If you slipped and fell at a business, you may be eligible for compensation. Use our guide to determine if your slip and fall accident qualifies for you to file a lawsuit against the business where your slip and fall took place.
What Is a Slip and Fall Accident?
This is an accident that takes place on a property which can be used by members of the public. Because it is a legal requirement that a premises owner maintains their property to a standard that should prevent a slip and fall accident taking place, anyone who is injured on the property may be eligible to file a slip and fall lawsuit.
Common Causes of Slip and Fall Accidents
Depending on the use of the premises, causes of slip and fall accidents may be due to any of the following:
- spilled liquids;
- the presence of ice;
- uneven surfaces;
- torn carpeting;
- poor lighting.
Who Is Liable in a Slip and Fall Lawsuit?
Property owners are liable for injuries that occur on their property due to dangerous conditions, such as slippery floors or inadequate lighting that they have failed to maintain to a standard that would prevent such accidents taking place.
Proving Negligence In a Slip and Fall Case
In order to determine if a property owner has been negligent which caused a slip-and-fall accident to take place, it must first be determined if the property owner had a duty of care to maintain a safe property. If it is shown that the property owner did have a duty of care, then it must be confirmed if this duty was breached because they did not take reasonable steps to prevent a slip and fall accident taking place.
How to Prove Negligence
To prove negligence it will be necessary to provide evidence that supports that negligence caused the slip and fall accident. This could be any of the following:
- photos showing the spilled liquid or other hazard;
- eyewitness reports describing how the accident took place.
How to File a Slip and Fall Lawsuit
If the property owner refuses to take responsibility for your injury you may file a personal injury lawsuit in court. You have to let the defendant know of your intentions. You must ensure you have all the evidence that proves the slip and fall accident was due to negligence. When you have all the proof you begin the process of filing your claim.
There is a statute of limitations you need to consider for personal injury claims from accidents such as slip and falls which is normally 3 years from the date the injury took place.
Get Help With Your Slip and Fall Claim
Slip and fall cases can be difficult to win as proving negligence on the part of the premises owner is the hardest part. If you take the Free Case Evaluation to speak with an independent attorney who subscribes to the website you should have a higher chance of winning your lawsuit than if you completed the process on your own.
