San Mateo Slip and Fall LAWYER

Slip and falls accidents are relatively common in San Mateo, but that doesn't make them any less serious. Truth is, slip and fall accidents can cause serious and debilitating injuries that require extensive medical care and rehabilitation.

If you suffered a serious injury in a slip and fall accident because a property owner or building owner didn't take reasonable care to prevent the accident from happening, you could receive compensation from the responsible party.

However, slip and fall accident claims are complex, and proving that someone else's negligence caused your injury can be challenging. You need a San Mateo slip and fall accident lawyer for help to recover compensation, and you can rely on the personal injury lawyers at Galine, Frye, Fitting & Frangos to fight aggressively for you and help you obtain full compensation for your injuries and losses.

Contact us today for a free initial consultation with an experienced attorney who has your best interests at heart.

What Causes a Slip and Fall Accident?

Slip and falls generally happen when a property owner engages in negligent inspection or maintenance, leading to a condition that causes the slip and fall. For example, a wet floor in a supermarket might cause a slip and fall, and the store could prevent this fall by cleaning up the spill and marking off the area with hazard signs to encourage the customers to be cautious around it. When businesses fail to take proper precautions, people can slip and fall and sustain injuries.

Where Do Slip and Falls Usually Happen in San Mateo?

Slip and falls happen in San Mateo in many places, but common locations are retail stores and businesses. Whether you are at the mall, the supermarket, or walking around in the courtyard of your favorite restaurant, you might slip and fall on a hazard the property owner should have fixed. When you are a customer at a business, they have a responsibility to keep the premises safe for guests, and when they fail to do so, they should cover all of the damages for your injury and the implications it has on your personal and professional life.

Common Slip and Fall Injuries

Slip and fall accidents can result in various types of injuries, ranging from minor to severe. Common injuries associated with slip and fall accidents include:

• Bruises and Contusions: Minor injuries such as bruises and contusions are common in slip and fall accidents. They occur when the body makes contact with a hard surface during the fall.
• Sprains and Strains: Twisting or impact during a fall can lead to sprained or strained muscles, ligaments, or tendons. This can affect various parts of the body, such as the ankles, wrists, or knees.
• Fractures: Falls can result in broken bones, especially in the wrists, arms, ankles, and hips. Fractures can range from minor hairline fractures to more severe breaks requiring medical intervention.
• Head Injuries: Head injuries, including concussions and traumatic brain injuries (TBIs), can occur if a person's head makes contact with a hard surface during a fall. These injuries can have serious consequences and may require immediate medical attention.
• Back and Spinal Cord Injuries: Falls can cause injuries to the back and spine, ranging from strains and sprains to more severe injuries like herniated discs or spinal cord damage.
• Cuts and Abrasions: Contact with sharp or abrasive surfaces during a fall can lead to cuts, scrapes, and abrasions. These injuries may vary in severity depending on the nature of the surface and the force of the impact.
• Dislocations: Falls can result in joint dislocations, where the bones are forced out of their normal positions. Common areas for dislocations include shoulders, elbows, and knees.
• Internal Injuries: In some cases, internal injuries may occur, including damage to organs or internal bleeding. These injuries may not be immediately apparent and may require medical examination to diagnose.
• Torn Ligaments: A fall can cause damage to ligaments, leading to sprains or tears. Ligaments are connective tissues that stabilize joints, and injuries to them can affect joint function.
• Emotional and Psychological Trauma: In addition to physical injuries, slip and fall accidents can cause emotional and psychological trauma. Fear of falling again, anxiety, and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) may develop as a result.

It's important to seek medical attention promptly after a slip and fall accident, even if injuries seem minor at first. Additionally, documenting the circumstances of the fall, obtaining witness statements, and taking photographs of the accident scene can be crucial if you're considering legal action. If the slip and fall occurred on someone else's property due to negligence, you should consult a personal injury attorney to explore potential legal remedies.

Losses from Slip and Fall Accidents

Slip and fall accidents can lead to various losses for the individuals involved. These losses can encompass both economic and non-economic damages. Here are some common types of losses resulting from slip and fall accidents, and an experienced slip and fall accident attorney from Galine, Frye, Fitting & Frangos can help you obtain compensation for any of these:

Medical Expenses

You may incur significant medical bills for the treatment of injuries sustained in a slip and fall accident. This includes emergency room visits, hospital stays, surgeries, medications, physical therapy, and ongoing medical care.

Future Medical Expenses

In cases where injuries require long-term or ongoing medical care, future medical bills may be factored into the damages sought in a personal injury claim.

Rehabilitation Costs

In cases where injuries require rehabilitation or physical therapy, the associated costs can add up. Rehabilitation is often necessary for recovering mobility and functionality after a slip and fall injury.

Lost Income

If you're unable to work due to the injuries sustained in the slip and fall, they may experience a loss of income. This includes wages lost during the recovery period and any potential long-term impact on earning capacity.

Pain and Suffering

Non-economic damages, such as pain and suffering, may be claimed in a personal injury lawsuit. This includes physical pain, emotional distress, and the overall impact on the individual's quality of life.

Mental Anguish

Slip and fall accidents can cause psychological distress, including anxiety, depression, and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Mental anguish damages may be sought in a personal injury claim.

Property Damage

In some cases, personal property may be damaged during a slip and fall accident. For example, if a person falls and breaks a valuable item they were carrying, they may seek compensation for property damage.

Home Modifications

Severe injuries may necessitate modifications to the injured person's home, such as installing ramps, handrails, or other accessibility features. The costs associated with these modifications can be part of the damages claimed.

Loss of Consortium

If the injuries affect the relationship between the injured person and their spouse or family members, a claim for loss of consortium may be made. This type of claim seeks compensation for the negative impact on relationships and companionship.

Legal Expenses

Engaging in legal action to seek compensation for slip and fall injuries may involve legal fees and court costs. These expenses may be considered part of the overall losses.

It's important for you to consult a personal injury attorney who handles slip and fall claims. An attorney from Galine, Frye, Fitting & Frangos can assess the circumstances of the accident, determine liability, and help pursue compensation for the various losses incurred as a result of the incident.

Always Seek Help From a San Mateo Slip and Fall Attorney

Negotiating with the insurance company and opposing parties on your own puts you at a significant disadvantage. Insurance companies work for profit, not for you, and they make the most of their profits by denying as many claims as they can and paying as little as they can on others.

If the other side has an attorney, their goal is to reduce the amount you recover. They try to achieve this by offering a quick but low settlement, hoping that you accept it or delaying or denying payments, hoping to negotiate something lower that might not cover your full damages. Insurance companies also regularly underestimate slip and fall claims, as they minimize the effects of these accidents.

A slip and fall attorney handles all the negotiations and communications with the opposing party's insurance company for you so that you can focus on recovering from your injury. Achieving the best possible compensation for your injuries is a challenging task, and you want the right legal professionals on the job to help you obtain a fair settlement or to represent you in court if the insurance company refuses to negotiate a fair settlement.

How Long Do I Have to File a Slip and Fall Accident Lawsuit in San Mateo?

California allows you two years from the date of your accident to file a lawsuit in civil court to recover damages. If you don't have an attorney file a lawsuit on your behalf within that time, you will likely lose all right you have to recover compensation.

It is vital you reach out to an experienced personal injury attorney at Galine, Frye, Fitting & Frangos to discuss your claim and begin the process right away.

Reach out to Our Local San Mateo Slip and Fall Attorneys Now

Our team is experienced in handling a wide variety of personal injury claims and providing robust legal representation for accident victims. The San Mateo personal injury attorneys at our law firm know how serious slip and fall injuries can be and how these injuries can affect your life. While you cannot go back in time and avoid the slip and fall accident, you can have the right legal help to make sure that you receive full financial compensation for your many losses.

Contact Galine, Frye, Fitting, and Frangos, LLP at (650) 345-8484 for your free consultation to explore options in your case and how we can support the best outcome today. We are ready to help.