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Slip And Fall Lawyer : Premises Liability Attorney



SLIP AND FALL ACCIDENTS

 UNDERSTANDING YOUR RIGHTS AND LEGAL OPTIONS

Slip and fall accidents are some of the most common types of personal injury claims in the United States, affecting millions of people annually. The law surrounding these claims can be complex, often involving issues of premises liability, negligence, and hazardous property conditions. At Gordon & Elias LLP, our attorneys specialize in helping victims of slip and fall accidents pursue justice and secure compensation to cover medical expenses, lost wages, and other damages.


Slip and fall accidents can happen suddenly and unexpectedly, often resulting in serious injuries that impact victims physically, emotionally, and financially. If you've been injured in a slip and fall accident due to unsafe conditions on someone else's property, you may be entitled to compensation for your medical bills, lost wages, pain and suffering, and other damages.


Property owners have an implicit duty to keep their land safe for visitors.  Unfortunately, falls are one of the leading causes of injury in the United States, comprising millions of visits to emergency rooms annually. Serious falls can result in lifelong complications, such as memory loss, permanent disability, and paralysis.


If you’ve been injured on someone else’s property, it may be because they were careless in its maintenance or care. If a slip and fall accident resulted in measurable harm, you may be able to file a lawsuit based on a legal concept known as premises liability.


Premises liability is a form of personal injury law that relies on the idea of negligence. In a slip and fall case, your legal team must prove that a property owner’s failure to maintain the property led to your injuries. On the other hand, an owner isn’t automatically negligent if you’ve been injured on their property. Generally, we define negligence as when a property owner knew (or should have known) about a dangerous condition, but failed to address it.


At Gordon & Elias, LLP, we fight aggressively to ensure that you receive the full compensation that you deserve, covering everything from medical bills to lost wages.

A man is falling down a set of stairs.


FREE SLIP AND FALL / PREMISES LIABILITY INJURY CASE CONSULTATION

Take advantage of the free case review by an experienced personal injury attorney at Gordon & Elias, LLP to learn what options are available to help you win a monetary recovery for a slip and fall injury or death. We have extensive experience handling slip and fall or premises liability injury cases in the US. We will give you the attention you deserve. Call for an appointment today. We have an office in Houston, as well as a Rio Grande Valley office in Edinburg, Texas.



NO UPFRONT FEES

After a serious accident involving a slip and fall do not wait to contact a premises liability attorney. A knowledgeable slip and fall accident lawyer from Gordon & Elias, LLP will review your case and explain your rights for free. 


Our personal injury lawyers handle cases including serious slip and fall accidents as well as premise liability injuries, on a contingent fee bases. Our consultation is free, but a percentage on the amount recovered, usually 33.33%, will be taken as our lawyer's fee.


Contact Gordon & Elias, LLP today to learn how we can help you recover the compensation you deserve. We handle all the costs of investigating and pursuing your claim, and you only pay us if we recover money for you.


  • We will gather key documentation such as police reports, witness accounts, and medical records to bolster your case and ensure it is well-supported.
  • Our team will conduct an in-depth review of your accident, carefully analyzing the specifics to develop a robust case that clearly demonstrates the scope of your injuries and losses.
  • Our experienced premises liability attorneys will stand up for your rights, representing you in negotiations and court proceedings to ensure your voice is heard and your best interests are protected.
  • We will manage all interactions with insurance companies on your behalf, working diligently to secure a settlement that accurately reflects the full extent of your damages.
  • We’ll provide clear advice about your legal rights and available options, ensuring you are informed about every potential outcome and decision throughout the process.


Do not immediately accept an insurance settlement if an insurance company contacts you.


We strongly advise you to first speak with a personal injury lawyer who is knowledgeable with serious slip and fall or premises liability injuries.

 

Call us at (800) 773-6770 to discuss the details of your accident and injury claim right away. We can provide trustworthy legal advice and guide you through the rest of the steps toward obtaining fair and full financial compensation.


We understand the immense frustration and hardship that victims of serious slip and fall accidents often endure, both emotionally and financially. Our commitment is to stand by those who have been wrongfully injured or bereaved, and we will relentlessly pursue justice on behalf of every client we represent.



UNDERSTANDING SLIP AND FALL ACCIDENTS

A slip and fall accident occurs when someone loses their footing and falls due to a hazardous condition on someone else’s property. These incidents can result in serious injuries such as broken bones, head trauma, spinal cord damage, and even death. According to the National Floor Safety Institute, falls account for over 8 million hospital emergency room visits, making them the leading cause of injury-related visits in the U.S.



Slip and fall accidents can happen virtually anywhere—commercial properties, private homes, public spaces, and workplaces. When they do, it’s essential to determine whether the property owner or manager could have prevented the accident by maintaining safe conditions. That’s where the concept of premises liability comes into play.



PREMISES LIABILITY: HOLDING PROPERTY OWNERS ACCOUNTABLE

Premises liability is a legal concept that holds property owners and managers responsible for ensuring their premises are safe for visitors. This area of law requires property owners to maintain safe environments and repair dangerous conditions that could lead to accidents. If a person is injured on someone else’s property due to negligence or a hazardous condition, the property owner could be held liable for the damages.


This duty of care applies to various types of properties, including:


  • Retail stores and shopping centers
  • Restaurants and bars
  • Office buildings
  • Apartment complexes
  • Private homes
  • Public sidewalks and walkways
  • Parking lots and garages



When property owners fail to uphold this duty and someone is injured as a result, the injured party may have grounds for a premises liability claim.



PROVING NEGLIGENCE IN SLIP AND FALL CASES

Property owners and managers have a responsibility to regularly inspect their premises, promptly address any hazards, and provide adequate warnings about potential dangers. Failure to do so may constitute negligence.


To win a slip and fall case, you must prove that the property owner or manager was negligent. This typically involves showing that the owner failed to take reasonable steps to prevent or fix hazardous conditions that led to the accident. Key elements of negligence include:


  • Duty of care: The property owner owed a legal duty to ensure the premises were safe.
  • Breach of duty: The owner failed to meet this duty by neglecting to address hazards.
  • Causation: The breach of duty directly caused the slip and fall accident.
  • Damages: The victim suffered actual harm or injury as a result of the accident.


For example, if a grocery store employee fails to clean up a spilled liquid promptly, and a customer slips and suffers a severe injury, the store may be considered negligent.



Establishing negligence often requires gathering and presenting strong evidence, which may include:


  • Photographs or video of the hazardous condition
  • Incident reports
  • Witness statements
  • Maintenance and inspection records
  • Expert testimony


An experienced premises liability attorney can help investigate your accident, collect crucial evidence, and build a compelling case on your behalf.

A man is cleaning a wooden floor with a mop


COMMON CAUSES OF SLIP AND FALL ACCIDENTS

Slip and fall accidents can occur due to a wide range of hazardous conditions, including:



  • Wet or slippery floors
  • Uneven walking surfaces
  • Torn or bunched carpeting
  • Poorly lit stairways
  • Missing or broken handrails
  • Icy sidewalks or parking lots
  • Potholes or cracks in walkways
  • Spills or debris on floors
  • Recently waxed or mopped floors
  • Loose floorboards or tiles


TYPES OF SLIP AND FALL INJURIES

Slip and fall accidents can result in a wide range of injuries, from minor bruises to severe, life-altering trauma. Some common slip and fall injuries include:


  • Fractures and broken bones
  • Sprains and strains
  • Back and spinal cord injuries
  • Traumatic brain injuries (TBI)
  • Shoulder and knee injuries
  • Cuts and lacerations
  • Soft tissue injuries


The severity of these injuries can vary greatly, potentially leading to long-term disability, chronic pain, and significant medical expenses. It's crucial to seek immediate medical attention following a slip and fall accident, even if your injuries seem minor at first. Some injuries may not be immediately apparent but can worsen over time if left untreated.



TRIP AND FALL ACCIDENTS: A COMMON SUBSET OF SLIP AND FALL CASES

While slip and fall accidents often involve slick surfaces, trip and fall incidents occur when a person’s foot strikes an object or uneven surface, causing them to fall. Common causes of trip and fall accidents include:


  • Uneven flooring: Cracks in sidewalks, potholes, and uneven pavement can cause someone to trip.
  • Unmarked steps or changes in elevation
  • Obstructions: Items like cables, debris, or equipment left in walkways can be hazardous.
  • Loose carpeting or flooring: Torn or wrinkled carpets and flooring materials can lead to tripping hazards.
  • Poor lighting conditions


Like slip and fall cases, trip and fall accidents fall under the umbrella of premises liability law. Property owners have a duty to address these hazards or, at the very least, provide clear warnings and ensure safe passage for visitors and guests. 



UNSAFE PROPERTY CONDITIONS: A RECIPE FOR DISASTER

One of the most common factors leading to slip and fall accidents is unsafe property conditions. Property owners must take reasonable steps to identify and address these hazards to prevent accidents and injuries. Failure to do so may be considered negligence and could form the basis for a premises liability claim.



 Some examples of unsafe conditions include:


  • Wet or slippery floors: Spills, leaks, and freshly cleaned floors can cause dangerous slipping hazards.
  • Poor lighting: Inadequate lighting in stairwells, hallways, or parking lots can make it difficult for people to see hazards.
  • Broken stairs or handrails: Defective or missing handrails, as well as broken or uneven steps, create dangerous situations for anyone using the stairs.
  • Cluttered walkways: Boxes, merchandise, or equipment left in pathways pose a risk for trips and falls.
  • Unsafe playground equipment
  • Poorly maintained swimming pools
  • Falling objects from shelves or displays
  • Collapsing ceilings or structures


If you’ve been injured due to unsafe conditions, Gordon & Elias LLP can help you hold the negligent property owner accountable and seek compensation for your injuries.



NEGLIGENT SECURITY: WHEN INADEQUATE PROTECTION LEADS TO INJURY

In some cases, slip and fall accidents or other injuries occur due to negligent security. This typically involves a property owner failing to provide adequate security measures in environments where criminal activity or other dangers are foreseeable. This concept, known as negligent security, applies when:


  • The property owner knew or should have known about the risk of criminal activity.
  • They failed to implement reasonable security measures.
  • Their failure to provide adequate security directly led to a crime occurring.
  • The victim suffered injuries or damages as a result.


Negligent security claims can arise from incidents such as:


  • Inadequate lighting in parking lots or stairwells that make it easier for crimes like assaults or robberies to occur.
  • Inadequate locks on doors or windows
  • Failure to install or maintain security cameras, which could deter criminal behavior or provide evidence after an incident.
  • Lack of security personnel, especially in high-crime areas or during events with large crowds.


While most negligent security cases focus on criminal incidents, they can sometimes intersect with slip and fall claims. For example, poor lighting in a parking garage may not only enable criminal activity but also cause someone to trip and fall.

Silhouette of a person looking over dark stairs


INADEQUATE MAINTENANCE: A BREACH OF RESPONSIBILITY

Property owners are responsible for maintaining their premises to ensure they remain safe. Inadequate maintenance is a leading cause of many slip and fall accidents. Examples of poor maintenance include:


  • Unrepaired leaks: Leaks in ceilings or pipes that are not fixed can create slippery floors, leading to accidents.
  • Worn-out flooring: Failure to repair or replace worn carpeting, tiles, or linoleum can result in trip hazards.
  • Broken fixtures: Things like loose handrails, broken tiles, and faulty lighting fixtures can lead to accidents.
  • Failure to clear ice and snow: In colder climates, property owners must ensure that walkways, driveways, and parking lots are cleared of snow and ice. Failing to do so creates hazardous conditions that can lead to slips and falls.
  • Crumbling stairs or loose handrails
  • Leaky pipes causing slippery floors
  • Faulty wiring leading to electrical hazards
  • Overgrown vegetation obstructing walkways
  • Poorly maintained equipment or machinery


Documenting the lack of maintenance and connecting it to your accident is crucial in building a strong premises liability case.


The attorneys at Gordon & Elias LLP have extensive experience handling cases involving inadequate maintenance, ensuring that negligent property owners are held accountable.



WHEN CAN YOU SUE A PROPERTY OWNER?

Property owners (or their managers) each have a legally-binding duty to keep their property safe if it is open to visitors or the public. If they fail in this duty, they might be legally responsible for damages incurred on their property.


If you’ve been a victim of a trip and fall or slip and fall accident, you may be able to file a personal injury lawsuit if one of the following apply:


  • The owner of a property (or their employee) caused a defective or dangerous condition on the property, such as an uneven stair.
  • They knew that the dangerous condition existed, but did nothing about it.
  • The owner or their employees should have reasonably known the dangerous condition existed and repaired/ removed it.


If you can answer yes to any of these questions, you may have legal grounds for a premises liability lawsuit. A personal injury attorney can help you decide if your case has legal merit.


Among those who survive a fall, serious injuries are common:


  • Fractured bones
  • Head and brain injuries
  • Spinal cord damage and paralysis
  • Herniated discs
  • Neck and back sprains and strains
  • Internal organ damage
  • Lacerations and scarring
  • Death


The CDC reports that in addition to the large number of deaths, even more people sustain injuries in falls, many of them very serious or catastrophic. Falls are the most common cause of death on the job, the third most frequent cause of death by accident overall, and the most common cause of accidental death among seniors over 65.


Many of these falls are preventable and are caused by someone’s negligence in the upkeep of their premises.



SEEKING COMPENSATION FOR SLIP AND FALL ACCIDENTS

If you’ve been injured in a slip and fall accident, you may be entitled to compensation for the following:


  • Medical expenses: This includes costs for hospital stays, surgeries, medication, physical therapy, rehabilitation costs, future medical care and home modifications or assistive devices
  • Lost wages: If your injury has caused you to miss work, you may be compensated for lost wages and any reduced earning capacity.
  • Pain and suffering: Emotional distress and physical pain resulting from your injury can be compensable.
  • Property damage: If any of your personal property was damaged during the accident, you may seek compensation for its repair or replacement.



A fall can cause serious, debilitating injuries. If you’ve been injured in an accident, you know that medical bills, rehabilitation expenses, and prescriptions add up quickly. Your injuries may even keep you from returning to your livelihood, costing you lost wages and reduced earning capacity. We routinely see families who struggle to keep up with these costs.


The specific damages available in your case will depend on the nature and severity of your injuries, as well as the impact they've had on your life. Our experienced premises liability attorney can help assess the full extent of your damages and fight for maximum compensation on your behalf.


A premises liability lawsuit will help families regain their financial security while providing a sense of closure. A personal injury settlement will help you pay for all the associated costs of your recovery, as well as provide compensation for pain and suffering.


If you believe you have grounds for a slip and fall claim, contact us for a free initial consultation. We offer our services on a contingency-fee basis, so you don’t pay anything unless we win.



STATUTE OF LIMITATIONS

It's important to be aware that there are time limits, known as statutes of limitations, for filing premises liability claims. These deadlines vary by state but typically range from one to four years from the date of the accident. Failing to file your claim within the applicable statute of limitations can result in losing your right to seek compensation.


Additionally, evidence crucial to your case may become lost or degraded over time, and witnesses' memories may fade. For these reasons, it's advisable to consult with an attorney as soon as possible after your accident to protect your legal rights and preserve important evidence.



EXPERIENCED COUNSEL IS A MUST!

Navigating the legal complexities of slip and fall cases can be overwhelming. You need a skilled and experienced legal team to ensure that your case is handled properly and that you receive the compensation you deserve. The attorneys at Gordon & Elias LLP are dedicated to providing personalized and effective legal representation for slip and fall victims. They understand the nuances of premises liability law and have a track record of success in holding negligent property owners accountable.


We understand the physical, emotional, and financial toll that slip and fall accidents can take on victims and their families. Our goal is to alleviate your stress and fight tirelessly for the full and fair compensation you deserve to support your recovery and secure your future.


Don't let a property owner's negligence derail your life. Contact Gordon & Elias LLP today for a free, no-obligation consultation to discuss your slip and fall case and learn about your legal options. Our experienced slip and fall / premises liability lawyers are ready to fight for the justice and compensation you deserve.

We have a reputation of bringing respect, professionalism and a personal touch to every injury claim we accept.

Every state limits the amount of time you have to file a claim.

Don't Delay.

Contact the Attorneys at Gordon & Elias, LLP Today to preserve your right to a recovery.

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