If you’ve sustained an injury after a slip and fall accident on someone else’s property in California, you may have grounds to file a personal injury claim. Seeking legal recourse while recovering from your injuries may not be the simplest task, but you don’t have to do it on your own. In fact, it’s highly advised that you work with a San Bernardino slip and fall lawyer if you want to file a claim after an incident.
Our team at Gonzales Law Offices has successfully handled thousands of cases across the Inland Empire and Southern California. We can take on many of the responsibilities that you need help with, such as building your legal strategy, conducting interviews with key witnesses, drafting legal documents, gathering evidence, investigating claims, negotiating deals, and providing legal representation in court.
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Slip and fall accidents remain one of the most common causes of injuries across the country, especially for elderly people. In recent years, more than 8.5 million people across the country went to an emergency room for a fall-related injury. These accidents can lead to serious consequences, including broken bones, spinal injuries, and traumatic brain injuries (TBIs), which may result in long-term cognitive and physical impairments.
In 2022, approximately 46,653 people died from falls at home or work. Moreover, falls made up for 35 percent of all nonfatal injuries in the United States, with 8,870,302 falls reported in 2023. For comparison, the second-most common cause of nonfatal injuries came in with 2,909,953 reports.
Slipping and falling on someone’s property due to their negligence can put you in a position to seek compensation for your injuries, pain, suffering, and other losses or, in tragic cases, pursue a wrongful death claim if a loved one dies as a result of the fall.
Connect with a San Bernardino slip and fall lawyer to discuss your legal options so you can move forward from the incident with a bit of positivity.
Filing Slip and Fall Cases in San Bernardino County
If you want to pursue action against a property owner for a slip and fall incident, you must do so within two years of the incident. If you’re planning to file against a government entity of any sort, you must also file a Notice of Claim within six months.
You can expect to work with them or their insurance provider to try to reach a settlement agreement. Negotiations can be challenging, especially when it comes to insurers. They are going to try their hardest to give away as little money as possible, so it’s up to you to build a strong case to recover the damages you believe you’re owed.
If you can’t reach an agreement and the issue remains unresolved after attempting negotiations, you may want to take things a step further. You can file your claim with the San Bernardino Superior Court to enter litigation and have the court determine what you’re owed.
Filing a claim is a fairly straightforward process, but successfully winning the case can be hard if you’re trying to do everything on your own. It can be highly beneficial to reach out to a San Bernardino slip and fall lawyer to evaluate your case and guide you through the claims process.
Meet Attorney Mark Gonzales, Esq.
Lead Counsel, Gonzales Law Offices
Since 2007, Mark has represented injured clients across Southern California in car, motorcycle, and truck accidents, traumatic brain injuries, wrongful death, and premises liability. His time in insurance defense gives him inside perspective he uses to help clients take on powerful carriers. He has recovered over a million dollars for clients in difficult cases.
Bar: State Bar of California
Affiliations: CAALA, LACBA
Education: University of La Verne College of Law
Offices: Fontana, Rancho Cucamonga, San Bernardino, Ontario
Free Consultation No Fees Unless We Win Se Habla Español
Are Slip and Fall Cases Difficult to Win in San Bernardino?
It can be challenging to win a slip-and-fall case in San Bernardino because you must be able to prove that the negligence of the property owner directly caused your injuries. You can’t simply file a claim because you’re injured on someone’s property. You must be able to demonstrate that the owner failed to maintain their property to a reasonable standard and that they left a known hazard that caused you harm.
How Can I Negotiate a Slip and Fall Settlement in San Bernardino?
When you file a personal injury claim after a slip and fall settlement, you can expect to enter negotiations with the at-fault party’s insurance provider. It’s likely that the insurer is going to offer the lowest amount possible to compensate you for your losses because their ultimate goal is to keep costs low.
It’s important to have solid evidence to support why you deserve the maximum compensation. A San Bernardino slip-and-fall lawyer can assist with identifying and gathering this evidence.
Do Most Slip and Fall Cases Go to Trial in San Bernardino?
The majority of slip and fall cases settle out of court in San Bernardino. When you file a claim, you can expect to go into negotiations with the at-fault party. Most likely, you’ll be communicating with their insurance provider to reach a settlement agreement.
It’s wise to work with a San Bernardino personal injury lawyer so they can handle the negotiations for you. If you can’t reach an agreement, you can then expect your case to go to trial.
What Is the Most I Can Recover From a Slip and Fall Settlement?
Your total settlement amount from a slip and fall case can vary depending on the nature of the incident and the severity of your injuries. It’s critical to have solid evidence to back up your claim so you can establish fault and win the maximum settlement amount.
Proving some form of negligence on behalf of the property owner is ultimately the key to securing the compensation you’re owed. Your attorney can assist you with this process.
Start Building Your Case With a San Bernardino Slip and Fall Lawyer
If you’re ready to file a personal injury claim after a slip and fall accident, it’s important to stay organized and understand the next steps of the legal process. While it’s possible to do it on your own, you’re likely going to be better off working with a legal professional.
Our attorneys at Gonzales Law Offices are ready to help you through each step of the claims process so you can move forward with your life with the compensation you deserve. We take the time to understand your unique circumstances and tailor our legal strategies to meet your specific goals and challenges. If you’re ready to discuss your situation in more detail, call our office to schedule a consultation with a San Bernardino slip-and-fall lawyer you can trust.
I could not be more happy with the help Mark Gonzales provided. He was there for me every step of the way. He explained each step in a way that was easy for me to understand. He was available to me when ever I had a concern. His staff made me feel like I was family. I highly recommend Mark to anyone who needs legal help!
Robert R.
Mark helped me recover all my expenses due to my car accident. The insurance company tried to slow the process and doubted that I was even injured. Mark fought for me and gave me peace of mind. I felt like I had an army on my side since his staff worked tirelessly for me. They got the insurance company off my back and helped me get back on my feet faster than I expected.
April F.
Mark did a fantastic job for me when I slipped in a restaurant. I owner had the nerve to claim it was my heels, when clearly the floor was damaged and caused me to fall. He tried to make himself look like the victim of a scam. Mark put an end to that real fast. He took control of everything for me. He helped me get my medical costs paid as well as compensation for the lost time at work.
Dottie F.
The Law Office of Mark Gonzales was a smooth experience people were great and professional !! I would recommend them to anyone and if I ever need an injury attorney again I will definitely come back. THANK YOU.
Vanessa M.
The people working here are very nice and helped make a bad experience better. They made the process go smoothly and were always willing to help and answer my questions. The attorney was very personable and willing to help. The office makes sure you are comfortable and that you understand the process. I highly recommend them.
Elizabeth R.
I would like to thank the attorney Mark Gonzalez and his staff for the prompt results representing my family with our case, I would highly recommend his office, thank you in advance.
Jose G.
I want to highly recommend the lawyer Mark Gonzalez due to his great work. He took my case and won it even though another lawyer had said it was a lost case. Very friendly environment especially with the secretary at the front desk. Thank you!
Marelena R.
Mr. Gonzales did an amazing job in solving my case. I was feeling helpless and all hope lost, but him and his staff got me through it. I wouldn’t consider any other attorney than Mr. Gonzales himself. 100% recommended!