Injured? We Fight for What You Deserve
One moment you're walking through a grocery store, parking garage, or apartment complex, and the next you're on the ground with a broken bone or a serious head injury. Slip and fall accidents are sometimes dismissed as too minor or embarrassing, but the injuries they cause can be life-altering, and property owners count on victims feeling too unsure to pursue a claim. When a property owner's negligence causes you harm, you have every right to seek compensation. We're My Lawyer Manwel, and we help clients get real results. If you're looking for a slip and fall lawyer in Los Angeles, read more to find out how we can walk you through what it takes to prove your case and why acting quickly matters.
California law requires property owners to maintain their premises in a reasonably safe condition. That sounds simple enough, but to prove negligence in court, you'll need to establish three things. The property owner knew or should have known about the hazard, they did not fix it or warn visitors about it, and their failure directly caused your injury. The law doesn't expect property owners to prevent every accident. A freshly mopped floor without a warning sign can be negligent, but if a rainstorm made the parking lot slick ten minutes ago, then probably not. The important question centers on what the owner knew and how long they had to take care of the problem. An experienced slip and fall attorney in Los Angeles will dig into maintenance logs, employee schedules, and incident reports to prove that the owner had notice. Security footage can show exactly how long the puddle sat there before it was stepped in. Witness statements can confirm that employees walked past the hazard several times. Building a negligence case means connecting the dots between what the owner knew and what they ignored.
Property owners and their insurance companies usually try to argue that the hazard was visible and that any reasonable person would have avoided it, like a pothole in broad daylight or a wet floor with a yellow cone nearby. This defense works sometimes, but it fails a lot, too. California courts recognize that people can be distracted by legitimate activities. You might have been carrying groceries, watching your child, or reading aisle signs when you stepped into a puddle. The law doesn't require you to stare at the ground constantly while shopping. A slip and fall lawyer can also prove that the hazard wasn't as obvious as the defense claims. Poor lighting, visual obstructions, and confusing floor patterns all undermine the "open and obvious" argument. The other weakness in this defense involves what's called "necessary use." If you had to walk through the area to access a bathroom, exit, or service counter, the property owner can't claim you should have avoided it. You had a reason to be there, and they had a duty to make it safe.
The evidence in slip and fall cases has a short shelf life. Property owners will fix whatever hazard caused your fall within hours. Security footage gets recorded over every few days. And witnesses start forgetting the details within a matter of weeks. Acting quickly protects your case. If you're able to stay at the scene, start there. Get out your phone and photograph or video the spot where you fell. Capture the hazard from multiple angles. Then step back and take some wider shots showing the area around you, along with the absence of warning signs. Take pictures of any injuries you can see and the shoes you were wearing. If you've got a wet substance on your clothes, photograph them before everything dries. Now write down exactly what happened while your memory's still clear. Note the time, the date, what the weather was like, and what you were doing in the moments before you fell. Find anyone who witnessed the incident and get their contact information. Ask nearby employees for their names as well. Report what happened to the property owner or manager and request a copy of the incident report they'll fill out. They probably won't give it to you, but asking creates a record that you reported the fall right away. See a doctor within 24 hours, even if you think you're fine. Medical records establish a documented connection between your fall and any injuries you've sustained. Waiting weeks to see a doctor gives the insurance company ammunition to argue that something else caused your problems. A slip and fall attorney in Los Angeles will tell you that gaps in medical treatment sink more cases than weak evidence.
California gives you two years from the date of your injury to file a personal injury lawsuit. If you miss that deadline, the court will dismiss your case regardless of how strong your evidence is. Government properties operate on a much shorter timeline. If you fell on city, county, or state property, you only have six months to file an administrative claim. That includes public sidewalks, government buildings, public transit stations, and municipal parking structures. Two years sounds like plenty of time, but building a strong case takes months. Your slip and fall lawyer in Los Angeles needs time to gather evidence, consult medical experts, calculate your damages, and negotiate with insurance companies. Starting the process early means more leverage and better outcomes. Insurance companies know about these deadlines, too. They'll drag out negotiations and hope you miss your window. They'll request extra documentation, schedule multiple recorded statements, and promise settlements that never materialize. A slip and fall lawyer keeps the pressure on and files suit when negotiations stall.
The longer you wait, the harder your case becomes. Contact My Lawyer Manwel today for a consultation. We've built our reputation on aggressive representation. Our team knows the tactics property owners use to avoid responsibility, and we know how to counter every one of them. When you need a slip and fall attorney, you need lawyers who will return your calls and fight for the compensation you deserve.
At My Lawyer Manwel, we fight for your rights in personal injury and employment law. See what our clients say about working with us.
I contacted My Lawyer Manwel for help with an employment dispute, and I’m very pleased with the service I received. He was knowledgeable, honest, and supportive throughout the entire process. Manwel kept me informed and handled negotiations with confidence and professionalism. He made a difficult situation much easier to manage and achieved a positive resolution. I would not hesitate to recommend My Lawyer Manwel to anyone needing experienced and reliable legal representation.
My Lawyer Manwel was incredibly helpful during my personal injury case. After my accident, I felt stressed and unsure of what to expect. Manwel explained everything in simple terms and was always available to answer my questions. He handled the legal details with professionalism and care, allowing me to focus on recovery. The settlement he secured helped cover my medical expenses and eased my financial worries. I truly appreciate his dedication and highly recommend his services.
I had a great experience working with My Lawyer Manwel on an employment law matter. He listened carefully to my concerns and provided clear, honest advice. Manwel was always responsive and made sure I understood every step of the process. He handled my case professionally and worked hard to protect my rights. The outcome was fair and allowed me to move forward with confidence. I’m very grateful for his help and would recommend My Lawyer Manwel to anyone facing workplace legal issues.
My Lawyer Manwel provided excellent support during my personal injury case. From the beginning, he was professional, patient, and very knowledgeable. He took the time to explain my rights and the legal process clearly, which made me feel confident and informed. Manwel handled all communication with the insurance company and kept me updated throughout the case. His dedication and attention to detail truly stood out. Thanks to his hard work, my case had a positive outcome. I highly recommend My Lawyer Manwel to anyone needing a trustworthy personal injury attorney.
Don't sign without carefully reviewing all of the terms, including release of claims, non-disparagement clauses, and confidentiality provisions. You usually have the right to consult with an attorney who can negotiate better terms on your behalf.
Enforceability varies dramatically by state, with some banning them entirely and others enforcing them when reasonable in scope and duration. Recent legal trends have moved toward limiting these agreements. Having an attorney review your specific agreement is essential.
Most discrimination claims must first be filed with the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission or your state's equivalent agency before pursuing a lawsuit. Strict deadlines apply, often within one hundred eighty to three hundred days of the discriminatory act.
Misclassification occurs when employers label workers as contractors to avoid providing benefits owed to employees. The determination depends on factors like company control over your work, schedule flexibility, and who provides tools and equipment.
Numerous federal and state laws protect employees who report illegal activity, safety violations, or fraud from employer retaliation. Whistleblowers may be entitled to reinstatement, back pay, and other remedies if they face adverse employment actions.
Generally speaking, employers have some flexibility to modify duties and compensation, but they can't make any changes that violate contracts, discriminate, or constitute retaliation. Sudden changes following a complaint or protected activity may raise legal concerns.
A hostile work environment exists when unwelcome conduct based on a protected characteristic is pervasive or severe enough to create an intimidating or abusive workplace. This goes beyond occasional rudeness and must materially affect your ability to do your job.
Under the Fair Labor Standards Act, the majority of employees working more than forty hours per week must receive overtime pay at one and a half times their regular rate. However, certain exemptions apply based on salary level and job duties, which employers sometimes misapply.
Wrongful termination happens if an employee is fired in a way that violates federal or state laws, employment contracts, or public policy. Examples include being fired due to discrimination, retaliation for whistleblowing, or refusing to engage in illegal activities.
Federal and state law prohibit employers from retaliating against employees who report illegal conduct or file discrimination complaints. Retaliation can include termination, demotion, or creating a hostile environment. If you experience retaliation, you may have an additional legal claim.
Document every incident in detail. That includes dates, times, witnesses, and what occurred. Report the harassment through your company's internal complaint process and keep copies of all communications. If internal channels don't resolve the issue, consulting with an attorney is an important next step.
Workplace discrimination occurs when an employer treats someone unfavorably because of a protected characteristic like race, gender, age, religion, disability, or national origin. This can include hiring and firing decisions, promotions, pay, job assignments, and harassment.
If your health insurance paid for any treatment that's related to your injury, they may have a right to reimbursement from any settlement through a process called subrogation. Your attorney can often negotiate these liens down to maximize what you keep.
A settlement is an agreement that is reached outside of the court, where the at-fault party agrees to pay compensation in exchange for releasing liability. A verdict is a decision that's made by a judge or jury after a trial determines the outcome.
While you can represent yourself, insurance companies often take advantage of unrepresented claimants with lowball settlements. Studies show that injured individuals who hire attorneys recover significantly more compensation even after paying legal fees.
The timeline varies depending on the complexity of your case, the severity of injuries, and whether it settles or goes to trial. Simpler cases may resolve in a few months, while complex litigation can take several years.
You may still have options, including your own uninsured or underinsured motorist coverage if the incident involved a vehicle. An experienced attorney can identify all of the potential sources of compensation available to you.
Fault is normally established by examining evidence like police reports, medical records, witness statements, and expert testimony. Your attorney will investigate the circumstances to build a compelling case. In some states, you may still recover damages even if you were partially at fault.
First, get medical attention even if you feel okay, as some injuries don't show symptoms right away. Document everything, including photos of the scene and witness contact information, and avoid giving recorded statements to insurance companies before talking to an attorney.
Most personal injury cases are settled out of court via negotiations with insurance companies or the opposing party. However, if a fair settlement cannot be reached, taking your case to trial may be necessary to obtain the compensation you deserve.
Most personal injury cases are settled out of court via negotiations with insurance companies or the opposing party. However, if a fair settlement cannot be reached, taking your case to trial may be necessary to obtain the compensation you deserve.
Victims can recover damages for medical expenses, lost wages, emotional distress, pain, and suffering or loss of enjoyment of life. In cases involving egregious conduct, punitive damages may also be available to punish the wrongdoer.
Every state has a statute of limitations that sets a deadline for filing personal injury lawsuits, typically ranging from one to four years depending on where you live. Missing this deadline almost always means losing your right to pursue compensation, so consult with an attorney as soon as possible after your injury.
A personal injury case is when someone suffers harm because another party was negligent, reckless, or engaged in intentional misconduct. A few examples include car accidents, slip and falls, medical malpractice, and workplace injuries. If someone else's actions led to your injury, you may have grounds for a claim.