Slip/Trip and Fall Injuries

A slip and fall injury happens, in most instances, in less than the blink of an eye. Slip and fall injuries include slips, trips or falls which result from a dangerous/hazardous condition. If the dangerous condition is due to the negligence of the person or business that owns or controls the property (i.e., property owner, store owner, homeowner, etc.), then that person or business may be legally responsible for the injuries sustained by the injured person.

Duty to Protect You from Harm

Simply put, the owner of a property has a duty to protect you from an unreasonable risk of harm.  If the owner knew, or should have known, of the dangerous condition and failed to warn you of that condition, or failed to make that dangerous condition safe, then he/she breached his/her duty to you and she is negligent.

• Broken step(s) or staircase railing
• Hidden or covered hole in the ground,  sidewalk or walkway
• Uneven or badly aligned sidewalk
• Spill in store aisle
• Accumulation of ice, water or snow
• Poor lighting
• Wet floors
• Food and foreign substances on the floor

Injuries from slip or trip and fall incidents can be devastating and can range from a simple sprain to broken bones, brain injuries, paralysis or even death.  You may be entitled to recover for your

• Medical Expenses, Past, Present and Future
• Loss of Earnings, Past, Present and Future
• Loss of Earning Capacity
• Pain and Suffering

Every slip or trip and fall injury is unique. The facts that led up to the fall, as well as the fall itself, are all important factors in determining the whether the property owner, store owner or homeowner is liable for your injuries. The injured party is known as the "claimant" or "plaintiff. " The negligent party is known as the "defendant."

VERY IMPORTANT

Do not speak to anyone but
Your Doctors and Your Lawyer!

Both the plaintiff and defendant in these cases will have lawyers battling to prove the other side wrong. That is why it is so very important that you, or someone on your behalf, contact an attorney as soon after the injury occurs as possible. Do not speak to the defendant, his/her insurance company OR his/her attorney until you have spoken with a lawyer.  When you're under the physical and emotional distress that inevitably comes with this type of injury, the defense will try to trick and confuse you into saying things that are simply inaccurate.   These inaccuracies may prove devastating your the future success of your case.

Things You Can Do

• Try to remember as much detail as possible and write it down or record it
• If there were witnesses, get their names and phone numbers
• Take pictures of the scene as soon as possible
• If your injuries are such that you cannot do these things, have a friend or relative do it for you

Little Known Fact
Important Benefit to You

    Many property, store and homeowners have a provision in their insurance policy for medical payments in the event that someone is injured on their property.  If this coverage is available, it is made available regardless of fault -- i.e., you can get a certain amount of your medical bills covered even if the owner was not at fault for your injuries.  This coverage is called Premises Liability Medical Payments.  Ask your attorney about this benefit. 

Mr. Steiger will be happy to discuss your case with you. For a free consultation, please call him at (323) 852-1100 or fill out the form in the "Contact Us" section of this site.