How To Choose A Slip And Fall Attorney In Los Angeles

To choose the right slip and fall attorney in Los Angeles, hire a lawyer who can do three things immediately:

1. Preserve evidence fast (video footage, incident reports, witnesses, maintenance logs)

2. Prove “notice” (the owner knew or should have known about the hazard and didn’t fix it)

3. Apply real litigation pressure (not just “send a demand and hope”)

If your lawyer can’t explain how they’ll prove notice and lock down video within days, you’re already losing leverage.

📞 The Law Offices of Gerald L. Marcus — Free consultation: (818) 784-8544

Top 10 Questions to Ask a Slip and Fall Lawyer in Los Angeles

(Use this list exactly—these answers separate real premises-liability firms from “volume” operations.)

1. What will you do in the first 72 hours to preserve evidence and video?

2. How do you prove notice—actual notice vs. constructive notice (reasonable inspection)?

3. Will you send spoliation/preservation letters immediately to the owner and insurers?

4. Who is the defendant—owner, tenant, property manager, maintenance vendor—and how do you identify all of them?

5. Do you have investigators or a process to secure witnesses and scene evidence fast?

6. What’s your plan if they claim the hazard was “open and obvious”?

7. What’s your strategy if they argue you were at fault (comparative negligence)?

8. Do you routinely handle serious-injury cases (fractures, surgery, TBI), or mostly minor claims?

9. What’s your fee structure—and how are case costs handled?

10. If the insurer lowballs, will you file suit and push the case toward trial?

Top 10 FAQs

1) What should I look for in a Los Angeles slip and fall attorney?

Look for speed (evidence), a notice-proof strategy, and litigation readiness.

2) Why is “notice” so important in slip and fall cases?

Because the key fight is usually whether the property defendant knew or should have known about the hazard and failed to fix it.

3) How fast does video footage disappear?

Often within days. Many systems overwrite automatically. That’s why you want a lawyer who moves immediately.

4) Do I need a lawyer for a “minor” fall?

If you needed medical care, missed work, or the owner is denying fault—get a consult. “Minor” injuries can become expensive fast.

5) What if I fell on a sidewalk in Los Angeles?

Sidewalk liability can be complicated. The right lawyer will identify all potential responsible parties and move fast on evidence.

6) What if it happened at a store, hotel, or apartment complex?

Those cases can involve multiple responsible entities (owner/tenant/manager/contractors). Your lawyer should know how to identify and pursue all of them.

7) What if I was partially at fault?

California uses comparative fault principles, so partial fault doesn’t automatically kill the claim—but it can reduce value. Your lawyer must attack blame-shifting early.

8) What deadlines apply in California?

Many personal injury lawsuits generally must be filed within two years.
If a public entity may be involved, a claim often must be presented within six months.

9) How do slip and fall lawyers get paid?

Most work on contingency (no attorney fee unless there’s a recovery), but confirm the percentage and how costs are handled in writing.

10) What’s the biggest mistake after a slip and fall?

Waiting—because evidence disappears, and the defense uses delay to argue your injuries weren’t serious or the hazard wasn’t real.

The LA Slip and Fall Reality: Your Case Is a Race

In Los Angeles, the defense playbook is predictable:

• “We didn’t know about it.”

• “It was obvious—watch where you’re going.”

• “You caused it.”

• “You weren’t really hurt.”

• “No video exists.” (or it “was overwritten”)

A strong premises-liability attorney builds the case to neutralize those defenses immediately.

What a “Top-Tier” LA Slip and Fall Lawyer Does in the First Week

1) Evidence lockdown

• Preservation letters to the property owner/manager and insurers

• Requests for surveillance video (all angles + time windows)

• Incident report retrieval

• Witness identification and statements

• Scene photos/video, measurements, lighting conditions, warning signs

2) Notice strategy (the core of most cases)

Your lawyer should be able to explain—clearly—how they’ll prove:

• Actual notice: they knew about the hazard (complaints, prior incidents, employee awareness), or

• Constructive notice: it existed long enough that a reasonable inspection would have found it (maintenance/inspection logs, cleaning schedules, staffing, store procedures)

3) Defendant mapping (who actually pays)

In LA, the “property owner” isn’t always the only target. A serious lawyer investigates:

• owner vs. tenant vs. property manager

• maintenance/janitorial vendors

• security vendors

• construction contractors

• entities controlling the specific area

The 7 Biggest Red Flags (Don’t Ignore These)

1. They can’t explain notice in plain English

2. They don’t talk about preserving video immediately

3. You never speak to a lawyer—only intake staff

4. They promise a dollar amount instantly

5. Their “plan” is just demand letters and waiting

6. They don’t investigate who controls the area (owner/tenant/manager)

7. They avoid the topic of litigation (“we never sue”)—that’s a leverage problem

What to Do Immediately After a Slip and Fall in Los Angeles

(These steps protect your health and your claim.)

1. Report it and request an incident report number

2. Photograph/video the hazard from multiple angles (include lighting and any missing warning signs)

3. Get witness names + numbers (don’t rely on the property to “keep it on file”)

4. Seek medical evaluation the same day if possible

5. Keep your shoes/clothing (don’t wash them)

6. Don’t give recorded statements to insurers without legal guidance

7. Call a premises liability lawyer quickly—video is the first thing to disappear

Deadlines That Can Destroy a Good Case

Two big timing rules matter in California:

• Many personal injury actions must generally be brought within two years.

• Claims involving public entities often require a formal claim within six months.

Public entity situations can include falls tied to government-controlled property or operations. If there’s any chance that applies, move fast.

Why Injury Victims Choose The Law Offices of Gerald L. Marcus

If you want a Los Angeles firm built around speed, pressure, and serious case-building, start here:

• $450M+ recovered, 20,000+ cases fought, and serving clients since 1987

• The firm also states it’s selected for multiple years of California Super Lawyers

• Free consultation and no fee unless there’s a recovery

📞 Call (818) 784-8544 to speak with The Law Offices of Gerald L. Marcus.

The “Best” Lawyer Is the One Who Can Prove Your Case

A slip and fall claim is won with proof, not slogans.

Choose a Los Angeles slip and fall attorney who:

• moves fast on video and witnesses

• understands notice and inspection proof

• identifies every responsible party

• is willing to litigate when insurers refuse to pay fair value

📞 Free consultation: (818) 784-8544 — The Law Offices of Gerald L. Marcus.