Falls happen every day, but they are not always just an unfortunate accident. Someone else’s lack of attention could have been the cause of your fall.
You can take legal action against them in a slip and fall accident claim. By working with a slip and fall lawyer in Anniston, you could work to prove that they were responsible. Then, they would need to pay you full compensation for your injuries. Contact Steve Morris Law immediately after you have been hurt to discuss your potential slip and fall case. Time is of the essence.
Causes of Slip and Fall Injuries
All it takes is one brief moment or area of hazard to cause a serious fall. Property owners often take shortcuts when it comes to inspecting and maintaining their property. They may not have enough staff, or the staff that they do have may not perform their jobs well. Either way, the owner may not have upheld their own duty of care.
Causes of slip and fall accidents include:
- Debris on the floor
- Slippery substances on the floor
- Loose carpet strings
- Broken floorboards
- Broken or missing handrails
- Cracked or broken concrete
The fall may not have been your fault, as the property owner or the insurance company are likely telling you. With the help of an experienced attorney, you could gather evidence that shows the cause of the fall and may put you in position for compensation.
Common Slip and Fall Injuries
Falls are far more serious than you may think. Even though these accidents happen all the time, victims could suffer significant injuries. They may be left with life-changing effects.
Some common slip and fall accident injuries include:
- Head and neck injuries
- Broken bones and fractures
- Soft tissue injuries
- Traumatic brain injuries
- Spinal cord injuries
The most common types of injuries are to the head or the hip. A broken hip would require surgery and could mean reduced mobility. Head injuries could result in brain damage in the worst-case scenario.
The Property Owner’s Legal Obligations
A property owner owes you a duty of care when they invite you onto their property. They must avoid creating dangerous conditions on their property themselves, such as leaving debris or blockages in your walking path. Their job is not to prevent every single accident.
In many cases, other people create the hazards, or they happen naturally over time. Then, the property owner must fix the danger within a reasonable period of time from when they knew or should have known about it. Alternatively, they can take steps to warn the public, so they are aware of the danger.
Proper methods of warning could include:
- Placing a clear warning sign near the area
- Blocking off the area, so people cannot access it
- Putting a mat over the surface that is a danger
How to Strengthen Your Slip and Fall Case
Slip and fall cases can be difficult, but they are not impossible to win. We can often help slip and fall accident victims recover the full amount due to them through a settlement or jury award. What you do after an accident can mean the difference between a successful claim and one where you are not fully compensated, if you are even compensated at all?
Steps that you should take after a slip and fall accident include:
- Reporting the accident to the property owner immediately, so there is a record
- Reporting the fall to law enforcement, so you can get written documentation
- Immediately going to see a doctor and following up on all medical appointments – you will need evidence that shows the extent of your injuries, so it can be used to value your claim. In fact, you cannot begin the claims process without it.
- Contacting an attorney to represent you in the claims process – you have a limited amount of time to gather evidence and to instruct the potentially responsible party to preserve the proof that is in their hands. It can become much more difficult to win a slip and fall case as time passes.
- Preserving all the evidence in your hands – you may have taken pictures or have other evidence of the conditions at the time of your accident. Keep this evidence to give to your lawyer.
- Document your injuries – the insurance company will try to minimize the value of your case by discounting your injuries. The key to proving your injuries is documentation.
We would immediately go to work on your case, building evidence that you need to prove your claim. The insurance company may be difficult, but we are always up for a fight on behalf of our clients.
Contact an Anniston Slip and Fall Accident Lawyer Today
If you have been injured in a fall on someone else’s property, you should take steps to secure a settlement to pay for your injuries once you can show that they were responsible. Call Steve Morris Law today at 256-357-9211 or send us a message through our website to schedule a free initial consultation. You do not owe us anything unless we help you get paid for your injuries.
