Slipping and falling happen every day and can be caused by any number of reasons. Unfortunately, some of these falls cause serious injuries, including broken bones, head trauma or back injuries that can lead to paralysis or chronic pain. After you have fallen, you may believe that the property owner is automatically responsible for your medical bills, lost wages or pain and suffering. However, in order for the property owner to be held liable, you must be able to prove that they were negligent in some way and that the negligence led to your injuries.
What is Slip and Fall Negligence?
In order for you to claim premises liability against a property owner after you have fallen, you must prove that the owner or one of their employees must have caused or known about a dangerous situation that led you to fall. For example, if a water spill had been there several hours without being cleaned, the owner could be held liable. The same is true if you tripped over a broken floor tile that had been damaged for some time. In these cases, you could prove that a reasonable person should have known that the situation was dangerous and taken steps to correct it. In both cases, the owner could be found negligent and would be responsible for your injuries.
How to Prove Negligence in a Slip and Fall Accident
It can be difficult to prove negligence after you have slipped and fallen. The first thing to do after an injury is to file an injury report. Take photos of the location of the fall as soon as possible in order to document any conditions that existed. Be sure to ask witnesses for their contact information as well as any employees who come to your aid. Seek medical attention immediately as well, even if your injuries seem minor as an injury can worsen over time. Be sure to take photos of your injuries as well. Request copies of any video surveillance at the time of the accident as many businesses do not save footage unless requested.
What Damages Can I Seek Due to Negligence?
If you are able to prove that the owner was negligent in some way, you may receive compensation not only for your current medical bills but also compensation for medical bills you may face in the future. If you missed work due to your injury, the owner may be liable for your lost wages as well as any wages you could lose in the future due to an inability to work. The owner may also be responsible to compensate you for pain and suffering, depending on how severe your injuries are. For example, if you broke several bones that could cause you pain for the rest of your life, your compensation may be higher than if you only suffered a sprained ankle that will heal with no lasting effects.
If you or a loved one has been injured after slipping and falling, contact the slip and fall attorneys at Lundy Law today to learn whether you are eligible for a premises liability claim. An attorney will simply fight for the compensation you are entitled to under the law. Contact Lundy Law today by calling 1-800-Lundy Law or completing the simple form on our website.
