A simple outing to the grocery store or a visit to someone else’s property can turn dangerous if there is a hazardous condition on the floor or walkway. If a fall accident happened and you suffered serious injuries, you may have a right to pursue compensation. This process is known as a slip and fall claim.
At Recovery Law Center, our slip and fall injury lawyer has the legal knowledge to help if you believe a property owner’s negligence caused your injuries. We invite you to schedule a consultation to discuss your personal injury claim and possible slip and fall lawsuit.
Consult Us at Recovery Law Center for Slip and Fall Injury Claims
A fall accident often arises when a property owner fails to warn visitors or remove tripping hazards. If you want to pursue a fall injury claim, our firm is here to help. We understand how to gather evidence, draft a strong personal injury claim, and push for fair compensation.
When you consult our slip and fall lawyer, you can expect:
- A thorough review of your slip and fall case
- Guidance on how to secure evidence that supports your fall lawsuit
- Help in assessing the nature of your injuries and your medical bills
- An evaluation of the property owner’s liability based on how the accident occurred
- A clear plan to move through the legal process while seeking a fair settlement
We also stand by you when dealing with insurance company representatives. Many personal injury cases can settle without going to court, but we prepare as though a slip and fall lawsuit will be necessary. We take reasonable caution when handling any injury claim, so you can focus on healing.
Proving Your Slip and Fall Injury Case
If you were injured in a slip and fall accident on someone else’s property, it might seem obvious to you that the property owner should be financially responsible. No matter how clear the property owner’s negligence seems, though, it’s necessary to prove liability to recover compensation.
You and your attorney will need to prove the following elements existed to hold the property owner legally and financially responsible for your injuries:
- The property owner was responsible for keeping their premises safe. Property owners have a legal duty to keep their premises reasonably safe for visitors.
- An existing hazard or danger caused your injuries. If a hazard or dangerous condition was present, the property owner or manager should have made reasonable efforts to eliminate or warn visitors of it.
- You were on the property lawfully when you were injured. Property owners do not have to keep trespassers safe, so your claim will need to prove that you were on the property lawfully.
- You were not reckless or careless before the slip and fall. Under the law, you are responsible for exercising reasonable caution, so you’ll need to show that you were not behaving recklessly when you fell.
Causation: Showing the Accident Occurred Because of the Hazard
Even if you prove that a hazardous condition existed, you must still show it caused your injuries. Many property owners and their attorneys claim that a person’s own carelessness was the real cause of the slip and fall. They might argue that you were distracted or not looking where you were going.
To overcome such arguments, you must demonstrate how the fall occurred. A personal injury attorney can help gather statements from people who saw you slip. If there are security cameras, the footage can serve as powerful evidence. If the store owner or manager wrote an accident report or incident reports at the time, those documents can also explain how and where the fall took place.
In personal injury cases, proving causation can be difficult without thorough documentation. Always seek medical attention right after the fall accident occurs. Prompt medical care helps you recover, and it also creates a record that ties the injuries to the date and location of your fall.
Evidence in a Slip and Fall Case
Sometimes, it’s your word against the property owner’s in a slip and fall case. That’s why it is vital to have strong evidence that supports your claim. The following types of evidence may be helpful proof in a slip and fall claim:
- Incident reports – If you filed an incident report with the property owner, manager, or occupant after your slip and fall, the report could provide valuable information about where, when, and how the accident occurred.
- Photos of the accident scene – Photographic evidence of the scene of your slip and fall may show signs of negligent maintenance, clutter, spills, or missing or obscured warning signs.
- Video footage of the incident – If the property has security cameras, video footage might show evidence of tripping hazards, employee negligence, or the slip and fall itself.
- Eyewitness statements – If a customer or employee saw your slip and fall, the witness testimony could provide valuable support for your side of the story.
- Clothing and shoes – The clothing and shoes you were wearing at the time of the fall may be useful evidence. They may have slippery residue on them that could indicate the substance that caused you to slip.
- Maintenance records – Maintenance or cleaning records from the property owner or manager may show that the premises were not inspected, cleaned, maintained, or repaired regularly.
Common Defenses in Slip and Fall Claims
Often, negligent property owners claim that victims are partially or fully responsible for their injuries. In Hawaii, injury victims can recover compensation after an accident if they are less than 51 percent at fault. If a person is found partially responsible for the injury, the settlement would be reduced in proportion to the victim’s share of the blame.
Negligent property owners commonly use one or more of the following defenses to minimize or eliminate their liability for Hawaii slip and fall accidents:
- You were not a legal visitor to the property when the slip and fall occurred. Property owners have no legal responsibility to keep trespassers safe. So they may try to avoid accountability by claiming that you were an unlawful visitor.
- You were injured because you were reckless or negligent. You are responsible for taking reasonable precautions to keep yourself safe. The property owner may argue that you were injured because you were engaging in horseplay or other reckless or negligent behavior on the property.
- You were injured because you ignored posted warning signs. If the property owner posted warning signs, the owner might argue that you were hurt because you intentionally ignored or disregarded them.
- You were injured because you did not follow proper safety measures. If safety measures were required or encouraged on the property, the owner might argue that you were injured because you failed to take appropriate precautions.
An experienced slip and fall attorney from the Recovery Law Center can plan for these and other defenses. We will be prepared to fight for the full and fair compensation you deserve.
Is Compensation Possible After a Slip and Fall?
Yes. If you and your lawyer can demonstrate that a property owner’s negligence caused your slip and fall, you could be entitled to compensation for:
- Medical expenses – Compensation can cover past, present, and projected future costs related to your treatment.
- Incidental costs – You might be owed money for the out-of-pocket expenses you incur as a result of the slip and fall. Examples include the costs of travel to and from medical appointments.
- Lost wages – If you miss time at work while you recover from your injuries, you could seek compensation for the value of any reductions in your pay.
- Lost earning potential – If you suffer long-term or permanent disability after your slip and fall, you could receive compensation for the reduction in your long-term earning capacity.
- Pain and suffering – Settlements can include an amount to represent the subjective costs of the physical pain, psychological anguish, and emotional suffering you endure as a result of the accident.
Handling the Insurance Company
Soon after you file a fall claim, the insurance company for the property owner may contact you. Their goal can be to settle the personal injury claim quickly, sometimes offering an amount that may not cover all your medical expenses.
- Do not rush: It might be tempting to accept the first offer, but you should wait until you know the full extent of your injuries.
- Talk to a Lawyer: A personal injury attorney can gauge if the offer is fair. They can also negotiate for better terms.
- Watch What You Say: Anything you tell an insurance adjuster could be used against you later. Stick to the facts.
Many slip and fall cases settle out of court when both sides agree on fair compensation. However, if negotiations do not work out, your attorney can file a fall lawsuit.
Why a Personal Injury Lawyer Helps
A personal injury lawyer can strengthen your slip and fall case. They know how to gather solid proof, talk to witnesses, and analyze property owner policies. This legal knowledge is vital for building a clear argument on why the property owner acted irresponsibly.
Your attorney can also keep track of your medical expenses and out-of-pocket costs, ensuring that you pursue compensation for every loss you suffered. They negotiate with the insurance company, and if a settlement cannot be reached, they take your fall lawsuit to court.
Some people wonder if they should hire a lawyer if their injuries are not severe. A simple fall can lead to back pain or hidden fractures. Without legal support, you might overlook future medical bills or lost wages.
Let Recovery Law Center Help You Build a Strong Slip and Fall Claim
Proving liability in a slip and fall claim depends on showing that a property owner failed to fix or warn about a dangerous condition. By capturing photos, collecting witness statements, and documenting all medical bills, you improve your chances of a fair settlement. You also guard against attempts by an insurance company to shift blame or minimize your personal injury.
At Recovery Law Center, our slip and fall injury lawyer is ready to stand by you. We want you to focus on recovery while we handle every stage of your fall case. If you or a loved one has suffered injuries because of a property owner’s negligence, schedule a consultation.
