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Slip-and-Fall Lawyer in Springfield, MO
You may be simply going about your day, and then suddenly, you slip on the wet floor at the lift lobby in your office building. This is an example of a slip-and-fall accident.
It is a premises liability tort that may occur at any place or time, inside your residence building on slippery floors, on the walkway when it is snowing, or on poorly maintained private property. Such fall cases can cause serious injury. Slip-and-fall victims usually sustain serious injuries, such as hip fractures, head or spinal cord injuries, torn ligaments, and broken bones.
If you are a victim of slip & fall, it is important to consult with an attorney immediately.
A slip-and-fall lawyer can assist you in such cases. Read on to learn how!
Common Causes of Slip-and-Fall Injuries
Some common causes of slips and falls include:
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Defective stairs or sidewalks
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Highly waxed or polished floors
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Holes or potholes
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Ice and snow
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Lack of handrails on the stairs
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Loose floorboards and mats
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Poorly lit areas
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Spills and leaks
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Stray electrical wires and extension cords
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Trash or debris on the floor
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Uneven surfaces
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Worn-out carpeting
Actions to Take When Involved in a Slip-and-Fall Accident
To be successful in a premises liability claim, you need to ensure that crucial evidence is not lost or destroyed by adhering to your personal injury checklist, which includes the following:
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Collecting the names and contact details of witnesses present (if any).
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Going for medical examinations
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Hiring an experienced personal injury attorney (as soon as possible).
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Keeping medical invoices or receipts
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Preserving clothing or shoes worn during the incident
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Refusing to make detailed statements about the fault
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Taking photographs and videos of injuries and the scene
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Writing down the names of property owners or managers
The leading cause of slip and fall accidents could be any hazardous condition or unsafe condition.
What Are the Duties of the Property Owner?
Under Missouri laws, property owners have different duties and obligations depending on the individual’s right to be on the property (premises liability). They are required to apply reasonable care when others are on their property, maintain a safe, clean, and hazard-free environment, and inform guests, licensees, or employees of potentially dangerous conditions and other hazards at the property.
Property owners will be liable for serious injuries sustained if they neglect these responsibilities. However, the court will take note of other facts of the case as well to determine liability. For instance, the court will take into consideration if you are a guest who has no reason to be at the property at the time of the injury sustained (e.g., being at a company parking lot on a national holiday).
If you are unsure of liability, a personal injury lawyer can help you through the process. How to Establish Liability in a Slip-and-Fall Case?
Depending on where a slip-and-fall accident occurs, several entities may be liable, including the property owner, property management companies, other businesses operating on the premises, or even the federal or state government. To establish liability, you must prove that one or both of these entities did the following:
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This caused the dangerous situation that led to your injury.
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Knew about the threatening or dangerous conditions but decided to ignore them.
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Neglected their responsibility to remedy the dangerous condition within a reasonable amount of time.
For instance, if you slipped and fell on a puddle of water from a leaking roof, you must show that the accident resulted from the property owner’s negligence in placing a warning sign next to the puddle.
Missouri courts usually try to determine whether a reasonable person would have made the necessary adjustments to prevent the accident. You need to consult with an experienced attorney to understand Missouri slip and fall laws and how you can protect your rights and receive fair compensation for your loses.
What Type of Damages Can You Recover?
If you are successful in a slip-and-fall case, you can recover monetary damages, including medical bills, lost wages, and other expenses. In addition, you may recover future damages like future medical treatment and lost earning capacity.
An experienced slip-and-fall lawyer can negotiate your slip-and-fall settlement with an insurance or claims adjuster to help you get more compensation.
Slip-and-fall accidents usually require a detailed investigation. The insurance company will likely dispute how the incident occurred or whether it caused enough damage to deserve the compensation demanded.
Therefore, slip-and-fall lawyers may check the security camera footage and examine the scene of the accident and the condition of the building with the help of professional third parties.
Why Do You Need a Slip-and-Fall Lawyer?
Hiring a slip-and-fall attorney can be beneficial in such cases as they provide a host of different services, including:
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Fighting for your rights
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Negotiating compensation for the injuries sustained
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Providing legal representation and assisting you in establishing the facts of your case, etc.
Contact Buchanan, Williams & O’Brien, P.C. Today!
Contact slip-and-fall lawyers at Buchanan, Williams & O’Brien, P.C. today if you’ve been the victim of a business neglecting to maintain their property. A slip-and-fall case can be complicated, but we understand them and know how to handle them.
Our attorneys have won cases that have resulted in compensation for clients in slip-and-fall at-work settlements and protect their rights at every stage of the legal process.
Even if you are partly at fault, we fight for you at the trial to get you the compensation you deserve.
Being in a court of law alone can be intimidating, so let us help you through the process. At Buchanan, Williams & O’Brien, P.C., we have accomplished many victories, including a slip-and-fall win at a big retailer. We can argue your case to a jury at the trial to discuss all the factors that could have caused the accident.
Contact our slip-and-fall attorneys today to schedule a free consultation today!
Frequently Asked Questions
Where Can a Slip-and-Fall Accident Occur?
Slip-and-fall injuries cause severe pain and suffering and can alter the course of your life. Therefore, you may be entitled to compensation when you slip, trip, or fall on someone else’s property in Missouri, including the following places:
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Escalators
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Grocery stores
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Office buildings or workplaces
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Parking lots
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Parks and playgrounds
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Private homes
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Restaurants
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Retirement homes
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Sidewalks
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Stadiums and cinemas
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Stairs
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Theaters
Can You Recover Damages if You Are at Fault?
Individuals are sometimes responsible for their injuries through personal negligence and may receive less compensation. Missouri law requires a judge or jury to examine the fault of all parties involved in a slip-and-fall claim. Comparative fault is used to compare the responsibility of each party involved to determine the extent of liability. Some examples of situations where you may be at fault include:
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Being inattentive while walking or using an escalator
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Climbing the stairs without using the handrails
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Ignoring warning signs
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Running through a parking lot
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Wearing clothes that are extremely long such that they could get caught in the elevator
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Wearing shoes with slippery soles
If you are found guilty in part, the court will reduce the compensation you receive. You may entirely lose out on any settlement if you are significantly guilty. If you had no legitimate reason for being on the premises, you would most likely be at fault for your injuries.
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