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ToggleYou’ve Suffered a Painful Slip and Fall—Now What?
If you have ever suffered a slip and fall, whether in public, on another’s property, or at work, you likely experienced a mixture of embarrassment and pain, as well as a significant injury. Whenever you walk in a public place, there may be existing hazards present which could lead to a slip and fall with injury. Floors may be wet and/or slippery, there could be poor lighting in the area, or there may be items left in the walkway, creating a trip hazard. Whatever the cause, any time a person suffers a slip and fall accident, striking a hard surface, injuries can occur.
If the hard surface comes into contact with a fleshy part of the body, it is likely the injuries will be less severe—although still painful and serious. If a person’s bones or skull connect with the hard surface, the resulting injuries can be much more traumatic. In the most severe instances of a slip and fall, the injured person could face astronomical medical expenses and may be unable to return to his or her normal job.
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If you have suffered a slip and fall in the grocery store, restaurant, gym, office building, or in another public place, you know it can happen in an instant. Please don’t assume that your slip and fall injury was, in some way, your fault. If you were injured on another’s property, it is important to understand that it is the owner’s responsibility to keep the environment safe, preventing injuries such as yours. When a property owner or the person responsible for the property fails to keep the area safe for the public, they may have exhibited negligence and may be responsible for your injuries.
At The Law Offices of Dianne Sawaya, we understand what an extremely emotional time this is for you. A slip and fall injury can take you entirely by surprise, and if you do not have the proper help, you may be devastated by the medical, financial, and emotional consequences of that fall. Call Dianne Sawaya today—get the experienced, knowledgeable, and compassionate legal help you need following your slip and fall accident.
Slip and Fall Statistics
According to the National Floor Safety Institute, while slip and fall injuries are not a primary cause of fatal occupational injuries, they do represent the primary cause of lost days from work. Slip and falls which happen at work, home or public places, account for more than one million hospital visits each year, making up about 12 percent of the total number of annual falls. Floors and flooring materials directly contribute to up to 20 percent of slip and falls. Fractures are the most serious consequence of slip and falls although many other injuries can occur, including brain injury.
The Complexities of Slip and Fall Law
Colorado slip and fall law is complex; it is rarely black and white. Even so, if you were injured in a slip and fall, we can—and will—help you. Slip and fall premises liability injury claims require highly experienced highly knowledgeable legal assistance. Premises liability law encompasses a unique form of negligence action that holds landowners responsible for certain injuries that occur on their property. Landowners have a different duty of care to others, depending on a person’s legal status while on the property.
- A person may be a trespasser—a person who has entered the land or remained on the land belonging to another without the landowner’s consent. In other words, the person has not been invited to be on the property, even if they once had permission but have exceeded that permission, remaining unlawfully on the property of the landowner.
- A person could be a licensee—a person who has entered the land or remained on the land for his or her own convenience, pursuant to permission or consent of the landowner. A licensee included a social guest—most guests at a person’s home are considered licensees.
- A person could be an invitee—a person who has entered the land or remained on the land while transacting mutually beneficial business, or a person who has entered the land or remained on the land in response to a landowner’s express or implied representation that the public is expected or intended to enter and remain. If you are shopping at a grocery store or retail store, eating in a restaurant, dancing at a nightclub, using a public restroom, or any other similar activities, you are considered an invitee.
A trespasser would rarely be entitled to damages if he or she were injured while trespassing on a property. A licensee may recover damages resulting from the property owner’s failure to use reasonable care concerning a hazard the owner was aware of. An invitee may recover damages resulting from the landowner’s failure to use reasonable care to protect against hazards he or she was aware of (or should have been aware of).
The Law Offices of Dianne Sawaya is well-equipped to aggressively and passionately fight for you and your family after filing a Colorado premises liability claim on your behalf. The party liable for your slip and fall accident may deny your fall was their fault, therefore, the insurance company could refuse to pay your medical bills. We will cut through the red tape, seeking the compensation you are entitled to for your slip and fall injuries. At The Law Offices of Dianne Sawaya, we are smart and aggressive—and we truly care about your recovery.
Colorado Slip and Fall FAQs
What should I do first after my Colorado slip and fall accident?
If you have suffered a slip and fall, you should immediately seek medical care. Do not underestimate the severity of your injuries—go to the hospital or to urgent care. Even if you think you are “okay,” following your slip and fall, remember this: when you are involved in an accident, your body sends out a rush of adrenaline which can mask injury symptoms. Further, such injuries as whiplash or a concussion may not appear for hours (or even days) after your accident. For these reasons, it is extremely important that you be medically checked out as soon as possible after your slip and fall. If you fail to seek medical attention, you could find yourself injured, facing time away from work and a mountain of medical expenses, but with no way to hold the negligent party accountable. Following a Colorado slip and fall, always do these two things—seek medical attention and contact an experienced Colorado premises liability attorney.
Who will my slip and fall injury claim be filed against?
The answer to this question depends largely on the circumstances surrounding your slip and fall. You may be filing a claim against an insurance company, a contractor, or a property owner. A property owner could be an individual, a corporation, or even a governmental agency. Commercial premises are often owned by big corporations, therefore protected by large insurance companies who keep plenty of attorneys on retainer. No matter your situation regarding your slip and fall, you could definitely benefit from seeking help from The Law Offices of Dianne Sawaya. We believe that who you should file your claim against should be the least of your worries right now, and we can make sure it is. We want you to focus on getting better while we take care of everything else.
What if I slipped on ice?
In the state of Colorado snow and ice are common causes of slip and fall accidents. When you slip and fall on the ice, you may or may not be entitled to file a slip and fall premises liability accident claim. If you fall on the ice, it is extremely important that you contact an attorney as quickly as possible. We can collect photo evidence at the scene, documenting that ice or snow was a factor in your fall before it melts and the environment changes. When you contact The Law Offices of Dianne Sawaya, we will also contact witnesses who saw you fall, and we can help you receive the medical care you need as well. If you have slipped on ice, resulting in injuries, please contact the experienced premises liability attorneys at The Law Offices of Dianne Sawaya. We want to ensure you fully recover from your fall; we will fight for you as if you were our family.
Where do most slip and fall injuries occur?
While a slip and fall accident can happen anytime, virtually anywhere, on any public or private property, there are certain areas where slip and falls are more likely to occur. These areas include:
- Grocery stores;
- Malls;
- Public restrooms;
- Nightclubs;
- Restaurants;
- Escalators, stairs, and moving sidewalks;
- Curbs and sidewalks;
- Hotels and motels, and
- Slippery areas around swimming pools.
Regardless of where you suffered your slip and fall injury, if your accident was the result of negligence, the property owner could be liable. When a person enters a public place, he or she has the right to be advised of any hazards which are currently present. No matter where you fell, it can be helpful to consult with The Law Offices of Dianne Sawaya. We will comprehensively evaluate the circumstances of your slip and fall, carefully laying out your future options.
What are some of the specific factors involved in a slip and fall injury?
Just as there are many different places where a slip and fall can occur, there are many factors which could be present in a slip and fall injury, including:
- Spilled liquids which should reasonably have been removed, cleaned up, or marked with a hazard sign;
- A lack of warning signs for an existing hazard, particularly in entrances which could be rain or snow-covered;
- Items inside a store or other public area which have been stacked to dangerous heights, or are positioned within the normal walkway;
- Freshly mopped floors with no hazard or warning sign;
- Areas which are poorly lit, making it difficult to see changes in floor heights or any other potential hazards;
- Electrical cords or other wires stretched across walkways;
- Defects in the pavement, parking lot or sidewalk;
- Staircases which are particularly narrow, have no handrails, or are poorly lit;
- Differences in floor heights, with no warning signs, or
- Any uneven surface.
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My car accident injury case was a very complicated case and they fought to win my case day in and day out. It was a very long 4 year battle but successful. Everyone that handled my case was so kind, understanding, and hard working.
How much is my slip and fall claim worth?
When people suffer a slip and fall and are hit with medical expenses and/or lost wages, it is reasonable to wonder how much they can potentially recover. Unfortunately, without conducting a thorough assessment of the facts surrounding your slip and fall as well as the extent of your injuries, that question can be difficult to answer. Generally speaking, the value of your slip and fall claim may be constantly changing. This means that as your medical bills and lost wages continue to increase, the worth of your claim will also increase. You may be entitled to compensation for your injuries, including past, present, and future medical expenses. If your slip and fall accident left you unable to return to work—whether for a short period of time or for a very long time—you may be entitled to recover lost wages, past, present, and future. You may also be entitled to compensation for pain and suffering. When you speak to a highly experienced legal professional from The Law Offices of Dianne Sawaya, we will conduct a free case consultation, answer your questions, and explain the important details related to the value of your claim.
Getting the Help You Need Following Your Colorado Slip and Fall
At The Law Offices of Dianne Sawaya, we know that your slip and fall situation is unique, requiring highly individualized attention. Because of this, our team—from paralegals to our most experienced personal injury attorneys—will provide personal attention through each and every aspect of your slip and fall injury experience. If you or a loved one has been hurt in a slip and fall accident, contact an experienced premises liability lawyer from The Law Offices of Dianne Sawaya. You may be entitled to payment for medical expenses and other out-of-pocket expenses, as well as damages for pain and suffering, physical or mental disability, lost wages, loss of future income, diminished quality of life, and more. Dianne Sawaya is smart, aggressive and compassionate—Contact The Law Offices of Dianne Sawaya today.