When a property owner is negligent in the upkeep and maintenance of their property, they put innocent people at risk of injuries. That’s why slip and fall injuries are among the most common in the world of personal injury law. No matter how minor or severe your accident appears to be at first glance, the effects of a fall can seriously impact your ability to work, health, and overall enjoyment of life. If you’ve been hurt due to someone else’s negligence, reach out to Sanchez, Mitchell, Eastman, & Cure, PSC at 360-692-2196 to learn more about your options.
Types of Slip and Fall Injuries
A slip and fall case can be minor enough to cause short-term pain and soreness, severe enough to lead to death or lifelong injury, or anywhere on the spectrum between these extremes. Some injuries associated with slip and fall cases include:
- Broken bones
- Lacerations
- Sprained muscles
- Dislocated muscles
- Bruises
- Spinal cord trauma
- Spine damage
- Knee injuries
- Traumatic brain injury
Factors in a Slip and Fall Case
With years of experience behind us, the team at Sanchez, Mitchell, Eastman, & Cure, PSC knows what it takes to bring insurance companies to the negotiating table and what courts look for in slip and fall cases. During our consultation and assessment of your case, we’ll consider all of these factors to figure out whether or not you have a case against the property owner:
- The location of your fall
- What caused you to fall
- Whether or not the conditions that caused the fall were dangerous
- How long the dangerous conditions existed prior to the accident
- Whether or not the property owner was responsible for creating or fixing the unsafe conditions
- If your action or inaction had any part in your injuries
Important Evidence
With so many factors coming into play in a slip and fall case, evidence plays a significant part in whether or not you have a case against the property owner. Photographic evidence is key—a few photos can convey dangerous conditions better than any written description. While you should prioritize medical care after a slip and fall accident, set aside time to take photos of the scene. If you have a friend or family member with you, have them take photos from several angles.
If you are able to demonstrate how long the problem existed, we can often build a stronger case. For example, if a business chronically fails to salt walkways after snow or ice storms, it may be easier to prove that they were negligent at the time of your fall.
Property Owners’ Liability
As we build your slip and fall case, the question of liability becomes extremely important. To have a case, you must be able to prove that the property owner or manager is liable for the accident that caused your injuries. The court looks at the conditions, whether or not the property owner was aware of them, if the property owner should have been aware of them, and how they would expect any reasonable property owner to act under similar circumstances. In the example above, if a jury believes that any reasonable property owner would salt walkways promptly after an ice storm, they may award damages against the owner in your case.
What’s Your Next Step?
Slip and fall cases are complex and often difficult to prove. If you try to take on the insurance company yourself, it’s likely that you’ll receive a small settlement or no settlement at all. Our team knows what will drive insurance companies to negotiate, and whether we have to take your case to court or settle with the company, you can be sure that we’ll use every tactic we have to get you the compensation you deserve.
Time is of the essence in a slip and fall case. If you or someone you love has been injured, call the team at Sanchez, Mitchell, Eastman, & Cure at 360-479-3000 to discuss your case in greater detail.