When you lawfully enter someone else’s property, you have every right to expect that the owner or manager has taken the appropriate action to ensure that your visit will be safe from hazards and dangers, or that you will be clearly and properly warned of any unavoidable issues. Most property owners provide their visitors with these protections, but there are unfortunate situations where a visitor is injured in a situation known as a “premise liability.” In these situations, the victim is entitled to compensation from either the responsible party or the insurance policy that covers this type of situation. Regardless of who is financially responsible, the important thing is that you get the money you deserve as a victim of this avoidable accident.
1-800-Injured provides victims of slip and fall accidents with access to a wide network of personal injury attorneys who are ready to take their case today. Before you even file an insurance claim or begin to take on the stress of what to do next, get in touch with an experienced attorney who can guide you through this process in a way that supports your recovery by reducing your anxiety and gives you more time to focus on your own recovery.
Read more below to get some general information about slip and fall claims, and contact us now to get in contact with an attorney who will help you get through this process with experience and support.
What Is a Slip and Fall?
A slip and fall accident is one type of premise liability that results from exactly what the name implies: slipping and falling because of a hazard. This could be something like a wet floor in a grocery store, a broken stair tread in a shopping plaza, or an icy walkway in colder climates. This type of case is based on the fact that the owner should be held responsible for the conditions on their property.
Regardless of how the slip and fall happened, you and your attorney will focus on how the accident could or should have been avoided. You will work to show that the defendant either knew about the hazard and didn’t do anything about it OR that they should have known about it. “I didn’t know” is rarely an acceptable excuse in these situations, and your attorney will make sure that it is not a valid argument for your situation.
Who Is Responsible For a Slip and Fall?
One of the most frustrating things you will need to deal with immediately after you have been injured in a slip and fall is to determine who is actually responsible for your injuries. If you were on private property, then it may be easier to determine who is responsible, as it is typically the owner. However, if you are injured on public or semi-public property such as a shopping center, or government property like at the Department of Motor Vehicles, then you will need to take a few extra steps to determine exactly what process to follow and who to file a claim with.
Once you have identified who is responsible for the hazard that caused your accident, the next step is to determine whether there is an insurance company that you can file a claim with, a surety bond assuming liability for a contractor, or if you will need to seek compensation directly from the responsible party themselves. Regardless, working with an experienced slip and fall attorney in your area is the most effective way to ensure that you get the money that you deserve.
If you’ve been injured in a slip and fall accident, 1-800-Injured is an attorney and medical referral service that can connect you with a premise liability attorney in your area.