Were You Hurt In A Slip-And-Fall Accident?
Our attorneys can fight for the compensation you deserve
Slip and fall accidents may sound minor, but they can lead to serious injuries. Falls are among the leading causes of death nationwide year-in and year-out. You might have fallen and suffered a traumatic brain injury or another permanent injury. Even a more temporary injury, such as a broken bone or a concussion, can force you to miss work while you recover.
Property owners and managers have a legal responsibility to keep their premises safe. For instance, they must remove hazards and provide adequate lighting. If your injury was caused by someone who neglected to provide a safe environment, you may have a legal case. You need to talk to an attorney today.
Slip and fall accidents are governed by the subset of personal injury law known as premises liability. Since 1952, our family has been helping injured people throughout the Weirton area, including communities in Ohio, West Virginia, and Pennsylvania, win those cases. We have deep roots here in Weirton, and we’re committed to keeping our community safe – which means holding accountable those who cut corners and create dangerous environments.
Recht Law Offices can help if you’ve sustained any of the following injuries in a fall:
- Broken Bones
- Internal Injury
- Spinal Cord Injury
- Brain Injury
- Back Injury
- Neck Injury
- Knee Injury
- Hand Injury
- Wrist Injury
If you’ve been hurt in a slip and fall accident, seek immediate medical attention. Then, reach out to Recht Law right away. The sooner you contact us, the sooner we’ll be able to protect your legal rights.
How did your slip, trip or fall injury happen?
Property owners and managers must regularly inspect their property for hazardous conditions. Unfortunately, many don’t perform consistent inspections, putting those who are on their property in danger. A slip, trip or fall accident can cause severe injuries and sometimes death. If you hit your head, that can result in a concussion or other traumatic brain injury. Other types of injuries from falls may include soft tissue injuries, broken bones, and injuries to the back, neck, and spine.
Where do slip and falls occur?
Slip, trip and fall accidents can happen anywhere at any time. Accidents related to spills and substances are most frequently seen in grocery stores and department stores, where spills can happen at any time, but they can also happen in warehouses, on construction sites, near swimming pools, or in icy parking lots. Trip and fall accidents are also common in facilities with loose carpeting or floorboards, or in stairwells with broken steps or handrails. Children, the disabled, and the elderly are more likely to suffer a serious injury from a fall.
How is a settlement determined in a slip and fall?
The damages you are entitled to depend on the specific details of your case. Did you experience soreness, bruising, a concussion, or broken bones? Or was “the only thing that was injured was your pride?” Were you temporarily or permanently disabled by your accident? These and many other factors must be taken into account. Your injury-related expenses will also be used to calculate the value of your claim: past and future medical expenses; lost wages and future earnings; property damage; and your pain and suffering.
Were you responsible for the slip and fall?
When you file a lawsuit over your slip, trip and fall accident, the property owner may claim that you were at fault. Whether you did nothing wrong or you’re partially to blame, it can make a difference when it comes to the outcome of your case. The laws regarding slip and falls differ dramatically from state to state. As such, hiring an attorney who has experience handling cases involving slip and falls in your jurisdiction is prudent.
Did you have the right to enter the property?
The liability of property owners and property managers varies depending on the type of visitor that enters the property. Property visitors can be divided into three main categories: invitees, licensees, and trespassers.
Invitees are people who are invited onto the premises for the benefit of the property owner, such as a person visiting a retail business during hours of operation or a professional that you hire to make repairs at your home. A licensee is someone who is on the premises for social purposes, such as a party or get-together.
Those who trespass on a property, that is, they don’t have permission to be on the premises, generally have limited legal rights, though the laws vary from state to state. The rules may also be different for children who are trespassers, especially in cases that involve an “attractive nuisance” such as a swimming pool, trampoline, or treehouse.
Broadly speaking, property owners and managers typically owe a higher duty of care to invitees than licensees, but again, it’s in your interest to at least talk to an attorney in your jurisdiction to discuss your legal rights and options.
Proving liability in slip-and-fall cases
To collect damages (financial compensation) from the owner or manager of a property, you need to prove a “dangerous condition” existed on the property that caused your injuries. Moreover, you need to prove that the owner or manager was somehow responsible, by one of these three standards:
- The person responsible for the property created the dangerous condition.
- The person responsible knew of the dangerous condition and did not correct it.
- The person responsible should have known about the dangerous condition and corrected it.
Of those three standards, the third is the most frequently cited by far. It’s also quite difficult to prove. That’s why you need an experienced lawyer on your side, someone who knows the legal system in your area.
Usually, premises liability claims are handled by an insurance company representing the home or business owner. We’ve been standing up to the insurance companies since 1952, and we know how to counter their arguments and get you all of the compensation you need. You don’t have to take a “lowball” offer – we’ll fight for a settlement that covers the full cost of your accident.
If you fell down due to someone else’s negligence, you can take control of what happens next. Give us a call at 1 (877) 321-7324 for your free case evaluation. We proudly serve clients in West Virginia, Ohio, and Pennsylvania.