When you’ve been injured in a slip-and-fall accident, every step matters. Minesh Patel at The Patel Firm has built a reputation for combining legal skill with compassionate client care. His approach is centered on listening to your story, understanding your needs, and creating a legal strategy that gives you the best chance at a fair outcome.
The Corpus Christi slip and fall attorneys at The Patel Firm know that a fall can turn your life upside down in seconds. We offer free consultations, work on a contingency fee basis, and are available 24/7 to serve clients throughout South Texas. Whether you’re downtown, near the North Padre Island beaches, or along South Padre Island Drive, we are ready to help.
How do I protect my rights right after a slip-and-fall in Corpus Christi?
Your actions in the hours and days after a fall can make or break your case. First, get medical attention immediately, even if your injuries seem minor. Some conditions, like concussions or internal injuries, may not show symptoms right away.
Second, document everything. Take clear photos or videos of the hazard, your shoes and clothing, and the surrounding area. In Corpus Christi, that might mean snapping pictures of a cracked SPID sidewalk, a wet aisle at a supermarket on Everhart Road, or a poorly lit stairwell in a beachfront condo.
Third, report the incident to the property owner, manager, or supervisor. Ask for a copy of the incident report and get the names of anyone you speak with.
Finally, preserve evidence. Request that any security camera footage be saved and get contact information for witnesses. Then call us at (956) 527-0321 for a free case review, even if you can’t come into the office.
What must we prove, under Texas law, to get you compensation?
A strong slip-and-fall case rests on proving several key elements under Texas law. First, the property owner or occupier must have owed you a duty of care. If you were legally on the property, such as a customer in a store or a guest in an apartment complex, that duty is high.
Second, we must show notice. This can be actual notice (they knew about the hazard) or constructive notice (they should have known because the hazard existed long enough to be discovered).
Hazards in Corpus Christi range from storm-damaged sidewalks downtown to broken handrails along the Padre Island boardwalks. These are often more dangerous than hazards in other parts of Texas because of the coastal climate and high tourist traffic.
Texas also enforces a two-year statute of limitations for injury claims, with exceptions for minors. Under comparative fault rules, you can only recover damages if you are 50% or less at fault, and your compensation is reduced by your percentage of fault.
Who could be liable for your injuries in Corpus Christi slip-and-fall cases?
Liability can extend beyond the property owner. In many cases, business operators, property managers, maintenance companies, and independent contractors can share responsibility. For example, a city agency might be liable for a dangerous public sidewalk near South Shoreline Boulevard, while a condo association might be responsible for a broken stairway at a North Padre Island complex.
The Corpus Christi slip-and-fall lawyers at The Patel Firm investigate every possible defendant. This comprehensive approach ensures no responsible party escapes accountability.
What slip-and-fall cases do we take on?
The slip-and-fall attorneys at The Patel Firm handle a wide range of cases:
Common cases include:
- Wet or freshly mopped floors without warning signs
- Uneven sidewalks or parking lot potholes
- Broken stairs or missing handrails
- Cracked or loose tiles in stores or public buildings
Less common but equally serious cases include:
- Slips caused by algae or beach debris on public boardwalks during low tide
- Falls due to animal waste in public parks or dog-friendly areas
- Injuries from malfunctioning automatic doors at hospitals or malls
- Collapses from sudden sidewalk sinkholes near canal areas
- Trips over irregular thresholds in historic buildings in the Heritage District
No matter how your fall happened, if negligence was involved, you may have a valid claim.
What injuries and damages can your case include?
Slip-and-fall accidents can cause injuries that last a lifetime. Minesh Patel, as a Corpus Christi slip and fall lawyer, regularly represents clients with:
- Traumatic brain injuries (TBI)
- Spinal cord injuries and paralysis
- Broken bones and fractures
- Head and neck trauma
- Severe soft-tissue injuries
- Permanent scarring and emotional distress
Damages we pursue include:
- Economic damages: medical bills, rehabilitation costs, lost wages, and future care expenses
- Non-economic damages: pain and suffering, emotional trauma, loss of enjoyment of life, and loss of consortium
- Punitive damages: in rare cases, when the defendant’s actions show extreme recklessness
These categories ensure that both your financial losses and personal suffering are addressed in your claim.
Why might defendants deny your claim?
Defendants often rely on common defense tactics to avoid paying fair compensation. They may argue the hazard was “open and obvious,” claim you were distracted, or assert they had no notice of the danger.
Some will point to warning signs, present incomplete cleaning logs, or insist the hazard wasn’t there long enough to be discovered.
As your legal team, we counter these tactics by sending immediate preservation letters, gathering maintenance records, obtaining surveillance footage, consulting with safety experts, and reconstructing the incident when needed. We focus on dismantling each defense before it gains traction.
How will your case move forward with us?
The Corpus Christi slip-and-fall attorneys at The Patel Firm guide clients through a clear and strategic process:
- Free consultation & case evaluation – we assess the facts and give you an honest opinion.
- Investigation & evidence gathering – photos, witness statements, medical records, and expert consultations.
- Demand & negotiation – presenting a strong claim package to the insurer.
- Filing suit – if negotiations fail, we prepare and file your case in court.
- Discovery & preparation – exchanging evidence, depositions, and case strategy.
- Negotiation / mediation – seeking a fair resolution without trial.
- Trial – presenting your case to a jury when necessary.
We work on a contingency-fee basis, meaning you pay nothing unless we win. Cases are typically filed in Nueces County courts, and we maintain close communication throughout.
