Slip, Trip and Fall

Slip, trip and fall accident are one of the most common causes of an injury. These kinds of accidents occur due to many reasons such as a wet or slippery substance on the floor, other hazardous conditions such as loose carpeting or floorboards, defective stairs, sidewalk defects, obstacles on the ground that could cause a trip and fall, poor lighting conditions, and other dangerous conditions present where you are walking.

Property owners, management companies, and those in control of the property have a legal duty to provide safe conditions for persons who have a legitimate reason to be on the property. Many times, the property owner/manager breaches their duty and allows a dangerous condition to be present on the property which results in someone slipping, tripping or falling and sustaining injuries.

When it comes to slip, trip and fall accidents, it is necessary to prove the owner of the property was negligent. To build a strong case, the following must be proven: A dangerous condition existed at the property; The owner knew, or should have known, about the property's condition; The owner had a reasonable amount of time to fix the dangerous condition and/or warn against the dangerous condition, and failed to do so. Slip, trip and fall cases can be difficult to prove, however, we have the knowledge and resources to help. 

Some people become injured on another person's property that is not from a slip, tip or fall bur because of another dangerous condition on the premises. In such an instance, you may be entitled to compensation. Call our office to discuss the details of your case.

• Seek immediate medical attention for your injuries, and keep up with your medical care and treatment to help in your recovery. Documenting your injuries by a medical provider helps your case.

• Report the Incident. Make an immediate report with the manager or owner of the property while you are at the premises, or at your earliest possible opportunity. Ask for a copy of the report, or take a photograph (using your cell phone) of the report you provide.

•  Immediately take photographs of the location of your fall including any condition that caused your fall, such as liquid on the floor, debris, a broken step, a pothole, uneven surface (more than a trivial defect), frayed carpeting, etc. It is important to document why or what caused you to fall before it is cleaned up or repaired. Evidence can disappear or conditions can change quickly. Therefore, photographs are very important.

• Obtain names, addresses and telephone numbers of any witnesses that saw your fall, or the cause of your fall. Witnesses are very important and can help prove your version of events.

• Look to see if any cameras are installed in the area where you fell. Let your attorney immediately know so that a demand to preserve the video footage is immediately made to the property owner and/or occupier of the premises.

•  Keep the shoes and the clothing you were wearing during the accident in a safe place. Do not wear the shoes or clothes after your fall. Do not wash your clothes. Place the items in a paper bag (not in a plastic bag) and provide them to your attorney. These will be relevant evidence in your case.

If you are contacted by any insurance company following your slip, trip or fall accident, do not speak to them or provide any kind of information or statement until you have spoken to your attorney. Do not tell the insurance company that you are not injured because you may not feel your injuries or symptoms immediately or at the time you speak with the insurance representative. Often, symptoms/injuries develop days or weeks after the accident. It is good practice to allow your attorney to open the insurance claim for you, demand a preservation of evidence (such as videos) and deal with the insurance company on your behalf. 

Insurance companies are not looking out for your best interest because they are a business interested in keeping money in their own pockets and paying you as little as possible, if anything at all. Your attorney, on the other hand, looks out for your best interest and works for you.

We will also assist you to get the medical attention and care you need to help in your recovery process.

Call Lena Law immediately after your accident.  Let us speak to the insurance companies for you and handle your accident case from the beginning to its conclusion. We work for you to ensure you receive the best possible and just compensation and relief, while you concentrate on recovering from your injuries