Do You Have a Slip and Fall Personal Injury Case? What You Should Know

Slip and fall accidents refer to personal injury cases that occur when someone slips or trips on another person’s property. These types of accidents are very common, and have resulted in serious injuries, as well as numerous lawsuits against homeowners and business owners alike. When approaching a potential slip and fall accident, there are some important things you should know about the legal process.

Where and How Accidents Occur

Slip and fall accidents can happen just about anywhere. The three main location categories in which an accident may occur are residential property, commercial property or government property. Whether at a neighbor’s home, a grocery store or a government entity, any location can provide a number of conditions that may cause an accident.

Wet floors, icy sidewalks, poor lighting, loose boards or any poorly maintained structures can be the cause of an accident. For this reason, it is the responsibility of the property and tenant owners to maintain safety in any areas where guests may enter. Failure to do so can result in a slip and fall accident in which they would be held liable.

Premise Liability

In the case of a slip and fall accident, the homeowner or business owner is held liable under the theory of premise liability. Premise Liability holds property owners and tenant responsible for maintaining safety and proper care of their property. If failure to do so results in the injury of a visitor, then the person responsible for the property can be held liable.

Proving Liability

Slip and fall accidents aren’t always the result of a property owner’s negligence. Sometimes they may be just accidents, or the result of carelessness by the injured party. However, if you were injured in a slip and fall accident, and believe the property owner or tenant is responsible, then you must prove liability. In doing so, you are required to provide evidence that the responsible party was, in fact, negligent and careless in maintaining safe surroundings. To do so, you must prove the following elements:

• You were invited to the property
• The property owner knew of the condition and failed to repair it
• Your injuries directly resulted from the said condition

Compensation

If you sustained an injury, a lawsuit will hold the responsible party liable and require them to compensate you for any damages related to the accident. These damages may include:

• Medical Expenses
• Lost Wages
• Loss of Earning Capacity
• Pain and Suffering
• Incidental Expenses

If you find yourself in a situation that may require a lawsuit, contact a person injury lawyer in your area right away. They can assure that the process is navigated properly and help to protect your rights along the way. The process can be complex and stressful, but an experienced lawyer can improve your chances of succeeding in the case and receiving a fair compensation such as the personal injury lawyer Minneapolis MN locals turn to.

Thanks to authors at Johnston Martineau PLLP for their insight into Personal Injury Law.