In America, it is estimated that there are over 1 million slip and fall incidents each year. These accidents have a wide range of potential causes, from wet floors caused by leaking pipes to extended outdoor walkways covered in ice and snow.
Regardless of the specific circumstances that lead to an individual slipping and falling, these accidents can be extremely dangerous and produce serious long-term complications for those who suffer injuries.
A slip and fall accident is often referred to as a premises liability claim because it involves the rights of someone who has been injured on private property as a result of negligence or improper maintenance.
A Slip and Fall lawyer will help you if you were injured while visiting any kind of public space or commercial property—including restaurants, hotels, grocery stores, department stores, malls, airports, and casinos.
Even if you were not directly responsible for your injury—perhaps you slipped on spilled soup in a cafe—you may still be able to file a premises liability claim against the business owners.
Why You Should Always Hire a Slip and Fall Lawyer
First and foremost, many details must be followed when filing a premises liability claim, and each of these steps must be executed within a strict timeline. In other words, a slip and fall lawyer will make sure that your claim is properly submitted, that you receive the correct forms, and that any deadlines are met.
Additionally, many insurance companies will offer significantly lower settlements when a claim is filed without the assistance of an attorney. Many companies will simply refuse to negotiate with individuals who represent themselves in these cases.
Unlike an attorney, who is extremely familiar with the way insurance companies work, a non-attorney simply may not know how to properly negotiate with the other side.
Slip and Fall Accidents Can Be Seriously Injurious.
In most cases, the injuries associated with a slip and fall accident are potentially very serious and may even be life-threatening. In the majority of slip and fall accidents, the victim will suffer some type of fracture.
Additionally, some victims may suffer from internal injuries, such as bleeding in the abdominal cavity or a punctured lung. Serious head injuries and spinal cord injuries are some of the most common long-term complications associated with slip and fall accidents.
Other serious complications include long-term anxiety, PTSD, and depression, as well as permanent disability. The severity of the injuries associated with a slip and fall accident will depend largely on the specific circumstances of each case, as well as the speed at which the victim impacted the ground after falling.
Negligence Can Be Proven in a Slip and Fall Case.
A premises liability claim often rests on the idea that the owner of the property was negligent in maintaining their property. Negligence, in this context, is simply defined as failing to live up to a certain standard of care.
In most cases, the standard of care that a commercial property owner must abide by is both consistent with industry standards and with the specific guidelines of the state in which the property is located.
To bring a successful slip and fall claim, an attorney will provide evidence that the owner of the property failed to abide by the applicable standard of care. The attorney will also provide evidence that the negligence caused the injuries associated with the accident.
Liability in a Slip and Fall Case
In most states, a commercial property owner will be held responsible for any injuries associated with an accident on their premises. This liability rests on the idea that the owner of the property must keep the premises safe for all people who are on the property.
This obligation applies to both the public and patrons of the business. Although there may be slight variations across the states, in most cases, commercial property owners will be held to the standard of care expected of a “reasonable” person.
In other words, if a reasonable person would have covered up a spill or removed ice from a walkway, then the owner of the property must do the same. These standards, however, are not absolute, and there are exceptions for certain types of commercial properties.
Damages in a Slip and Fall Case
To determine the amount of damages you may be eligible to receive from a commercial property owner, your attorney will need to assess the specific circumstances surrounding the accident.
The type of damages available in a slip and fall case will depend on the specific injuries suffered as a result of the accident. Some of the most common types of damages in a slip and fall case include medical expenses, lost wages, and future medical expenses.
In some cases, the injured party may also be entitled to receive compensation for pain and suffering. These damages, however, are not automatic. Your attorney will have to prove the extent of your injuries and will have to demonstrate that you are entitled to receive compensation for these damages.
What to Look for in a Good Slip and Fall Lawyer
As with any legal service, it is important to be selective when choosing a slip and fall lawyer to represent you. While it is impossible to know exactly how any particular attorney will perform, there are a few factors that can help you make a good decision.
First and foremost, make sure that the attorney is licensed to practice law in your state. Next, make sure the attorney has experience handling these types of cases. Finally, find out how much the attorney charges for his or her services.
While no amount of money can guarantee a positive result, it is important to remember the costs associated with it. The more experienced and qualified attorneys charge more, and it is important to be prepared to pay for quality services.
Conclusion
Slip and fall accidents are some of the most common types of accidents in America. They are also some of the most serious types of accidents that occur. When these accidents occur on commercial properties, they become premises liability claims, and they are handled very differently than other types of accidents.
If you have been injured in a slip and fall accident on a commercial property, it is important to understand your rights and to know what you can do to seek compensation.
If you have been injured in a slip and fall accident, it is important to understand your rights, understand the applicable statutes of limitations, and know how to file a claim. If you do not understand the statutes of limitations or how to properly file a claim, it can be difficult to get the compensation you deserve.