Gallatin Slip and Fall Lawyer

A slip-and-fall accident can occur in any environment. Whether you are just walking to the store, at work, or on someone else’s property, there is a chance you could slip and fall at any time. If this happens and you are left with severe injuries and expensive medical bills, what can you do?

If you have been injured in a slip-and-fall accident, you could be eligible for compensation. To make a success of your personal injury claim, however, you must prove that your accident was not caused by your own carelessness but rather by a slippery floor or another show of negligence. Since it can be hard to prove fault regarding slip-and-fall accidents, you should seek legal representation. 

Hiring an attorney can help you determine whether you have a viable case regarding an accident on someone else’s property. Contact Hughes & Coleman’s slip and fall team today at 800-800-4600 to request a free legal consultation. 

In order to get compensation for your slip and fall case, you must first prove that the accident did not occur because of your own negligence, which may be established by means of four factors: duty, breach, causation, and damages.

Duty

The property owner must ensure the environment is kept safe for those who have permission to be on the property. If the owner is aware of a hazardous condition on the property that could cause injury to visitors, it is his or her duty to take appropriate action (by fixing the problem, removing the hazard, or posting a warning sign) as soon as possible.

Breach

A “breach of duty” can occur in three different situations, including: 

1. The owner of the property caused a hazardous situation and failed to fix it
2. The property owner knew there was a hazardous condition and failed to fix it
3. The hazard extended a period of time, and the owner should have known about the condition but did not fix it during this time

Causation

If a breach of duty exists, was the breach of duty caused by the accident? For example, suppose there is liquid on the floor, but the owner fails to resolve the problem or to warn of the condition. As a result, someone slips and falls in the liquid. 

This case could be one of automatic causation. However, if eyewitnesses state that you did not slip on the water but instead fell because your shoes were untied, there may be no causation found in this case. 

Damages

If you slip on a property due to someone else’s negligence, what injuries did you sustain because of the accident? The answer to this question may help determine whether you can receive compensation for the resulting losses and expenses. On the other hand, if you were involved in a slip-and-fall accident but walked away uninjured, you may not be able to pursue a personal injury claim.

When a fall accident occurs, an insurance settlement helps the victim make up for damages related to the accident. Nevertheless, this may not always mean that all medical expenses will easily be covered. 

It is prudent to pursue multiple types of damages in order to ensure that all losses and expenses are covered as much as legally possible. A slip and fall lawyer can examine your case and determine how to maximize your compensation in this way.

Someone who is injured may receive compensation for the following: 

• Disfigurement  
• Emotional distress 
• Current and future loss of wages 
• Current and future medical expenses from the accident 
• Loss of consortium 
• Pain and suffering 
  

Your final amount of compensation may also depend on the severity of your injury, as well as on the negative impact the injury has caused you now and in the future. 

As you can see, it is imperative to contact a lawyer right away after sustaining an injury. Reaching out for legal advice from Hughes & Coleman will help you learn how it may be possible to seek restitution from the property owner. 

Common Slip and Fall Injuries 

After an accident, your adrenaline typically kicks in and can mask your injuries’ impact and pain. In some fall cases, individuals are unaware of how serious their injuries are. It is thus best to receive medical attention immediately after a slip-and-fall. 

Seeking medical attention immediately can also benefit you in your future claim or lawsuit. Documented injuries hold up better in court. 

Below are some injuries one may experience from a slip-and-fall accident: 

• Blunt head trauma 
• Broken bones 
• Broken teeth 
• Bruises
• Cuts 
• Internal bleeding 
• Paralysis or quadriplegia 
• Permanent disfigurement 
• Scars and abrasions
• Spinal cord damage 
  

Depending on the severity of your case, some injuries may require surgery or suffer future complications. Some slip-and-fall accidents can even be fatal. 

Determining Responsibility in a Slip and Fall Case 

Typically, when you are injured on another person’s property, the property owner may hold some responsibility for any injuries that caused your accident. Nevertheless, you (as the injured individual) may bear responsibility for your own fall in some situations. 

While the property owner is responsible for keeping the property safe for visitors, it is your responsibility to exercise care regarding your actions while on another’s property. For example, you may be liable for the injury you sustained when you failed to pay attention to a hazard sign. Unfortunately, if you are found to be at fault, you may not be awarded compensation for any damages as a result. 

Determining responsibility and negligence is essential with every slip and fall or other premises liability claim or lawsuit. If you are unsure whether you share part of the blame, our injury lawyers can help you identify the at-fault party to strengthen your case.