Few people in Hawaii take fall injuries as seriously as they should, but you know just how devastating they can be. You might have suffered sprains, broken bones or even a head injury because of your recent accident. Like many victims, you may need help navigating the aftermath of your slip-and-fall accident.
Compensation for your injuries could be essential to your recovery. You probably have medical bills piling up, and if you had to take time off work, then that loss of income is only compounding your problems. A successfully pursued premises liability suit can help you recover necessary compensation, but you will have to prove that someone else was at fault.
Proving liability
Demonstrating that another person’s negligent actions caused you to fall and injure yourself is necessary but sometimes difficult. It might be helpful to ask yourself if the accident could have been a preventable one if there had been additional care taken by the property owner. If the answer is yes, then they might be responsible.
This could include things like fixing broken flooring or loose carpeting, but it also covers a wide range of other responsibilities. Property owners have to make sure that attractive nuisances — things like trampolines and pools — are secure and inaccessible to others. When the owner is unable to immediately address such concerns, he or she should put up signs warning of potential dangers.
Were their actions reasonable?
If you slipped and fell on a puddle caused by a leaking roof, you would understandably want to hold the property owner responsible. However, it is necessary to consider how long the roof was leaking. If the leak had started the previous day, the owner may have been waiting for rain to stop so that he or she could repair the issue. If the leak was an ongoing issue that had lasted for months, then the inaction becomes far less reasonable.
You can also look into daily maintenance practices to determine whether an owner’s actions were reasonable. Did the owner perform regular maintenance and inspect the property daily? If so, should they have been aware of the hazards on the property?
Need compensation? We can help
Whether you tripped on a piece of loose pavement, in a dark stairwell or on a slippery puddle, getting the legal recourse you need is a priority. Financial compensation is often the key to unlocking the best possible recovery. This applies to not only your physical injuries but any lingering trauma or emotional distress with which you are dealing.
Unfortunately, property owners in Hawaii are usually not eager to admit negligence. Working with an experienced attorney is often a good idea for victims of slip-and-fall accidents, as these individuals can provide knowledgeable guidance and advice for navigating a premises liability suit.
