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Slip and Fall Accident Lawyers

Slip and Fall Accident Lawyers in the San Francisco Bay Area

Slip and fall attorney Bay Area

Serving Alameda, Santa Clara, Contra Costa, and San Joaquin Counties

Slip-and-fall accidents are among the most common causes of serious injury in California, often resulting from unsafe property conditions that could have been prevented. Whether you fell in a grocery store, parking lot, apartment complex, or workplace, you may be entitled to compensation under California premises liability law.

At Ginny Walia Law Offices, our experienced personal injury attorneys help victims of slip and fall accidents throughout the San Francisco Bay Area hold negligent property owners accountable and recover the damages they deserve.

Understanding Slip-and-Fall Accidents Under California Law

Under California Civil Code §1714, property owners and occupiers have a legal duty to maintain their premises in a reasonably safe condition. This means they must repair or warn visitors of hazards they knew-or should have known-about.

If they fail to do so and someone is injured as a result, the injured party may bring a premises liability claim seeking compensation for medical expenses, lost wages, pain and suffering, and more.

Common Causes of Slip and Fall Accidents

  • Wet or slippery floors without warning signs
  • Uneven sidewalks or broken pavement
  • Poor lighting in stairways or parking areas
  • Loose rugs, cables, or debris in walkways
  • Spills or leaks in grocery stores and restaurants
  • Damaged stairs or missing handrails

Common Injuries

Slip-and-fall injuries can range from minor bruises to life-changing trauma, such as:

  • Fractures and broken bones
  • Back, neck, or spinal injuries
  • Traumatic brain injuries (TBI) or concussions
  • Soft tissue injuries and sprains
  • Hip and knee injuries
  • Long-term pain and mobility issues

In the most tragic cases, severe falls can result in fatal injuries, leading to wrongful death claims by surviving family members.

Proving Negligence in a Slip and Fall Case

To succeed in a slip-and-fall claim, your attorney must prove that:

  1. A dangerous condition existed on the property.
  2. The property owner knew or should have known about it.
  3. The owner failed to fix or warn of the danger.
  4. You were injured as a direct result of that negligence.

California follows a comparative negligence rule-meaning your compensation may be reduced if you were partially at fault. Our firm carefully investigates each case to establish liability and maximize your recovery.

Where Slip-and-Fall Accidents Commonly Occur

Our law firm represents clients injured in:

  • Retail stores, shopping malls, and supermarkets
  • Apartment complexes and rental properties
  • Office buildings and public facilities
  • Restaurants, hotels, and entertainment venues
  • Sidewalks, parking lots, and construction sites

Whether your accident occurred in Oakland, San Jose, Fremont, Walnut Creek, Stockton, or surrounding areas, our attorneys are ready to take action on your behalf.

What to Do After a Slip-and-Fall Accident

If you've been injured in a fall, take the following steps to protect your claim:

  1. Seek medical attention immediately, even for minor injuries.
  2. Report the incident to the property owner or manager.
  3. Take photos of the hazard, your injuries, and surroundings.
  4. Gather witness information, if available.
  5. Do not give statements to insurance adjusters before consulting a lawyer.
  6. Contact an experienced personal injury attorney as soon as possible.

Compensation Available for Slip-and-Fall Victims

Depending on your case, you may be entitled to compensation for:

  • Medical expenses (current and future)
  • Lost wages and loss of earning capacity
  • Pain and suffering
  • Emotional distress
  • Rehabilitation and therapy costs
  • Long-term care expenses

Why Choose Ginny Walia Law Offices

For over 20 years, Ginny Walia Law Offices has represented clients across the San Francisco Bay Area, providing aggressive, compassionate advocacy for injury victims.

Our firm is known for:

  • Proven results in personal injury and negligence cases
  • Individualized attention and client-focused service
  • Extensive trial experience in Northern California courts
  • No fee unless we win-you don't pay unless we recover for you

Serving Clients Across Bay Area Counties

We handle slip and fall accident claims in:

  • Alameda County: Oakland, Fremont, Hayward, Pleasanton
  • Santa Clara County: San Jose, Santa Clara, Sunnyvale, Milpitas
  • Contra Costa County: Walnut Creek, Concord, Antioch, Richmond
  • San Joaquin County: Stockton, Tracy, Manteca, Lodi

Get a Free Consultation Today

If you or a loved one has been injured in a slip and fall accident, contact Ginny Walia Law Offices for a free, no-obligation consultation. We'll review your case, explain your rights, and fight to recover the maximum compensation you deserve.

Request Free Consultation Call +1 (800) 379-9330

Slip and Fall Accident FAQs

First, seek medical attention for your injuries. Then, report the incident to the property owner or manager, take photos of the hazard and your injuries, and collect witness contact information. Avoid speaking to insurance adjusters before consulting an attorney, as anything you say could be used against your claim.

In most cases, the statute of limitations for slip-and-fall accidents in California is two years from the date of the injury (California Code of Civil Procedure §335.1). If the property is owned by a government entity, such as a city or county, you must file an administrative claim within 6 months. Missing these deadlines can permanently bar your right to recovery.

Liability typically falls on the property owner, occupier, or manager who failed to maintain safe conditions or warn visitors of known hazards. This can include store owners or franchises, landlords or property management companies, municipalities (for public sidewalks or buildings), and employers or contractors (in workplace settings). Your attorney will investigate to determine all responsible parties.

California follows the rule of comparative negligence, meaning you can still recover damages even if you were partially at fault — but your compensation will be reduced by your percentage of fault. For example, if you were found 20% responsible and your damages were $100,000, you would still receive $80,000.

The value of your claim depends on several factors, including the severity and permanence of your injuries, medical expenses and lost income, pain and emotional suffering, and whether the property owner's conduct was especially negligent. At Ginny Walia Law Offices, we thoroughly evaluate every case to pursue the maximum compensation available under California law.

You may still have a premises liability claim. California law covers injuries caused by unsafe property conditions — such as falling objects, unsafe stairs, or collapsing structures — even if no "slip or trip" occurred. The key question is whether the property owner was negligent in maintaining safety.

Yes. To succeed, you must show the property owner knew or should have known about the dangerous condition and failed to fix or warn of it in a reasonable time. For example, if a spill sat on a grocery store floor for hours without cleanup, that can demonstrate negligence.

If your fall happened at work, you may be eligible for workers' compensation benefits. However, if a third party (like a building owner, contractor, or maintenance company) contributed to the hazard, you may also have a separate personal injury claim for additional damages. Our attorneys handle both types of claims.

Strong evidence includes photographs or video of the accident scene, witness statements, accident reports, surveillance footage, medical records and doctor's notes, and proof of lost wages or employment impact. Our legal team can gather and preserve this evidence quickly before it's lost or altered.

At Ginny Walia Law Offices, we handle personal injury cases on a contingency fee basis — meaning you pay nothing upfront. We only collect a fee if we win your case. Your consultation is free, and we'll explain all costs clearly before proceeding.

Every case is different. Some cases settle in a few months, while more complex ones involving serious injuries or disputed liability may take a year or longer. Our goal is always to resolve your case efficiently while ensuring you receive full and fair compensation.

Most cases are resolved through settlements with insurance companies. However, if the insurer refuses to make a fair offer, we are fully prepared to take your case to trial. Ginny Walia and her team are experienced litigators with a strong courtroom record in Bay Area courts.