Do you need a slip and fall accident attorney? Contact the personal injury legal team at ELG today.
A slip and fall accident commonly refers to a slip and resulting fall due to a dangerous or hazardous condition on public or private property. People can fall as a result of ice or snow on the sidewalk, water on the floor, inconsistencies in flooring material, poor lighting, or hard to see gaps or holes in the ground. Most victims of slip and fall accidents sustain serious injuries such as traumatic brain injury, broken bones, spinal cord injuries, and many more.
The compassionate team of slip and fall accident attorneys at ELG understands how stressful these accidents are, and we want to help ensure that you receive the maximum compensation that you deserve. Call us today for your free consultation with one of our dedicated bilingual Spanish-speaking attorneys.
What Damages Can I File in a Slip and Fall Accident?
If you or a loved one have suffered a slip and fall accident in Arizona and you believe that the property owner was negligent, you have the right to demand compensation for your injuries and losses. With medical expenses piling up and no way to pay for them from having to take time off work to recover, no wonder why victims get easily stressed. With the help of a knowledgeable Yuma slip and fall attorney, you don’t have to shoulder the extra stress alone. You can maximize your compensation and claim damages such as:
- Pain And Suffering- Damages recovered for the pain and discomfort suffered during and after the incident. Your injuries may not seem severe at first, but as time goes on, some injuries can get worse.
- Medical Costs- any costs credited to your recovery. This includes medical care, surgery costs, medications, physical therapy, and more. If the reason for the medical expenses is directly related to the negligence of a business owner, you may be able to add them to your claim
- Future Medical Costs- An estimate of the cost of medical care needed in the future because of the accident, such as future doctor visits or surgeries. Some injuries need more time than others for complete healing.
- Emotional Distress- Serious slip and fall accidents can cause psychological issues such as fear, anxiety, and PTSD. Emotional distress can be included in pain and suffering damages.
- Lost Income- This category deals with the income you will lose by having to take time off work to recover from your injuries and possibly having to leave work for future doctor’s appointments. Medical expenses and household bills can build up while you’re recovering, leaving you with the added stress that you don’t deserve to endure alone.
- Future Income Loss- Sometimes, serious injuries from a slip and fall accident can inhibit you from being able to perform your job at a level that will earn promotions or advancements in your field.
Slip and fall accidents are scary and stressful times. It is important that you receive the maximum compensation that you deserve for your injuries and losses. Our dedicated team of Yuma slip and fall accident attorneys at ELG will stand by your side to ensure that your rights as a victim are protected and your best interests are kept in mind. Call us today for a free consultation at your earliest convenience.
What to do After a Slip and Fall Accident
At least once in their lifetime, everyone has fallen. It’s easy to act as if nothing happened and take off from the scene. Injuries that may not have seemed that bad at the time of the accident may end up being worse after the adrenaline wears off. Leaving the scene of a slip and fall accident is a common mistake most victims make. If you slip and fall on someone else’s property, we advise that you do the following:
- Write Down Details- Look around to see what could have caused you to fall, and write them down. Certain hazards like a broken handrail or a spill on the floor could be fixed or cleaned up right away and the property owner can deny liability.
- Notify the property owner- No matter what part of the premises you were injured on, the property owner must be notified. You may have to fill out an incident report per the property owner’s request. Make sure you get a copy for your own records.
- Document Medical Expenses And Lost Wages- If you go to the doctor’s office, keep documentation of the costs and any diagnosis given. If you miss work, track the hours and salary that you have lost as a result of your accident.
- Write Down Contact Information Of Witnesses- Jot down the names and contact information of anyone who may have seen you fall. This information can be very useful in your case.
- Take Note Of What You Are Wearing- Take photographs of the outfit you were wearing and any damage done to this outfit. Some property owners can try to deny liability and claim that you were wearing pants that are too long or the wrong kind of shoes.
- Photograph Visible Injuries- If any injuries are visible at the time of your accident, make sure you take pictures. This is important evidence for your case.
- Continue to document- Keep a daily journal to keep a record of your injuries and how well they’re healing. Be sure to note in this journal how your injuries have impacted your life.
Before filing your claim, an attorney needs to conduct an investigation, collect evidence, and gather medical reports and other documents necessary to aid you in your claim. This all takes time. The statute of limitations in the state of Arizona for a personal injury claim is 2 years after the date of the incident.
If you or a loved one have been seriously injured in a slip and fall accident in the Phoenix and Mesa area, don’t hesitate to call ELG. Our knowledgeable team of slip and fall accident attorneys is here to answer any questions you may have about your situation and can help you determine if you have a personal injury case. Contact us today for your free, no-obligation, and confidential consultation today.
Business Owners Owe a Duty of Care to the Public
In most personal injury cases that deal with slip and fall accidents, the owner of the establishment where the injury occurred is held responsible for negligence. This is because the establishment owner owes a duty of care to its customers. Duty of care is defined as another person’s obligation to not injure another person or place them in harm’s way. This duty requires the establishment owner to make the premises of their business safe for its customers. If a business owner’s duty of care is breached by creating a dangerous situation or allowing a dangerous situation to persist, this is considered negligence. Negligence is divided into four parts:
- Duty- It must be proven that the defendant had a duty of care to the plaintiff in the specific case. The term duty of care is defined as another person’s obligation to not injure another person or place them in harm’s way. Everyone has a duty of care to others around them.
- Breach- Once it is established that the defendant had a duty of care, it is determined whether the defendant breached their duty of care, or failed to live up to it. It could also mean inaction or failure to take appropriate action to prevent harm to the plaintiff. Did the defendant create a dangerous situation or allow a dangerous situation to persist?
- Damage- The plaintiff must be able to prove the defendant’s negligence resulted in some tangible injury or any kind of measurable loss. In the case of slip and fall accidents, this could be proven by any evidence provided by the plaintiff.
- Causation- Once all of the above has been proven, the plaintiff also must prove that the defendant’s action or lack of action was the cause of their fall, or that their fall would not have happened due to the defendant’s actions.
Working With a Slip and Fall Accident Attorney
Nobody expects to be injured while at the grocery store. With having to take time off work to recover, medical expenses and household bills tend to pile up. You don’t have to suffer through the added stress alone, our compassionate team of Yuma slip and fall accident attorneys at ELG is here to help. With decades of combined experience, our team of attorneys is dedicated to being supportive and excelling in all aspects of the services we provide for our clients. Call us today at (623) 877-3600 for a free consultation with an attorney at your earliest convenience.