If you were injured in a slip and fall accident in Joplin, Missouri, you may be unsure where to turn for answers. When a business or property owner neglects to fix or warn about dangerous conditions like slippery floors, broken stairs, or icy walkways, serious slip and fall injuries can occur. In these cases, Missouri law may allow you to pursue compensation. Contact the Joplin slip and fall attorneys at Buchanan Williams & O’Brien to discuss your rights and next steps.
Buchanan Williams & O’Brien has been a trusted law firm serving Missourians for over 40 years.
-
Committed to always treating clients with courtesy and respect
-
Benefit from the unrivaled experience of our statewide team of lawyers
-
Trust the proven success we’ve delivered to clients for decades
Slip and Fall Accident Lawyers in Joplin
Property owners in Joplin have a legal duty to maintain their premises in a reasonably safe condition for lawful visitors to help prevent slip and fall accidents. When they breach this duty, and a person is injured as a result, they may be held liable in a premises liability claim.
An experienced Joplin slip and fall lawyer at Buchanan Williams & O’Brien, P.C. will build a compelling case on your behalf, gathering evidence, identifying liable parties, and negotiating aggressively with the insurance company to pursue compensation for your losses, including medical bills, lost wages, and pain and suffering.
For over 40 years, Buchanan, Williams & O’Brien has earned the trust of injury victims in Joplin and beyond. We’ve recovered millions for our clients across Missouri, bringing local insight, proven results, and the integrity our clients have trusted for decades.
Common Causes of Slip and Fall Injuries in Joplin
Slip and fall accidents can happen anywhere, from a grocery store on Rangeline Road to a neighbor’s front steps. Whether you’re shopping downtown, visiting a business, or walking through an apartment complex, unsafe property conditions can lead to catastrophic injury.
Here are some of the most common causes and the injuries that often follow:
- Wet or slippery floors: Spills in supermarkets, freshly mopped floors, or rainwater tracked indoors can lead to sudden falls and result in injuries like broken hips, wrist fractures, or concussions.
- Uneven or cracked sidewalks: Poorly maintained sidewalks or parking lots, particularly in residential neighborhoods or older parts of town, can lead to ankle sprains, knee or back injuries.
- Loose or torn carpeting: In hotels, office or apartment buildings, unsecured rugs and worn carpeting can cause trips that lead to shoulder dislocations or facial injuries.
- Poor lighting: Inadequate lighting in stairwells, hallways, or parking garages makes it harder to see hazards, often leading to missteps and falls with resulting neck or spinal injuries.
- Broken or missing handrails: Staircases without secure handrails, common in older commercial buildings, can cause dangerous falls, particularly for older adults, leading to serious head or back trauma.
- Cluttered walkways or aisles: In retail stores, offices, or apartment complexes, obstructed walking paths, such as boxes, cords, or merchandise left in high-traffic areas, can cause unexpected trips and falls, often leading to knee injuries, sprains, or fractures.
Winter Weather
Missouri’s Natural Accumulation Rule generally protects property owners from liability for slip and fall injuries caused by the natural buildup of snow and ice. However, if a landowner’s actions create or worsen a hazard, such as improper snow placement, negligent ice removal, or leaving known icy conditions unaddressed after the weather event, they may be held liable.
Confused about premises liability in Joplin, MO? We are here to answer your questions.
Proving Negligence in a Slip and Fall
To succeed in a slip and fall claim, the burden is on the plaintiff (accident victim) and their attorney to prove that the property owner was negligent, in other words, that their carelessness led to your injury.
Missouri law requires establishing the following four key elements of negligence:
- Duty of Care: The property owner had a legal obligation to maintain the premises in a reasonably safe condition for lawful visitors.
- Breach of Duty: The owner failed to correct or warn about a hazardous condition, such as broken stairs or poor lighting.
- Causation: This breach directly caused your slip and fall accident and resulting injuries.
- Damages: You suffered measurable harm, such as medical bills, lost wages, and pain and suffering
Actual vs. Constructive Notice
A critical issue in these cases is whether the property owner knew or should have known about the dangerous condition. This is known as:
- Actual Notice: The owner was aware of the hazard (e.g., an employee reported a spill).
- Constructive Notice: The hazard existed long enough that the owner should have discovered and addressed it through regular maintenance or inspection.
For example, if a spill sat in a grocery store aisle for 30 minutes without cleanup, the store may be deemed to have constructive notice, especially if it lacked a reasonable inspection routine.
What to Do After a Slip and Fall Injury
The actions you take following a slip and fall injury are critical, not only for protecting your health but also for preserving your right to pursue a personal injury claim. If your injuries prevent you from taking these steps, a companion or witness may be able to assist on your behalf:
- Document the Scene Immediately. Use your phone to photograph and record video of the exact location where the incident occurred. Conditions that caused your fall, such as wet floors or obstructed walkways, can be altered or cleaned up quickly by the property owner or staff. Clear visual evidence is critical for substantiating your claim.
- Report the Incident Promptly. Notify the property owner or manager as soon as possible. If the fall occurred at a commercial location (e.g., a restaurant, hotel, or retail store), request and complete an incident report. Be sure to obtain a copy for your records.
- Seek Medical Attention Without Delay. Even if you believe your injuries are minor, it is essential to undergo a medical evaluation. Some injuries may not present symptoms immediately. Delayed treatment can undermine your claim, as insurance carriers may argue that your injuries are unrelated or less severe than alleged.
- Preserve Your Clothing and Footwear. Place your shoes and clothes in clean paper bags without washing or altering them. These items may contain valuable evidence, such as residue, tears, stains, or damage, that can help establish liability.
What Not to Do
Avoid discussing the accident or your injuries on social media. Insurance companies routinely monitor online activity and may use your posts to dispute or devalue your claim. Even seemingly harmless comments, such as stating you are “feeling better,” can be misconstrued and used to undermine the seriousness of your injuries.
Do not speak with the property owner’s insurance company before consulting a slip and fall lawyer in Joplin. Claims adjusters are trained to elicit statements that may later be used against you. Politely decline to provide any recorded statements or sign documents until you have obtained legal counsel.
See What Our Clients are Saying
Contact Us
