A slip and fall accident: not something anyone wants to experience, but something that is, unfortunately, all too common. Anyone can fall victim to a slip, trip, or fall at any time as they go about their daily lives. While you cannot predict a slip and fall, you can be prepared to take the appropriate action after an accident, especially if you were not at fault.
If you have suffered a slip and fall accident due to the negligence of a property owner, you could be entitled to compensation for your injuries. This is when hiring an experienced personal injury attorney, like those at Anderson Trial Group, is so important. A skilled and trial tested attorney will help you navigate the legal waters of the courtroom and get you the compensation you deserve.
The steps taken immediately following a slip and fall accident are crucial. These actions can play an important role in determining the validity and outcome of a slip and fall suit. If you or a loved one have slipped, tripped, or fallen and been injured, make sure to follow the following steps.
First and foremost, be sure to seek medical treatment after an accident. Your health is the most important thing after all. See a doctor to ensure any injuries are documented straight away and can be attended to quickly.
Documentation of any injuries is key. Should you decide to pursue legal action against the at-fault party, having proper documentation of your injuries from a licensed doctor will be vital evidence for strengthening your case.
If you have been injured in a slip and fall accident, report the incident immediately, regardless of where the fall happens, whether it be a residential, commercial, or government property. The accident should be reported to the manager, owner or landlord.
Most importantly, do not forget to get a report of the incident in writing. This will be very important in bolstering your case. Before leaving the property be sure to have the manager, owner, or landlord create a written report and ask to have a copy made for your records.
Document Everything
Keeping well organized documentation of anything to do with a slip and fall accident is very important for building a strong case against the at-fault party. An important part of the documentation is finding potential witnesses to support your claim. For any potential witnesses or parties involved be sure to document their:
Don’t forget that pictures say a 1,000 words. Try to take pictures of the location where you tripped and fell and any factors that may have contributed to your fall, such as stairs, uneven ground, or icy patches.
Video evidence can also be very compelling in a slip and fall case. If the property has any surveillance cameras or a potential witness, your attorney may be able to secure that video footage as evidence. You can also check with potential witnesses to see if anyone happened to get a video of the fall.
It is also important to write down any details about how the accident happened while the memory is still fresh. You want to have as detailed an account as possible. Try to include:
When initially reporting the event to a manager or property owner, limit your conversation to just the essential details of the fall. Avoid making any social media posts about the accident. Most importantly do not speak to any insurance companies without first getting representation from an attorney.
If you decide to take legal action regarding a slip and fall accident for yourself or a loved, hiring an experienced personal injury attorney should be your next move. Anderson Trial Group is ready to step into the legal battlegrounds and fight for you. You can trust our tried and tested attorneys to work tirelessly on your behalf to ensure you get the best possible outcome for your case.
Winning a slip and fall suit can be a difficult and complex process. In order to get the best outcome from your case, having a great attorney is crucial. It is important to find an attorney that specializes in personal injury cases, especially one who has handled slip and fall cases in the past.
Proving fault in a slip and fall accident can be quite complicated. You want an attorney that knows how to investigate the incident and get all the pertinent information needed to build a strong case in your favor.
Experience is key when dealing with all the nuanced litigation involved in reaching a successful outcome in a slip and fall lawsuit. The attorneys at Anderson Trial Group have that experience. Our lawyers know just what it takes to prove a party’s responsibility in such a case, and we have the resources to fight for the money you deserve.
In order to win a slip and fall lawsuit, you must prove that the defending party was responsible for your accident. This is no easy feat. The case hinges on whether it is determined that the property owner did everything possible to prevent such an accident or their negligence led to your fall.
The crucial point to make in a slip and fall case is that the accident was caused by a “dangerous condition”. However, simply proving there was a dangerous condition alone will not win a case.
It must be shown that the property owner knew about the condition and had not taken any actions to prevent an accident happening. You must also prove that this condition presented an unreasonable risk to any persons on the property, and that you could not have anticipated the condition under the circumstances. If the dangerous condition was obvious and clearly avoidable, it would be very difficult to win a case.
To establish that a property owner was aware of a potentially dangerous condition, it must be shown that:
A property owner will be held liable if it can be shown it was foreseeable that their negligence would lead to an accident occurring.
To have a case for a slip and fall lawsuit, there must be a party responsible for the accident due to negligence. However, showing responsibility for a slip, trip, or fall can be different depending on the type of property the accident took place on.
Commercial properties include stores, restaurants, or other businesses. In order to prove a commercial property was responsible for a slip and fall, you must show that the owner or an employee of the business:
A slip and fall case involving a commercial property can be complicated, because multiple persons or entities can be held liable for the accident.
Slip and fall injuries that occur on residential properties usually involve a tenant or third party holding the landlord responsible for the injury. In order for a tenant or third party to show a landlord’s fault, they must prove:
Slip and fall accidents that occur on property owned by local, state, or federal governments can be a bit more tricky. In these cases special rules apply. Government entities are often shielded from liability for injuries that take place on their property through strict notice requirements and broad immunity provisions. You typically need a rock solid case in order to pursue a slip and fall suit against a government entity.
If you or a loved one have been injured in a slip and fall accident due to someone else’s negligence, you deserve compensation. Remember, the faster you take action following a fall, the more likely you will win your case. Don’t wait to look for legal help, Anderson Trial Group has the experience and resources to help you get the money you are entitled to.
Our legal team is ready to take on the at-fault party in your case and make sure you are properly compensated for your suffering. Call us today at (352) 619-0995 to schedule a free case evaluation.