Holding Property Owners Accountable for Slip and Fall Injuries

The consequences of a slip and fall accident injury can significantly impact your life, including your physical and emotional well-being. Moreover, the financial burden can be enormous if you or a family member suffer a life-changing or disabling injury in a fall. However, if someone else’s carelessness caused your slip and fall injuries, you could be entitled to compensation for your medical bills, loss of wages, and other damages.

Morgan & Morgan is here for injured victims and their families. We could hold the responsible person or business to account and help you recover the compensation you need to get your life back on track. Don’t struggle with a slip and fall claim alone. Our tenacious slip and fall lawyers have helped countless victims recover fair settlements and could help you too. Get in touch now for a free, no-obligation consultation to assess your fall and determine your best course of action.

Causes of Slip and Fall Accidents

Poor maintenance of floors, walkways, and stairs can be some reasons why individuals slip and fall. In detail, hazardous conditions can include:

• Uneven flooring
• No warning signs near wet or broken flooring  
• Loose rugs or mats
• Inadequate lighting
• Recently waxed or mopped floors
• Failing to use non-slip floor treatments or mats
• Frayed, bulging, and worn carpets
• Untreated icy surfaces and snow accumulations
• Spills and debris left on floors
• Potholes in parking lots and on sidewalks
• Splashed grease on floors

Where Do Slips and Falls Usually Occur?

Slip and fall accidents can happen anywhere, including in private homes, government offices, restaurants, and stores. Common locations for falls include:

• Grocery stores
• Shopping malls
• Bars and restaurants
• Workplaces
• Public pools
• Hospitals
• Nursing homes
• Hotels and resorts
• Theme parks
• Parking lots and garages
• Airports
• Public transit stations

Property Owners Have the Duty to Eliminate Hazards

Property owners of public and private premises are responsible for keeping guests, visitors, and renters reasonably safe and reducing the risk of slips and falls. Steps they should take can include:

• Mopping up spills or water from floors
• Ensuring adequate lighting
• Fixing broken steps and loose handrails as soon as possible
• Posting warning signs if they cannot remove the hazardous situation immediately
• Removing snow and ice from walkways
• Patching up potholes and cracks in sidewalks and parking lots
• Using non-slip mats on flooring

What Qualifies as a Slip and Fall?

Your fall must have occurred due to another’s carelessness to have a legal compensation claim. Property and business owners who neglect the maintenance of their premises and fail to fix hazards or neglect to warn guests of any dangers may be responsible for victims’ damages. However, to qualify for a settlement, injured individuals must prove that a property owner or another responsible party is liable.

If you recently suffered injuries in a fall on another’s property, consider speaking to a slip and fall lawyer to establish whether you have a claim, as you could be entitled to compensation. A lawyer at Morgan & Morgan can assess your accident, determine whether you have a legal case, and move forward with a claim on your behalf.  

Common Injuries in Slip and Fall Accidents

While falls can cause significant injuries in all age groups, older adults tend to face particularly devastating consequences. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) say that older adults may no longer be able to live on their own after suffering severe injuries in a fall.

Fall injuries can vary greatly, ranging from harmless bruises or sprains to permanent disabilities. More severe injuries from falls can include:

Head and Brain Injuries

Head injuries in slips and falls can occur when the head strikes an object, such as a piece of furniture or the floor. While some head injuries can be mild and heal on their own, others, such as traumatic brain injuries (TBI), can have life-changing consequences for victims.

Broken Bones

Severe falls can cause bone fractures. Since most individuals try to break falls with their hands, broken wrists and arms can be common fall injuries. Other fall fractures can include the ankles and legs, knees, and hips.

Even relatively uncomplicated bone breaks can take some time to heal. However, individuals could suffer a permanent disability when a major fracture occurs, such as that of the hip bone.

Spinal Cord Injuries

According to a study published by the National Center for Biotechnology Information (NCBI), spinal cord injuries from falls are particularly frequent in the elderly. Moreover, when spinal cord injuries do occur in older adults, they tend to stay longer in hospitals and face higher care costs than younger adults. Spinal cord damage can cause numerous health effects, including:

• Permanent changes in strength
• Loss of sensation
• Paralysis below the site of the injury
• Loss of bowel and bladder control

Facial Injuries

A victim unable to cushion their fall may strike the ground or an object with the face, potentially resulting in broken or chipped teeth, nose fractures, eye injuries, and cuts. Facial injuries can be emotionally distressing, especially in cases where permanent scarring remains.

Cuts and Lacerations

Individuals who fall and land on broken glass, sharp metal, or other debris, may experience deep cuts, lacerations, and puncture wounds. Significant wounds typically require stitches and other medical interventions and may cause permanent damage to muscles and nerves.

If you or a loved one was severely hurt in a fall, speak to a slip and fall lawyer as soon as possible. Someone else may be responsible for your accident and injuries, and you could be entitled to compensation.

Do I Need a Slip and Fall Lawyer to Receive Compensation?

While you are not required to work with an attorney, getting what you deserve can be tricky when representing yourself in a slip and fall claim. Insurers may try to shortchange you or refuse a settlement altogether. The American Bar Association (ABA) confirms that self-represented litigants can be at a distinct advantage. Moreover, standing up to insurance companies and attorneys on your own can be exhausting and intimidating.

If you suffered significant injuries and have high medical bills, working with an attorney can be critical for the success of your claim. Morgan & Morgan can take the burden off your shoulders and handle your slip and fall accident case from start to finish. If someone else caused your fall and injuries, we could help you fight for what you need to pay your bills and move forward with your life.

What Should I Do After a Slip and Fall Accident?

After getting hurt in a fall, one of the most important steps you can take is to consult an experienced slip and fall lawyer, who can assess your case and identify your legal options. However, there are some additional actions that can help to protect your rights and health, such as:  

• Seeing a doctor immediately after your fall
• Filing an accident report with the property or business owner
• Taking pictures of the reason for your fall
• Asking witnesses for contact details
• Saving all receipts for out-of-pocket expenses such as transport costs, medications, and others
• Filing a workers’ compensation claim if you suffered a fall injury at work
• Getting legal advice as soon as possible

I Was Injured at a Friend’s Home; Do I Have to Sue Them for Compensation?

Getting hurt at a family or friend’s home or business can raise uncomfortable questions. While you may be entitled to damages, you understandably hesitate to take legal action against family members or friends.

However, you do not necessarily have to sue anyone for damages. A homeowners’ or business insurance could reimburse you for damages such as medical bills. If the insurance company refuses or minimizes your claim, you could have a legal case against them. You would then sue the insurer instead of your friends or family members.

Morgan & Morgan is here to help you through such tricky situations. We could clarify your options and fight for the compensation you deserve without jeopardizing your relationships with friends and family members.

What Is the Average Settlement Amount for a Slip and Fall Claim?

Since all slip and fall accidents are unique and injuries vary, there are no average settlement amounts for victims. What you could receive will depend on the extent of your financial damages, such as medical bills and income losses, and the scope and permanence of your injuries. Other factors that can determine the worth of your case include:

• Whether you suffer a permanent disability
• Your monetary damages and out-of-pocket costs
• Your estimated future income loss and future healthcare expenses
• Your emotional and physical pain and suffering
• Whether you have some responsibility for the accident

An attorney at Morgan & Morgan can give you an indication of what your case could be worth when examining your specific slip and fall accident.

Who Are the Potential Defendants in a Slip and Fall Accident Claim?

Slip and fall victims often assume that the property owner is responsible for their damages. However, this is not always the case. Depending on the facts of your claim, defendants can include:

• The property or business owner
• The tenant of the premises, such as a restaurant or store owner
• Third parties, such as a negligent contractor working on the property

However, in general, the premises owner has a duty of care to visitors and guests. Therefore, they would be the defendant in most slip and fall claims. Responsible property owners can include private persons, companies, and government entities.

Since slip and fall claims can be complex, seek help from an experienced attorney to understand your options and the next best steps for recovering what you deserve.

I Slipped and Fell in My Rental Complex; Could I Sue the Landlord?

Usually, a landlord is responsible for maintaining a property, which includes providing adequate lighting in communal areas and removing hazardous conditions that could cause accidents and injuries. However, not all landlord slip and fall claims are clear-cut.

Renters may be responsible, for example, when they neglect to inform the landlord of a dangerous condition or if they make any repairs that cause a hazard. Since premises liability claims involving rental apartments can be complex, ask an attorney about your specific claim and options for recovering compensation.

How Much Do Slip and Fall Lawyers Charge?

A slip and fall injury can be astronomically expensive, especially if it keeps you away from work for weeks or even months. Many victims worry about the cost of legal representation and make the mistake of trying to handle their claims alone. However, having an experienced attorney by your side can be vital for recovering the full value of your claim. Don’t let the potential costs of legal representation put you off going for what you deserve.

Morgan & Morgan doesn’t charge clients a dime upfront. We only get paid when we win, and our fee is a percentage of your settlement. In other words, when you work with us, you pay nothing out of your own pocket whether you win or lose. Avoid working with law firms who charge out-of-pocket legal expenses or attorney’s fees, as you may be stuck with these costs whether you win or lose your claim. Protect yourself by discussing fees before hiring an attorney.

Don’t Struggle Alone

If your injuries are the result of another’s carelessness, you deserve justice. However, you should not be burdened with the stress of fighting a legal case and instead focus on your recovery. Morgan & Morgan is here to help. Our attorneys can handle all important legal elements of your case and fight hard for the best outcome.

Don’t go it alone when you could have America’s largest personal injury firm in your corner. Since the time to file a claim is generally limited, contact us today for a free case evaluation.