When dealing with insurance companies after a slip and fall accident in California, remain cautious and avoid admitting fault or downplaying your injuries. Provide only necessary details about the incident and refer to medical documentation to support your claim. It’s often helpful to consult a personal injury attorney to ensure fair compensation and protect your rights during negotiations. Our slip and fall attorneys at Salamati Law Firm offer tips for working with insurance companies while protecting your potential compensation.
Boasting decades of litigation experience, we are uniquely qualified to handle a wide range of premises liability claims. We will work diligently on your behalf to negotiate with insurance companies and secure a favorable settlement or court award. Schedule a free consultation with a Los Angeles premises liability attorney today.
The Importance of Hiring a Los Angeles Slip and Fall Lawyer

If you were seriously injured due to a property owner’s negligence, you need a skilled and seasoned lawyer with a long history of successful cases. Our track record in premises liability cases speaks for itself. Attorney Sean F. Salamati has been instrumental in obtaining seven-figure recoveries for his clients. We help you avoid common missteps that could potentially minimize your settlement and impact your ability to pay medical bills and other expenses.
Always consult your slip-and-fall lawyer at Salamati Law before providing any written or verbal statement to insurance companies. Our job is to guide you and oversee your claim to protect your rights and prevent you from saying anything that could jeopardize your right to recover compensation for your losses and damages.
While accepting a quick settlement is tempting, this may not always be the best decision because it could undervalue the full extent of your injuries, future medical needs, or other damages like lost wages and pain and suffering.
What to do After an Accident to Safeguard Your Claim

After a slip and fall accident in California, taking specific steps is crucial to safeguard your claim. First, seek immediate medical attention to document your injuries, even if they initially seem minor, as some injuries may worsen over time. Report the incident to the property owner or manager and request a written report, ensuring the details of the accident are accurately recorded.
Gather evidence by taking photographs of the scene, including the hazard that caused the fall, and collect contact information from any witnesses. Avoid giving detailed statements to insurance companies or admitting fault, as this can impact your claim. Finally, consult a personal injury attorney at Salamati Law to navigate California’s legal requirements and maximize your chances of receiving fair compensation.
How to Deal With Insurance Adjusters

Aside from collecting and sharing documentation with your attorney, you should also know what to say—and what not to say—when dealing with insurance adjusters. They investigate the slip and fall claim, assess the company’s liability, and settle the claim for as little as possible. To do this, they review the evidence and may interview you, the claimant, and other witnesses or experts.
Remember that adjusters work for insurance companies, and their goal is often to reduce the payout amount. Always proceed with caution when communicating with adjusters, knowing that anything you say can be used to deny or minimize your claim.
Always stick to the facts. Be truthful and consistent in your statements, and avoid minimizing or exaggerating your injuries. Whenever possible, request written correspondence so that your interactions are documented.
The Role of Insurance in a Slip and Fall Claim

Slip and fall insurance coverage plays a critical role in personal injury claims by providing financial coverage for accident victims for their medical expenses, lost wages, and pain and suffering. For property owners, insurance policies like homeowners’ or commercial general liability insurance help mitigate the financial burden of claims arising from accidents on their premises.
Insurance companies also investigate claims, assess liability, and negotiate settlements, acting as intermediaries between the property owner and the injured party. Understanding the different types of slip and fall insurance coverage is essential.
Homeowners Insurance
If you fall at a private residence, you will likely file a claim with their homeowners insurance policy. Generally, California homeowners’ policies provide two types of coverage for slip and fall accidents: liability coverage and medical payments (Med Pay) coverage.
As noted, liability coverage is designed to compensate you for economic damages (e.g., medical bills and lost wages) and non-economic damages (e.g., pain and suffering), subject to the policy limits. However, the extent of coverage will depend on the specific terms and limits of the homeowner’s policy.
Med Pay offers limited reimbursement ($2,000-$5,000) for medical bills incurred by the injured person, regardless of fault, as a goodwill measure to avoid disputes.
Rental Insurance
Most renters’ insurance policies protect your belongings, such as furniture, electronics, and clothing, against damage or loss due to covered events like fire, theft, or vandalism and liability coverage for damages if you’re found responsible for injuring someone or damaging their property, including medical bills and legal fees.
If you are harmed in a slip and fall accident in California, you may have the right to pursue a claim against the party responsible for maintaining safe conditions on the property. Typically, this could be the landlord or property manager if the accident resulted from their negligence, such as failing to repair hazardous conditions or violating safety codes. However, the landlord’s liability depends on whether they knew or should have known about the hazard and failed to address it.
Commercial Liability Insurance
Commercial general liability (CGL) insurance protects businesses and commercial property owners from financial losses arising from accident victims’ personal injury claims. Commercial general liability (CGL) insurance is not legally required for all businesses in California, but it is strongly recommended.
Certain industries or contracts may require businesses to carry CGL insurance as a condition of licensing, permits, or agreements with clients. Even when not mandatory, having CGL coverage is a prudent way to protect against financial risks from lawsuits or claims. Business owners who do not carry it risk steep slip and fall settlement costs and legal fees if they are sued for bodily injury.
Umbrella Policies
Residential and commercial property owners may carry optional insurance beyond their primary liability coverage to enhance protection against potential risks. For example, umbrella insurance policiesprovide additional liability limits that kick in once the primary coverage is exhausted, offering broader financial security in the event of high-cost claims.
Common Injuries in a Los Angeles Slip and Fall Accident

Falls are the leading cause of emergency room visits in the U.S., accounting for nearly one-quarter of yearly injuries, often severe enough to incur substantial medical bills and income loss if the injured person cannot work. Falls on wet or slippery surfaces, such as stairways, parking lots, shopping malls, office buildings, and private property, can be permanently debilitating and include the following:
- Broken bones
- Soft tissue injuries
- Traumatic brain injury (TBI)
- Spinal cord injuries
- Neck and back injuries
Older adults are at a higher risk of falling and being seriously injured in a slip-and-fall accident, in part due to age-related physiological changes like decreasing muscle mass and bone density. The CDC reports that three million older adults go to the ER after a fall each year, and an estimated one million are hospitalized for their injuries.
Contact the Salamati Law Firm for a Free Consultation

Premises liability litigation can be complex, which is why it’s crucial to choose an advocate wisely. If you were seriously hurt due to hazardous or dangerous property conditions and would like to explore your legal options, contact Salamati Law to arrange a free, no-obligation case review today. Since we work on a contingency fee basis, you will not pay attorney’s fees unless we win compensation for your injuries. Se habla Español.