Merced Slip and Fall Lawyers

Why Is a Slip and Fall Injury so Dangerous?

Slipping and falling can be embarrassing, especially when you slip and fall in a store full of people. You probably tried to jump up immediately and brush yourself off. You might have even said you were not injured to the people who asked.

There can be no denying that falls present a danger to everyone’s health. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 39,433 people died in unintentional falling incidents in 2019. By contrast, 37,595 people died in motor vehicle accidents in 2019, according to the CDC’s most recent statistics.

Slip and fall injuries are dangerous because they occur without warning. Also, anyone who loses their balance will try, sometimes in vain, to regain their stability by flailing their arms. When people crash to the floor, folks tend to shoot their arms out in front of them rigidly to stop the fall or prevent them from hitting their heads. Sometimes, this results in even more injuries.

Injuries Following Merced Slip and Fall Accidents

These forceful and awkward falls lead to severe physical injuries. Slip and fall injuries in Merced often include:

• Head injuries;
• Broken or fractured arms;
• Broken or fractured legs;
• Broken or fractured hands and fingers;
• Injured knees and ankles;
• Soft tissue injuries such as muscle pulls, strains, and tears;
• Back and neck injuries like herniated discs and broken vertebrae;
• Lacerations;
• Internal injuries such as bruising or internal bleeding;
• Spinal cord injuries;
• Dislocated joints;
• Head injuries leading to traumatic brain injuries, including concussions; and
• Death.

Any of these injuries could lead to lengthy hospital stays, rehabilitation, surgery, physical therapy, and other medical treatment to help you recover. Your injuries may be long-lasting or even permanent. Your slip and fall injuries could leave you in severe pain and unable to work. Having a steadfast advocate by your side every step of the way could ease your mind as you struggle to recover from your slip and fall.

Why Did You Fall?

A slip and fall incident could occur anywhere and at any time. Although older people generally have a higher risk of falling than younger people, any person of any age could fall and sustain an injury. Many slip and fall incidents occur because of a defect in a floor’s surface, a tripping hazard, or a foreign substance covering the floor.

At Silva Injury Law, Inc. our Merced slip and fall attorneys represent numerous individuals who suffered injuries after falling because of:

• Rainwater pooling on a slippery surface like linoleum;
• Beverages or food dropped on the floor at a supermarket;
• Torn carpet that created a tripping hazard;
• Absence of slip guard at the entrance to store or hotel;
• Inadequate lighting;
• Electric chords or other equipment; or
• Deficient or non-existent railings on staircases.

These are a few examples of the cases our Merced premises liability attorneys handled. You should contact our firm to learn how we could best serve you if your fall occurred because of another’s negligence, even if your case might not be identical to one of the scenarios listed above.

How a Merced Slip and Fall Attorney Can Help You Recover from Your Injuries

Contacting our Merced slip and fall attorneys right away will help you make the strongest claim possible. An experienced and dedicated Merced premises liability lawyer will get to work immediately to find solutions to the problems you face after suffering a slip and fall injury.

At Silva Injury Law, Inc. we will get to work right away building a case against all parties responsible for your injuries. We will gather evidence by:

• Taking pictures;
• Preserving surveillance video;
• Interviewing witnesses;
• Reviewing your medical records; and
• Researching all parties who have a legal liability to pay for your losses.

We will not stop there. We will actively participate in your physical, emotional, and economic recovery. We remain steadfast in our mission to help you overcome the burden you must shoulder due to another’s failure to ensure your safety.

Damage Awards for Your Merced Slip and Fall Claim

Each case is as unique as the people involved. Therefore, predicting how much money you can recover for your slip and fall case depends on numerous factors. You could receive compensation for losses such as:

• Medical bills,
• Future medical expenses,
• Lost salary or wages,
• Lost future financial gains,
• Pain and suffering, and
• Mental anguish.

Your spouse or dependent child could file a claim for lost companionship and other non-economic damages as well.

We explore every avenue of recovery so that you can return to the life you led before you fell. We advocate for you so that you will not have to experience financial hardship after your fall. We want you to be sure that we will be with you every step of the way.

Frequently Asked Questions About Merced Slip and Fall Accidents

Understandably, prospective clients have numerous questions about slip and fall accidents and how the legal process works. Here are answers to some of the most common questions we receive to help you prepare for your initial consultation with our Merced slip and fall attorneys.

What Should I Do Following a Slip and Fall Accident?

Depending on the severity of your injuries, the first step you might take is calling 911 for medical assistance. Your health is the top priority. If you are severely injured, you need to seek immediate medical assistance. If your injuries aren’t too severe, you should report the accident immediately if possible.

If there are any witnesses, get their contact information. Be sure to document all the details of your slip and fall while the facts are fresh in your mind. If the insurance company for the property owner contacts you, decline to give any type of recorded statement. Do not accept any blame or provide the insurance company with any information they can use against you. You should also contact our Merced slip and fall attorneys right away.

What Happens If I Slip and Fall at Work?

If your slip and fall injury occurs at work, you could have a valid workers’ compensation claim. These benefits could pay for your medical bills and assist with a portion of your lost wages while you are recovering and unable to work. You are typically precluded from filing a lawsuit against your employer for a work-related injury. However, you could have a valid liability claim against a third party if another party caused your injuries.

I Slipped and Fell at My Friend’s House. I Don’t Want to Sue Them, but I Need My Medical Bills Laid. What Should I Do?

When you pursue a claim for damages in a slip and fall, your friends and family typically aren’t the ones who will pay the claim directly. Instead, you make a claim to their insurance company. Their property insurance should indemnify the homeowner when something like this occurs. The concept of insurance is to cover losses and liability for accidents such as a slip and fall, so the homeowner doesn’t pay out of pocket and risk their own assets.

Understandably though, this is a hard situation for many people. No one typically wants to sue their friends or family. However, you have the right to seek reimbursement for damages when someone else is liable for your injuries.

What Happens If I Cannot Figure out Who Is Responsible for My Injuries?

Pursuing the correct parties is crucial in personal injury accidents. Because you don’t have legal experience, you should consider contacting a Merced slip and fall attorney right away. Your lawyer will help you identify all potentially liable parties to help you maximize your compensation.

The Time to File a Claim Is Short

At Silva Injury Law, Inc. our Merced premises liability lawyers vow to fight for your rights. The sooner you reach out to us, the sooner we can get to work. Some people might want to focus on their physical recovery before talking to a Merced premises liability attorney. We respect your decision and will support you no matter what. However, California law strictly limits the amount of time you have to file a claim to two years. Thus, waiting too long to file a lawsuit could hurt your ability to make a full recovery.

Our experienced legal team also handles other types of injury cases, including:

• Truck Accident
• Motorcycle Accident
• Sexual Harassment
• Car Accident
• Wrongful Death Claim
• Dog Attack
• Pedestrian Accident
• Drunk Driving Accident
• Distracted Driving Accident
• Bicycle Accident
• Nursing Home Abuse