When To Consult An Experienced Houston Slip And Fall Lawyer?
A regular day in Houston can quickly turn tragic as a result of a slip and fall accident that occurs because of a property owner’s negligence. Slip and fall injuries can cause serious personal injury as well as significant financial losses. A victim of a slip and fall accident may incur lost income, medical bills, and property damage for which the negligent party could be held responsible.
Negligence is defined as a party’s failure to act with the prudence or care that a reasonable person would have used under similar circumstances. This means that negligence can occur in a slip and fall accident if someone’s, usually the property owner’s, conduct falls below the standard of care that is reasonably expected.
A property owner may be liable for any injuries that a victim sustains on the owner’s property if the victim can demonstrate that the property owner was negligent in allowing the condition that was the direct cause of the accident on the owner’s property to exist.
If the conditions negligently permitted to exist result in a reasonably foreseeable injury, then the property owner is likely to be found liable for the injuries.
If you have been injured on someone else’s property because of a hazardous condition, you should consider contacting a Houston slip and fall lawyer. In many cases, there will be no fee for your initial consultation, case evaluation, or representation unless the firm guarantees you the compensation you seek for your losses.
What are the responsibilities of a Property Owner?
Property owners are expected to be aware of and repair the hazards that may exist on their premises and have appropriate precautions in place to prevent people from being exposed to those dangerous conditions. If a property owner is aware of a hazard and fails to take action to correct it or notify others around to beware of the hazard, that individual may be liable for any injuries that another person sustains on the premises.
A property owner has a duty to exercise reasonable care in ensuring that the premises are safe for all visitors, tenants, employees, or anyone else who may lawfully be on their property. When an individual enters onto another person’s property with permission, either express or implied, they do so with the understanding that the premises have been inspected and are safe for them to walk on. A property owner should make a reasonable inspection of the premises before allowing any visitors to enter them.
If there are any conditions that may pose an unreasonable risk of harm, the property owner should bring them to the visitor’s attention right away. Because it can be challenging to navigate the claims process alone after an injury, it can be valuable for you to speak with a personal injury attorney about the legal options available to you.
Common Types of Slip and Fall Injuries
Even the most careful person can have an accident if conditions are not ideal. However, there are some categories of people who may be more susceptible to slip and fall accidents, including the elderly, people who are carrying heavy objects or otherwise distracted, and those with limited mobility.
The elderly can be especially susceptible to slip and fall accidents for a number of reasons. Because of their age, they tend to be less agile than younger people due to slower reflexes. They may also have poor eyesight or hearing and may have a harder time maintaining balance and attention, which can make them more susceptible to tripping or stumbling.
There are many situations and factors that can cause slip and fall accidents to occur, such as:
- Slippery or cluttered walking surfaces
- Poorly maintained stairways and railings
- Sloped walking surfaces
- Uneven, worn, broken, or missing flooring
- Objects left in walkways
- Insufficient lighting on stairways and walkways
- Walking on ice, snow, or wet leaves
- Slippery outdoor surfaces (such as sidewalks) due to rain, ice, snow, or sleet
If you have been injured in a slip and fall accident, you should seek medical attention right away. It can also be wise to speak promptly with an attorney about your injuries and the legal options available to you.
When someone is hurt in a slip and fall accident, their medical bills can easily be very high because of the number of visits they have to make to the doctor or emergency room.
It is critical to seek immediate medical attention after a slip, trip, or fall, because sometimes it can be difficult to identify any slow appearing injuries from slip and fall accidents. These may include:
- Fractures
- Bruises, strains, and sprains
- Back and spinal cord injuries
- Soft tissues injuries
- Head injuries including concussions and traumatic brain injuries
If you have questions about whether you may have a viable personal injury claim, you should contact a Houston slip and fall lawyer.
What Are The Roles And Responsibilities Of An Attorney
When you file a claim for an injury that you suffered in a slip and fall accident, the property owner’s insurance company will likely try to avoid compensating you for your losses. They may also allege that you were not actually injured, or that you contributed to your own injury by not being careful enough in the situation.
If you were hurt in a slip and fall accident, an attorney can help you gather evidence and build your l case so that you can receive appropriate compensation for all of your medical expenses and damages.
You should call a Houston slip and fall lawyer as soon as possible after you are injured on someone else’s property because an experienced lawyer will have the skills necessary to help you collect the necessary evidence to prove your case. The sooner you can get a professional involved, the better chance you may have of receiving the full compensation that you deserve.
A Houston personal injury attorney experienced in slip and fall cases can help determine whether you have a strong premises liability case against the property owner. They will also be able to help you determine the types of compensation for which you may be eligible, including for your medical bills, lost wages, and pain and suffering.
In addition to proving that the owner or occupier of the property was negligent in failing to keep their premises safe, your lawyer can also help you clearly demonstrate that it was not your fault that you were hurt in the accident at all.A Houston slip and fall attorney may also recognize others who may be liable for your injuries.
To prove that the accident and resulting injuries were not your fault, an attorney can present evidence to show that you were not acting negligently when the accident occurred. If there were any witnesses who saw that you slipped and fell due to a hazardous condition on the property, an attorney can use their statements to bolster your case.
Need Legal Counsel? Contact Khattar Law PC.
When dealing with any personal injury case, it can always help to hire an experienced attorney who knows how to build the strongest case possible based on your specific situation. They will have experience dealing with cases just like yours.
They will be able to properly gather evidence, interview the right people, and present your case to the coinsurance companies or in court so that you are able to receive appropriate compensation for your injuries.
If you would like to talk to a Houston slip and fall attorney about your slip and fall accident case, feel free to contact our experienced team for a free case evaluation today.