Businesses and public places owe a legal duty of care to keep their premises safe for visitors. This duty encompasses property owners, managers, and employees. If a visitor of a property experiences a slip and fall there, the liable party must pay for damages resulting from the visitor’s fall-related injuries and losses.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reports that 20 percent of falls result in severe injuries, including broken bones or a head injury. If you have suffered an injury in a slip and fall accident in El Paso, your ability to recover compensation requires more than your ability to show your medical bills to a court.
An El Paso slip and fall injury lawyer from Ben Crump Law, PLLC can represent you and fight for the compensation you deserve. Call us today at (855) 933-4005 for a free consultation.
Common Causes of Slip and Fall Accidents
Even though the law says businesses are responsible for your safety when you enter their properties, some property owners fail to uphold this duty. Property owners and managers must be vigilant about any hazard that can threaten the safety of visitors.
Even the most seemingly benign issues can present the risk of a slip and fall accident. Causes of slip and fall accidents include:
- Ice, snow, and other weather-related problems
- Broken stairs, steps, and handrails
- Clutter on the floor
- Exposed cords and wires
- Inadequate lighting
- Irregular walking surfaces
- Cracked sidewalks
- Floor mats and runners
- Loose tiles or carpeting
- Stepping stools and ladders
- Poorly draining pipes
- Spills on floor
When a property owner notices one of the above problems, they should, by law, remedy the issue before it causes an accident. If they cannot resolve the problem right away, they should take reasonable measures to block off the hazardous area or post warning signs to alert visitors of the danger.
For a free legal consultation with a slip and fall injury lawyer serving El Paso, call (855) 933-4005
Rules of Liability for Property Owners
Under the rules of premises liability laws, in order for the victim of a slip and fall to recover compensation from a property owner, the following conditions must be met:
- The victim lawfully occupied the property at the time of their slip and fall.
- The property owner knew about the slip and fall hazard—or they should have known about it.
- Despite their awareness of the hazard, the property owner failed to resolve the problem and/or to adequately warn visitors of its existence.
- The property owner’s negligence caused the victim to slip and fall, resulting in their suffering an injury.
You should know that even a trespasser can recover damages from a property owner after a slip and fall if the owner knew of the trespasser’s presence and failed to do anything about it.
Similarly, if the property in question contains some form of enticement for trespassing—for example, a neighbor’s swimming pool might attract children to trespass—and the owner does not take reasonable steps to block access, a court could hold them liable for injuries befalling a trespasser.
El Paso Slip and Fall Injury Lawyer Near Me (855) 933-4005
Investigating Your Slip and Fall Accident
When you hire an El Paso slip and fall injury lawyer at Ben Crump Law, PLLC to represent you in your pursuit of compensation after a slip and fall, our legal team will initiate an investigation into the matter. We will aim in this investigation to uncover evidence that supports your claim that the property owner’s negligence caused your slip and fall and that the accident resulted in your suffering personal injury, as well as financial losses and other damages.
In our investigative efforts, we can:
- Go to the scene of your slip and fall accident
- Talk to witnesses
- Review photos and surveillance video footage, where available
- Obtain a copy of the facility accident report
- Gather copies of the facility’s safety records
- Collect all your injury-related medical records
- Seek wage statements from your employer
We will also seek the opinions of professionals who can report on how and to what extent your injuries will impact your future medical condition, employability, mental/emotional state, and financial welfare.
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Recoverable Damages in a Slip and Fall
Every slip and fall accident bears unique characteristics that distinguish it from other cases, no matter how similar. For this reason, we cannot tell you here the value of your case. However, you should know that the following types of damages often associate with a slip and fall accident cases:
- Medical treatment costs (past and future)
- Hospitalization
- Emergency transportation
- Physical therapy/rehab
- Prescription medicines
- Home modifications
- Mobility devices
- Lost wages and benefits
- Diminished future potential earnings
- Pain and suffering
- Diminished quality of life
If your loved one died from injuries they suffered in a slip and fall accident, you might consider pursuing a wrongful death action against the property owner. The legal team at Ben Crump Law, PLLC can explain your legal rights in this regard and represent your right to recover what you deserve. Get in touch with our offices today to learn more about how an El Paso slip and fall injury lawyer can help you figure out which awards to pursue.
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Statute of Limitations
Texas Civil Practice and Remedies Code § 16.003 requires that victims of slip and fall accidents, as well as other types of personal injuries, to file their legal claims within a certain period after their injuries occur. This is referred to within the Texas statute as the state’s statute of limitations. In Texas, you have a two-year window in which you can file a lawsuit against the property owner in a slip and fall case.
Keep in mind, too, that if your accident involves a government entity, you will have to comply with a separate set of rules and deadlines that ultimately shorten the amount of time you have to file a lawsuit.
Our El Paso Slip and Fall Accident Lawyer Can Help You Get the Compensation You Deserve
When you hire Ben Crump Law, PLLC to handle your slip and fall accident, we can help you throughout the legal process and answer any questions you may have regarding your case. Call us today for your free consultation at (855) 933-4005.
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