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Santa Ana Slip and Fall Lawyer

  • 35 years of litigation experience
  • Private and government property claims
  • We take on the tough cases
  • English & Spanish
  • No Fee Until We Win
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Legally Reviewed by Tom Willford on November 5, 2026

A slip and fall can happen in a moment and change your life for months or years. If you were hurt in a fall at a store, apartment, parking lot, sidewalk, or public building in Santa Ana, you may be wondering who is responsible and what to do next.

Attorney Tom Willford has spent 35 years litigating cases in state and federal courts. His firm takes on difficult cases that many other attorneys will not, including claims against property owners and public entities.

These claims often turn on small details, such as what a property owner knew and when. We work to uncover them.

Senior woman using a walker stepping on a wet floor

Time-Sensitive: California Law Limits Your Window to File

In most California slip and fall cases, you have two years from the date of the fall to file a lawsuit.

If you fell on government or public property, a written claim may be due in as little as six months. Tom Willford has represented injured clients for 35 years. Reach out early so your deadline is not missed.

Slip and Fall Accidents in Santa Ana: What to Know

A slip and fall claim generally arises when someone is hurt because of a dangerous condition on property and the person responsible did not take reasonable steps to prevent it. Common hazards include:

  • Wet or freshly mopped floors without warning signs
  • Cracked or uneven sidewalks and parking lots
  • Poor lighting, loose handrails, or damaged stairs
  • Spills, debris, or objects left in walkways

If another party’s carelessness caused your fall, you may have the right to seek compensation. Learn more about our premises liability practice.

Caution wet floor sign in a shopping mall

Common Injuries in Slip and Fall Accidents

Falls can cause serious injuries, especially for older adults. They may include:

  • Fractures and broken bones, including hips and wrists
  • Head injuries and concussions
  • Back and spinal injuries
  • Torn ligaments and joint damage
  • Cuts, bruises, and soft tissue injuries

Some falls lead to long recoveries or serious injuries that affect work and daily life.

Doctor examining a patient's fractured arm

Why Slip and Fall Cases Take Experience

Slip and fall claims are often disputed. You need a lawyer who understands:

  • Notice – what the property owner knew, or reasonably should have known, about the hazard
  • Evidence that disappears quickly – surveillance video, inspection logs, and maintenance records
  • Comparative fault – how California rules can reduce a recovery if a person shares blame
  • Government claim rules – shorter deadlines and special procedures for public property

Tom Willford has litigated complex cases in state and federal courts for 35 years, and he is prepared to take a difficult case to trial when needed.

Personal injury attorneys discussing a case at a meeting
Deep crack in a concrete sidewalk

Who May Be Responsible for a Slip and Fall?

Responsibility depends on who controlled the property. Depending on the facts, it may involve:

  • A store, restaurant, or business owner
  • A landlord or property manager
  • A homeowner or homeowners association
  • A contractor responsible for work or maintenance
  • A city, county, school district, or other public entity

We investigate the details to identify who may be responsible.

What Compensation May Be Available?

Depending on your case, you may be able to seek damages for:

  • Medical bills – emergency care, surgery, therapy, rehabilitation
  • Lost income – missed work and reduced future earning ability
  • Pain and suffering
  • Loss of enjoyment of life
  • Ongoing care needs – future treatment and support
  • Wrongful death damages – if a family lost a loved one

Every case is different, and no result can be promised. We evaluate your claim based on real evidence and how the fall has affected your life.

Health care billing statement with a stethoscope
Caution wet floor sign on a staircase

What to Do After a Slip and Fall in Santa Ana

To protect your health and your legal rights:

  1. Get medical care right away – even if injuries seem minor
  2. Report the fall to the owner, manager, or agency, and ask for a written incident report
  3. Document the scene – photos of the hazard, the area, and your injuries before conditions change
  4. Get witness information
  5. Keep your shoes and clothing from the fall
  6. Do not give a recorded statement to an insurance company before speaking with an attorney
  7. Call Willford Law Corp. – we will explain your options

California generally gives you two years to file a personal injury lawsuit, and acting quickly helps protect your case.

How We Build Your Case

We use facts and evidence to support your claim, which may include:

  • Photos and video of the hazard
  • Surveillance footage and incident reports
  • Inspection, cleaning, and maintenance records
  • Medical records and bills
  • Eyewitness accounts
  • Expert analysis where appropriate

We build a clear case that shows how the fall happened and how it has changed your life.

Lawyer and client reviewing case documents before signing

Working With Willford Law Corp. on Your Claim

Property owners and insurance companies may dispute whether a hazard existed or whether they had notice of it. You should have an attorney who knows how to respond.

Tom Willford handles negotiations and pushes for a fair outcome. If a fair resolution is not offered, we are prepared to take the case to court.

Santa Ana personal injury attorney Tom Willford

Why Choose Tom Willford as Your Santa Ana Slip and Fall Lawyer?

  • 35 years of litigation experience – Personal injury is his passion
  • State and federal courts – Admitted in the Central, Eastern, Northern, and Southern Districts of California
  • Government claims experience – We handle claims against public entities
  • Difficult cases welcome – We take on cases many attorneys will not
  • Local office – Metro Pointe in Santa Ana, near South Coast Plaza and the 405 and 55 freeways
  • Bilingual service – English and Spanish

A serious fall can change your life, and the stakes are high. We treat these cases seriously.

Attorney Tom Willford at Willford Law Corporation office

California Law and Your Slip and Fall Claim

California property owners are generally expected to use reasonable care to keep their property safe. California also follows a pure comparative negligence rule, so a person who shares some fault for a fall may still recover compensation, although the award can be reduced by that share.

In most cases, you have two years from the date of the injury to file a personal injury lawsuit, and a written claim generally must be presented within six months if a public agency is involved. Learn more about government claims and premises liability, or contact Willford Law Corporation to protect your deadline.

FAQ Questions

Frequently Asked Questions

What should I do after a slip and fall in Santa Ana?
Get medical care right away, even if you feel okay. Report the fall to the owner, manager, or agency and ask for a written incident report. Photograph the hazard and the surrounding area, collect witness information, and keep the shoes and clothing you wore. Avoid giving a recorded statement to an insurance company before speaking with an attorney.
It depends on who controlled the property and whether they knew, or reasonably should have known, about the hazard and failed to fix it or warn about it. That may be a business owner, landlord, property manager, homeowner, or contractor. An attorney can help identify who may be responsible.
Claims involving a city, county, school district, or other public entity follow special rules, including a much shorter deadline. A written claim generally must be presented within six months. Contact us as soon as possible so your deadline is not missed.
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Do I have to prove the owner knew about the hazard?
In many slip and fall cases, what the owner knew or reasonably should have known matters. Evidence such as inspection logs, maintenance records, and surveillance video can help show how long a hazard existed. We work to gather that evidence early, because it can disappear.
In many cases, yes. California follows a pure comparative negligence rule, so you may still recover compensation if you share some fault, although your award can be reduced by your percentage of fault.
In most cases, you have two years from the date of the injury to file a personal injury lawsuit in California. A claim involving a government agency, such as for a dangerous condition on public property, can require a written claim within six months. Contact us as soon as possible so your deadline is not missed.
Certain family members may be able to bring a wrongful death claim, and the deadline is generally two years from the date of death in California. Our wrongful death practice can explain who may file and what to expect. Please reach out as early as you can.

Let's Get Started.

Call us now to discuss your case. At Willford Law Corporation, our clients come first. We know how to navigate the complicated legal system, have represented thousands of clients, and we can help you too.

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