Madera Slip and Fall Lawyer

A serious fall can lead to serious injuries and questions about why the fall happened. If an unsafe property condition caused your injury, a Madera personal injury lawyer from our firm will explain your legal options and what may come next. 

We will investigate the cause, determine who may be responsible, and handle the insurance claim while you recover. Fowler | Helsel | Vogt has served Central Valley families since 2010, and our attorneys were born and raised in the area. 

We bring 40 years of combined experience to injury cases and keep our caseload manageable so that we can get to know you and understand what happened. You can reach us by phone or text, and Spanish-speaking staff members are available. Call for a free consultation to learn how our slip and fall lawyers serving Madera can help.

Our Madera Slip and Fall Attorneys Will Find Out What Caused Your Fall 

A fall can happen in seconds, but finding out what happened can take much longer. Fowler | Helsel | Vogt will look beyond the accident itself and examine the condition that caused you to lose your footing. 

An attorney from our team will gather photos, video footage, incident reports, witness statements, maintenance records, and other evidence. We can also find out who owned, controlled, cleaned, repaired, or maintained the area.

This work matters because the person who owns a building may not be the only party involved. A business tenant, property manager, cleaning company, maintenance contractor, or another party could have played a role.

We will also handle communication with insurers and calculate the losses tied to your injuries. If an insurer disputes responsibility or the value of your claim, we can respond with evidence and prepare the case for court when needed.

You Can Seek Legal Help Regardless of Your Immigration Status 

A lawyer from our team will speak with you about a slip and fall injury even if you do not have legal status in the United States. Our Spanish-speaking staff members can help you understand your options and stay informed about your case.

A Slip and Fall Claim Focuses on Why the Property Was Unsafe 

People sometimes assume that a property owner must pay whenever someone falls. California law does not make property owners responsible for every accident. 

Under California Civil Code § 1714, people generally have a duty of care to use ordinary care in managing their property. A slip and fall case may depend on whether the person or business responsible for the property failed to use reasonable care and whether that failure caused the injury.

Fowler | Helsel | Vogt may investigate hazards such as: 

• Water, oil, food, or another substance on the floor
• Uneven pavement or damaged flooring
• Loose rugs or torn carpet
• Broken or poorly maintained stairs
• Missing or loose handrails
• Merchandise or cords in a walking area
• Poor lighting
• Holes, cracks, or changes in floor height
• Hazards in parking lots or outdoor walkways 

The length of time a hazard existed can become a major issue in an injury case. For example, a store may argue that an employee had no reasonable chance to discover a recent spill. 

Records, video, employee statements, and inspection practices can help show what the business knew or had reason to know.

Slip and Fall Accidents Can Happen Almost Anywhere in Madera 

Fowler | Helsel | Vogt handles premises liability claims involving many types of property. Falls may occur at:

• Grocery stores and other retail businesses
• Restaurants
• Apartment buildings
• Hotels
• Offices
• Parking lots and garages
• Private homes
• Warehouses
• Farms and agricultural properties
• Industrial properties
• Other workplaces

Each location can raise different questions about who controlled the property and who had responsibility for the unsafe area.

A Fall Can Cause Injuries That Take Months or Longer to Heal 

The word “fall” can make an accident sound minor, but the injuries may tell a very different story. Fowler | Helsel | Vogt represents people whose falls cause serious harm and long periods of medical care. 

Common injuries in slip and fall accidents include broken wrists, arms, ankles, hips, and legs. A person may suffer torn ligaments, shoulder injuries, knee damage, back injuries, herniated discs, concussions, traumatic brain injuries, or spinal cord damage.

Recovery From a Serious Fall Can Take Time 

Healing may involve surgery, physical therapy, medication, medical equipment, follow-up visits, or help at home. Some people cannot return to their old jobs. Others return with limits on lifting, standing, walking, or other physical tasks.

A long recovery period can affect a person’s emotional health as well. Chronic pain, loss of independence, trouble sleeping, fear of another fall, anxiety, and distress may become part of daily life. Our Madera slip and fall injury lawyer considers all of these effects when calculating the harm caused by the accident.

Your Damages May Extend Far Beyond the First Hospital Bill 

Depending on what happened, recoverable damages may include:

• Hospital bills
• Surgery and other medical treatment
• Physical and occupational therapy
• Future medical care
• Loss of wages and other income
• Reduced earning ability
• Pain and physical discomfort
• Emotional distress
• Loss of enjoyment of life
• Home care or assistance with daily tasks
• Home modifications needed because of a disability

Future losses can become especially important when an injury causes permanent limits. Our Madera injury lawyers will review medical professionals’ opinions, work history, income records, and long-term care needs when calculating those losses.

Fatal Falls May Give a Family the Right to Bring a Wrongful Death Case 

If your loved one did not survive injuries from a fall, we are deeply sorry for your loss. If your family wants to pursue a legal claim for damages related to the death, Fowler | Helsel | Vogt can take care of the legal work and give your family room to focus on each other. 

Our Madera wrongful death lawyer will handle the investigation of the unsafe property condition and determine who may bear responsibility. We will also identify the family members who may bring a wrongful death action under state law.

Recoverable wrongful death damages may include funeral and burial costs, lost financial support, and the value of certain services and support your loved one would have provided.

If you decide to explore a claim, we will explain the process in plain language and handle the case with care. Contact us today for a free consultation.

California Generally Gives You Two Years to Sue for Damages

A person generally has two years to file a lawsuit for an injury caused by another person’s wrongful death act or negligence. CCP § 335.1 sets this two-year period. The same statute generally provides two years for an action involving a death caused by another person’s wrongful act or neglect. 

After a review of the situation, Fowler | Helsel | Vogt will work to determine which deadline applies to your case. Some claims have different rules, including claims involving government entities, so waiting until the end of the two years can create problems. 

We encourage starting an injury case as early as possible. Doing so can help with evidence, such as surveillance footage that may disappear or witness accounts that may become harder to obtain over time. 

Talk With Fowler | Helsel | Vogt About Your Madera Slip and Fall Injury

A fall injury can leave you juggling medical appointments, missed work, and bills you did not expect. Fowler | Helsel | Vogt will take the insurance claim and legal work off your plate so that you can focus on your health and rebuilding your life.

Just tell us what happened, and we will help from there. Our slip and fall lawyers handling cases in Madera can meet with you to discuss your situation and next steps. We can also travel for consultations when needed.

Call us today for a free consultation.