Practice Area Slip, Trip, and Fall

Gravity is a fact of life, and we all fall down once in a while. But when factors are involved that make a slip, trip, or fall more likely, you may be entitled to compensation. This includes spilled food or drink, wet surfaces, icy surfaces, cracked or uneven surfaces, poorly maintained walkways and parking lots, broken stairs, missing handrails, poor lighting, improperly secured mats or rugs, clutter or debris in the walkway, etc. 

Older people are at a higher risk, and they are more likely to sustain more serious injury due to issues like decreased bone mass, decreased muscle tone, and lower levels of flexibility. This makes it even more important that property owners meet their duty of care and maintain safe properties.

Injuries related to slip, trip, and fall incidents include broken bones, ankle and/or wrist sprains, knee damage, muscle strains, shoulder dislocation, cuts and bruises, traumatic brain injury, spine damage, and nerve damage. Again, if people are predisposed to injury given lower bone density or other issues, their injuries are likely to be more severe – and even life-threatening.

First and foremost, take care of you. Are you hurt? Can you get up and move to a safer location? You should also see a medical provider for an evaluation as soon as possible. If you are able to, document the scene; snap pictures and/or video with your phone that shows any obstructions or hazards. If there are witnesses, politely ask for their contact information. They may be able to provide critical evidence if you should decide to take legal action. 

It is also important to report the incident to the property owner/manager immediately. Request a copy of any report they make. Do not sign any agreements or talk to their insurance companies; instead, consult with a Casas Law slip and fall lawyer first. It is important to protect your rights.

A successful slip, trip, and fall lawsuit depends on proving that the property owner did not meet their duty of care (i.e. maintaining a safe property free of hazards any reasonable person could foresee as a danger) and that this directly caused the slip, trip, and fall. You must prove that the owner was aware of a dangerous condition or should have reasonably known of that potential danger. Your case will depend on gathering key evidence, speaking to witnesses, reviewing photos/video, and other steps. 

If your slip and fall lawyer believes that you have a valid case, they will conduct extensive research and investigate the situation. From there, they can file suit, negotiate with the owner/insurance company, and, if necessary, take the case to trial.

It is advisable to have experienced legal counsel on your side. A slip and fall lawyer is your advocate and ally. Not only do they understand the ins and outs of the complex legal process, they can handle communications, investigations, interviews, and negotiations on your behalf. You have a far better chance of success with a lawyer than without.