you know you have a team on your side. We also assess your injuries and can connect you with the right doctors for your care.
You focus on healing; we'll handle the legal battle. We fight to get you the compensation you're entitled to for your pain, suffering, and the entire recovery process.
Contact Golden Gate Legal for legal support
Golden Gate Legal has helped countless personal injury victims get back on their feet. Let’s do the same for you.
Call us now at (310) 445-3425 or click below for your free consultation.
Protecting your rights when you need it most
We believe in doing what’s right: you focus on your recovery, and we’ll handle the legal process from start to finish.
Fighting for your full compensation
We are available at all times
No legal fees paid upfront
We will protect you at all costs
Contact Us For a Free Case Evaluation
When dealing with the aftermath of an accident, you need strong support by your side to help you make the right decisions.
