Introduction
More than $10 million recovered for clients and a 5-star Google rating built across more than 150 client representations: Alden Law, founded by attorney Matthew Alden and operating out of San Bernardino, California, has established a track record that speaks to both volume and quality of results. The firm combines a personal injury practice, covering vehicle accidents, workers’ compensation, dog bites, wrongful death, and premises liability, with a probate practice that serves clients managing estates and inheritance matters in the Inland Empire. The address at 255 N D Street, Suite 200, San Bernardino, CA 92401 places the firm in the heart of the county it most frequently serves, and the firm can be reached at 909-414-0797.
Matthew Alden founded the practice with a specific philosophy: injured clients and families dealing with estate matters deserve direct representation from the attorney they hired, not delegation to less experienced staff. That approach is reflected in the results and in the consistency of the client feedback that has produced a 5-star rating across more than 150 representations.
Practice Areas
Personal Injury
Car Accidents
California’s pure comparative negligence rule applies to car accident claims. Under this doctrine, a plaintiff can recover compensation even if they were partially at fault for the accident. The recovery is reduced by the plaintiff’s percentage of fault, but it is not eliminated. This makes the legal analysis of fault allocation critical, because an insurer that successfully assigns 40% of fault to an injured driver reduces the payout by 40%. Alden Law pushes back on improper fault allocations and builds cases that establish the other driver’s primary responsibility.
Workers’ Compensation
California workers’ compensation law requires injured employees to report workplace injuries to their employer within 30 days of the incident. The employer provides the DWC-1 claim form, which initiates the benefits process. Benefits available through the California workers’ compensation system include temporary disability payments (replacing a portion of lost wages during recovery), permanent disability payments (for injuries with lasting functional impact), supplemental job displacement benefits (for retraining when an injured worker cannot return to their previous job), and death benefits for dependents when a workplace injury results in death.
The 30-day reporting deadline is not a technicality. Missing it can result in reduced or denied benefits. The firm advises injured workers to report immediately and to seek legal counsel before providing recorded statements to claims adjusters.
Dog Bites
California imposes strict liability on dog owners for bite injuries. Unlike states that apply a “one bite” rule requiring proof that the owner knew the dog was dangerous, California holds owners liable for a first bite as long as the victim was in a public place or lawfully in a private place at the time. This strict liability framework means that the primary focus of a California dog bite claim is documenting the injury, the circumstances of the incident, and the damages.
Wrongful Death
Wrongful death claims in California must be filed within two years of the date of death. These claims allow surviving family members to recover for the financial and personal losses caused by the death, including lost financial support, loss of companionship, funeral and burial expenses, and the deceased’s pre-death pain and suffering through a survival claim. The firm handles wrongful death cases arising from vehicle accidents, workplace injuries, and other negligence scenarios.
Premises Liability
Premises liability cases at Alden Law span several specific categories. Slip and fall cases involve the property owner’s failure to address a dangerous condition that caused an injury. Swimming pool accidents can involve drowning, near-drowning, or pool-surround injuries, and may implicate specific California safety codes governing pool barriers and fencing. Negligent security claims arise when a property owner’s failure to provide adequate security allows a foreseeable criminal act to occur on the premises, injuring a visitor. Each of these categories requires a distinct investigative approach and a different legal theory of liability.
Probate
The probate practice handles estate administration proceedings in California courts. When a person dies with assets that do not pass automatically through joint tenancy, beneficiary designations, or a trust, those assets typically must go through probate to be legally transferred to heirs. The process involves filing the will (if one exists), inventorying assets, paying debts and taxes, and distributing the remainder. California probate can be time-consuming without experienced guidance, and the court fees are tied to the gross value of the estate.
Attorney Profile
Matthew Alden founded Alden Law and leads the firm’s personal injury and probate practice. The $10 million-plus recovery figure and the 5-star rating across 150-plus clients reflect sustained performance over the life of the firm, not a single large verdict skewing the numbers. The firm’s San Bernardino location reflects Alden’s focus on the Inland Empire and the surrounding communities.
Location and Service Area
Alden Law is located at 255 N D Street, Suite 200, San Bernardino, CA 92401. Phone: 909-414-0797. The firm primarily serves clients in San Bernardino County and the Inland Empire region, handling cases in local courts and managing claims against insurers operating throughout Southern California.
Client Focus
Alden Law’s clients include injured individuals and their families, surviving family members in wrongful death situations, workers who have been injured on the job, and families managing estate administration after a loss. The dual focus on personal injury and probate reflects the reality that serious accidents and deaths often trigger both types of legal needs simultaneously. A family dealing with a wrongful death may also need to administer the deceased’s estate, and having an attorney who handles both avoids the fragmentation of dealing with multiple firms.
FAQ
What is California’s pure comparative negligence rule and how does it affect my case?
Pure comparative negligence means that you can recover compensation even if you were partially at fault for the accident. If you are found to be 30% at fault and your damages are $100,000, you recover $70,000. The insurer for the other party has a financial incentive to assign as much fault to you as possible, which is one reason having legal representation from the beginning of a claim matters.
What happens if I miss the 30-day workers’ compensation reporting deadline?
Failing to report a workplace injury within 30 days can result in reduced benefits or a claim denial. If you are approaching or past that window, contact Alden Law immediately to discuss what options remain. There are limited circumstances where the deadline may be extended, but these are fact-specific.
California holds dog owners strictly liable. Does that mean my case is simple?
Strict liability removes the need to prove the owner knew the dog was dangerous, but it does not eliminate the need to document damages carefully. Medical costs, scarring, psychological impact, and lost wages all need to be substantiated. The firm handles all of this documentation as part of the representation.
How long does California probate take?
California probate typically takes nine months to a year and a half for straightforward estates, and longer when there are disputes, complex assets, or creditor claims. Proper filing and court scheduling can influence the timeline, and the firm guides executors and administrators through each step.
What is the statute of limitations for wrongful death in California?
Wrongful death claims in California must be filed within two years of the date of death. Missing this deadline results in the loss of the claim, regardless of its merit, so early consultation is important.
Closing
Alden Law’s record of more than $10 million recovered and a 5-star rating across more than 150 clients is a concrete measure of what Matthew Alden has built in San Bernardino. The combination of personal injury and probate practice under one attorney provides clients in the Inland Empire with a single, trusted resource for two of the most consequential legal matters families face. Reach the firm at 909-414-0797 or visit the office at 255 N D Street, Suite 200, San Bernardino, CA 92401.
Website: aldenlawfirm.com