Slip & Fall Attorney

Holding Negligent Property Owners Accountable

Slip and fall accidents happen in an instant, but the injuries can last a lifetime. Whether you fell on a wet floor at a Fresno, CA, grocery store, tripped on a broken sidewalk, or were injured in a poorly lit parking lot, property owners and businesses have a legal duty to keep their premises safe. When they fail in that duty, the Law Offices of Davis & VanWagenen holds them accountable.

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Premises Liability Law in California: Property Owner Responsibilities

Under California Civil Code § 1714, property owners and occupiers have a duty of reasonable care to maintain their premises in a safe condition and to warn visitors of known hazards. This legal duty extends to:

Commercial businesses — retail stores, restaurants, shopping centers

Private property owners — homeowners and landlords

Government entities — public sidewalks, parks, and government buildings (special rules apply)

Employers — workplace slip and fall accidents

To succeed in a premises liability claim in California, the injured person must show that the property owner knew or should have known about the hazardous condition and failed to fix it or warn visitors adequately. Our attorneys know how to gather the evidence needed to build a strong case.

Common Causes of Slip and Fall Accidents in Fresno

  • Wet or freshly mopped floors without adequate warning signs
  • Uneven pavement, cracked sidewalks, or damaged walkways
  • Inadequate lighting in parking lots, stairwells, or hallways
  • Loose or torn carpeting and flooring
  • Cluttered aisles or merchandise on the floor in stores
  • Broken or missing handrails on stairs
  • Potholes in parking areas
  • Slippery surfaces due to rain or spills left unaddressed

Injuries Common in Slip, Trip, and Fall Cases

Falls can produce injuries that require extensive medical treatment and can permanently alter a person's quality of life. Common injuries include:

Hip fractures — particularly serious for older adults

Traumatic brain injury (TBI) from striking the head during a fall

Spinal cord injuries and herniated discs

Shoulder, wrist, and elbow injuries from bracing a fall

Knee injuries including torn ligaments and meniscus damage

Soft tissue injuries — sprains, strains, and contusions

What to Do After a Slip and Fall Accident in Fresno

  • Seek medical attention immediately — even minor falls can cause hidden injuries
  • Report the accident to the property owner or manager and request a written incident report
  • Photograph the hazard that caused your fall before it is corrected
  • Collect names and contact information of any witnesses
  • Do not give a recorded statement to an insurance adjuster without legal counsel
  • Contact a Fresno slip and fall attorney promptly

Government Property Falls: Special Rules Apply

If your fall occurred on government-owned property, a public sidewalk, a city park, a government building, you must file a Government Tort Claim with the appropriate agency within six months of the incident under the California Government Claims Act (Government Code § 945.4). This deadline is much shorter than the standard personal injury statute of limitations. Our attorneys are familiar with these special procedures and can make sure your claim is filed correctly and on time.

Proven Results for Slip and Fall Victims in the Central Valley

Scott A. VanWagenen has been representing slip and fall victims in Fresno and throughout the Central Valley for 30 years. He takes these cases seriously because he has seen firsthand how a preventable fall can derail a person's life. We handle your case from start to finish and do not hesitate to take it to trial.

Frequently Asked Questions — Slip and Fall Accidents

  • Q: How do I prove a property owner was negligent in a slip and fall case?

    A: To win a slip-and-fall premises liability case in California, you generally must show that the property owner or occupier created the dangerous condition, knew about it, or should have known about it through reasonable inspection, and failed to fix it or warn visitors. Evidence we commonly use includes: incident reports, surveillance footage, maintenance and inspection logs, witness testimony, and photographs of the hazard. The sooner you contact our office, the faster we can work to preserve this evidence before it disappears.

  • Q: I slipped in a store, but I was wearing flip-flops. Will that hurt my case?

    A: It may be raised as a factor, but it does not necessarily bar your recovery. California's pure comparative fault system means the jury evaluates both the property owner's negligence and any contributing negligence on your part. If the store created or ignored a dangerous wet floor without posting a warning, the property owner still bears significant responsibility even if your footwear was not ideal. Our attorneys present all the facts in the most favorable light for your case and work to minimize any finding of contributory fault against you.

  • Q: I was injured on a city sidewalk in Fresno. Can I still file a claim?

    A: Yes, but you must act fast. Claims against government entities in California require a formal Government Tort Claim to be filed within six months of the date of injury (Government Code § 945.4). If you miss this six-month window, you lose your right to sue — even if the two-year personal injury statute of limitations has not yet expired. Our office handles government claims routinely and can ensure all required forms are filed correctly and on time.

  • Q: The property owner says the spill just happened and they didn't have time to clean it up. What now?

    A: This is a common defense in retail slip-and-fall cases. California courts use a "notice" standard — the property owner must have had actual knowledge of the hazard, or the hazard must have existed long enough that a reasonable inspection would have discovered it. We investigate surveillance footage, employee schedules, cleaning and inspection logs, and other evidence to determine how long the hazard existed before your fall. In many cases, we can demonstrate constructive notice even when the property owner claims ignorance.

You Fell Because of Someone Else's Negligence — Hold Them Accountable

Businesses and property owners know their legal obligations. When they cut corners on maintenance, fail to post warnings, or ignore known hazards, real people get hurt. If that happened to you in Fresno, you have the right to seek full compensation, and we're here to help you do exactly that.

The Law Offices of Davis & VanWagenen handles slip and fall and premises liability cases throughout Fresno, Clovis, Madera, and the Central Valley. We move quickly to preserve evidence, build your case, and negotiate with property owners and their insurers on your behalf. And if they refuse a fair settlement, we take them to trial.

Call (559) 438-1030 today for your free, no-obligation consultation. No fees unless we win — that's our promise to every client.