A slip and fall accident can cause someone to suffer severe physical trauma that may require emergency medical treatment and might result in permanent health consequences. These incidents can produce significant injuries such as bone fractures, internal bleeding, and even brain damage. Property owners are often liable for slip and fall injuries, as these injuries are usually preventable through a few simple safety steps such as de-icing a surface or cleaning up a spill.
If you have sustained an injury in a fall resulting from a property manager’s negligence, we can help you to pursue financial compensation for resulting damages. Located in beautiful Northglenn Colorado, we proudly serve the North Denver communities of Arvada, Broomfield, Thornton, Westminster, Northglenn, Lafayette, Superior, Louisville, Brighton, Commerce City and beyond. To discuss your potential case with a reliable attorney, contact the slip and fall attorneys of Hull & Zimmerman, P.C., at (303) 625-6447.
What to do if You’re Involved in a Slip and Fall Accident
If you have been injured in a slip and fall accident you should receive medical treatment as soon as possible, even if you don’t have severe injuries. Below is a list of items that will help you with your slip and fall claim:
- If possible, immediately take pictures of the unsafe conditions that led to your fall and take notes regarding exactly what happened. If you need to have someone else to do this for you, that’s okay, or if you need to come back later to do this, that is also acceptable and recommended. The sooner this is done, the better. The property may be remedied of the unsafe conditions quickly, so getting this proof to support your claim should be completed ASAP.
- Seek medical attention within 72 hours of your slip and fall accident and tell your doctor the details of how your injuries were sustained, the report your doctor provides will be used by the insurance adjusters who review your claim, so be sure you provide as much information as possible.
- Filing an accident report with the business or property manager is a smart move, but not always possible. If there is anyone on the grounds who you can speak with and let know what happened, get their name and phone number, even if it’s not a person of authority.
- Contact a knowledgeable and fair slip and fall attorney right away. A slip and fall lawyer will walk you through your legal options and provide you with the correct steps to take. Never sign anything without consulting your slip and fall attorney first.
Proving Your Slip and Fall Claim
When filing a slip and fall claim, most of our clients are looking for financial compensation due to the loss of work, medical expenses, future lost wages, disability, and pain and suffering.
In order to prove that your slip and fall injuries are due to the negligence and unsafe conditions of a property, our experienced slip and fall attorneys will need to provide supporting evidence. This is usually done by showing that the property or business owner was aware of the unsafe conditions, but did not remedy them or did nothing in the way of offering a warning of the unsafe conditions.
It is always the property owners’ responsibility to provide a safe environment for those who enter their grounds, inside and out. However, we are all responsible for being aware of our surroundings. If you believe you are at fault or partially at fault for your injury, we recommend seeing an experienced slip and fall attorney to find out if making a claim is the best move forward.
Causes of Slip and Fall Accidents
Slip and fall accidents are consistently among the leading causes of accidental injury in the United States, and despite their seemingly innocuous nature, because they can inflict trauma upon the head, neck, and back, they are especially dangerous. Slips and falls often arise due to the following:
- Slick surfaces due to a spill
- Icy or rain-covered surfaces
- Unsteady, uneven, or broken surfaces
- A lack of handrails
- Items left in walkways
Property owners have a responsibility to address any known dangers and to take appropriate measures to identify threats to the safety of guests. Failure to do so may warrant legal action.