Modesto Slip and Fall Lawyers

Why Are Slip and Fall Incidents Dangerous

Slip and fall incidents frequently cause significant injuries because they occur without warning. When we lose our footing or balance unexpectedly, we instinctively try to catch our balance by tossing out our arms or legs, bending our backs, and turning our necks violently. As a consequence, attempting to stop a fall can cause a serious injury. Slamming down on a hard surface causes even more damage.

We instinctively want to protect our heads and faces when we fall. As a result, we reflexively shoot out our arms to break the fall. Any attempt to break the fall can lead to severe damage to your arm, wrist, fingers, elbow, collarbone, and shoulder if you land on an outstretched arm.

That is not the only damage you can do to yourself if you fall. Other slip and fall injuries include:

• Head injuries,
• Traumatic brain injuries,
• Concussions,
• Facial injuries,
• Broken bones and fractures,
• Spinal cord injuries,
• Joint dislocations,
• Sprains,
• Lacerations, and
• Herniated discs.

Any one of these injuries could have a devastating effect on your life. Seeking just compensation for your injuries with the help of a qualified Modesto slip and fall lawyer may be the best option for you and your family to make a complete recovery.

Why Do Slip and Fall Incidents Happen?

Property owners, among others, owe a duty to the public to keep their premises safe. Despite their legal obligation to protect people from unreasonable risk of injury, negligent or inattentive property owners create dangerous situations by failing to maintain their property. Therefore, property owners, store owners who rent property, or business owners may be liable for injuries from slip and fall incidents resulting from:

• Uneven flooring,
• Broken stairs,
• Broken or missing handrails,
• Debris,
• Insufficient lighting,
• Missing or damaged weather mats in entry doors,
• Spilled liquids, and
• No warning signs around recently washed or waxed floors.

The reasons why someone might slip and fall while visiting another person’s property are limitless. Contact Silva Injury Law, Inc. today to discuss your story, and let us help you return to a healthy and prosperous life.

Steps to Take After a Fall According to a Modesto Slip and Fall Attorney

You might be wondering what you should do to protect your rights after a slip and fall incident in Modesto. The experienced Modesto slip and fall lawyers with Silva Injury Law, Inc. understand you might feel confused, lost, and hopeless after sustaining an injury through no fault of your own. However, you may overcome those negative feelings and regain control over your life if you take immediate action.

Consider taking these steps to protect yourself after a slip and fall incident:

• Contact emergency medical services or the police immediately if you are hurt;
• Inform the person in charge of your injury and ask them to preserve all surveillance video of the incident;
• Take a picture of the scene if you are able—if not, ask someone else to do that for you;
• Try not to downplay your injury or take partial blame for what happened; and
• Contact a Modesto slip and fall attorney who knows how to gather all the information necessary to prove your case right away.

You might want to pop up and dust yourself off immediately. You may even feel embarrassed because you fell. These are natural reactions. However, a crafty insurance defense attorney might try to turn your words around on you. A compassionate and dedicated attorney who understands how to build a strong case can overcome an insurance defense lawyer’s creative attempts to hide the truth.

Property Owners’ Legal Duty to Protect Visitors

A property owner is not automatically liable under California law to compensate you for your injuries if you fell. You, as the claimant, must prove that the owner of the property did not keep the property in a reasonably safe condition. That means property owners and people who occupy the property, such as a business owner who rents from a landlord, must inspect their property and repair damages. They also have a duty to warn people about dangerous conditions known to them.

An experienced Modesto slip and fall lawyer will work diligently to collect all the evidence available to prove your case. Contacting Silva Injury Law, Inc. as soon as possible after your fall will preserve all the available evidence such as:

• Police or EMS reports,
• Surveillance videos,
• Witness statements,
• Medical records,
• Employment records, and
• Information on insurance policies.

Act now to ensure you do not lose this valuable evidence. Waiting too long to contact a dedicated Modesto slip and fall attorney could jeopardize your claim. You have only two years to file a case in court after a slip and fall injury. You will lose all of your rights to hold anyone responsible for your losses if you miss the deadline.

Types of Damages You Could Recover for a Slip and Fall Incident

The amount of damages you could recover for your claim depends on the circumstances of your particular case. However, California law allows people to recover the following types of damages for a slip and fall incident:

• Economic losses,
• Medical bills,
• Future medical expenses,
• Lost financial opportunities,
• Pain and suffering,
• Mental anguish,
• Reduced quality of life, and
• Scarring, disfigurement, or amputation.

You could be eligible for other damages as well. Your Modesto slip and fall lawyer will thoroughly review all the evidence in your case and advise you about the value of your claim.