Slip and Fall Lawyer Serving Caddo Mills, TX

Property owners are in charge of keeping their premises maintained and safe so as to avoid injury. This includes maintaining surfaces so guests do not slip and fall while on the property. When they fail to prevent or fix slippery or damaged flooring, guests can be injured and hold the property owner responsible for their negligence. To understand your rights in these cases and how to move forward, contact a slip and fall lawyer serving Caddo Mills, TX for guidance. 

Smith & Lee acts quickly and works diligently to secure justice when you’ve suffered a slip and fall accident that could have been prevented. A Caddo Mills personal injury Lawyer from our team makes sure that you have a strong case that gets results so you can move forward and rebuild your life.

Our team has extensive experience navigating the nuances of these cases and is equipped to hold at-fault parties accountable. When you need a legal advocate, we are here and ready to fight for you.  For a free case review, contact our law firm online. You can also call us at (972) 771-2579.

Smith & Lee Are Advocates After a Slip, Trip, and Fall Accidents

Slip and fall accidents can be complex, especially when property owners avoid taking responsibility for their actions. This is when it helps to hire an experienced and knowledgeable slip and fall attorney from Smith & Lee.

We take the time to listen to you and answer your questions about your case so we can develop a strong case designed to get results. We investigate the accident and look into the actions of the property owner as we gather evidence to demonstrate their negligence in maintaining safety. 

Our team prepares for multiple possibilities as we choose and tailor the strategies we will use in your case. We also put our finely-tuned negotiation skills to work so that you are not taken advantage of and can receive the compensation you deserve. From start to finish, we stay beside you and manage all aspects of your case so you can remain focused on your recovery. 

Poor Conditions Contribute to Slip and Fall Accidents in Caddo Mills

According to the National Safety Council (NSC), 21% of all preventable deaths are caused by falls, and it is the second leading cause of these deaths. The most recent data reports 47,026 deaths over the course of a year. Additionally, the National Floor Safety Institute (NFSI) estimates that approximately 8 million people are treated for slip and fall injuries annually, with 95% of these injuries contributing to hip fractures. 

These dangerous accidents can happen quickly when a potential hazard is not remedied. One minute you could be walking through a grocery store, and the next you could slip on spilled water and hit your head because a sign wasn’t out warning of danger.

Common Causes of Slip, Trip, and Fall Accidents

Property owners are responsible for making sure that all flooring surfaces, stairs, and walkways are properly maintained, and that hazards are quickly remedied or warned about. Below is a closer look at the causes that contribute to these accidents:  

Slippery Surfaces: Slippery surfaces are the most common culprit behind slip and fall accidents. This can include wet surfaces,  spilled liquids, and areas affected by precipitation. 

  • Broken or Torn Surfaces: Torn carpeting, broken stairs and hand railings, and uneven floors can cause individuals to trip and fall on areas that stick out or are unstable. 
  • Poor Lighting: Properties that have poor lighting can expose visitors to risk. When they cannot see their surroundings, visitors cannot take measures to avoid potential surface dangers. 
  • Negligent Security: When security measures are lax or non-existent, guests may be unaware of dangers around them that could result in a slip, trip, or fall accident. 

Each of these factors poses serious risks to guests and increases the likelihood of an accident and injury. During an accident claim, a victim will need to provide evidence of which of these elements contributed to their slip and fall. 

Places Where Slip and Fall Accidents May Occur Around Caddo Mills

Slip and fall accidents can happen anywhere and turn an otherwise normal day into a nightmare. For example, when walking into your local Bella’s Market or nearby H-E-B store, a spilled gallon of milk could result in injury. Similarly, you could be at risk of tripping on rumpled carpeting while going out to dinner at your favorite restaurant. These examples show how easily accidents can occur if not fixed. 

Sidewalks throughout Hunt County can also contribute to slip and fall accidents if the sidewalks are in disrepair. However, in these situations, fault may lie with municipalities and other government entities if they do not fix a known hazard to the public. In order to hold them responsible, though, specific criteria must be met. 

Slip and Fall Accidents Cause a Variety of Injuries

Slip, trip, and fall injuries can cause individuals serious harm, especially if heights are involved. While some may suffer minor injuries that may recover in a matter of weeks, others can suffer catastrophic injuries or even death. These types of injuries can profoundly affect victims, as well as their families.  

Some common injuries sustained in these slip and fall accidents include:

  • Muscle sprains, strains, and other soft tissue injuries
  • Lacerations
  • Broken bones
  • Concussions and traumatic brain injuries
  • Neck injuries 
  • Spinal injuries 
  • Hip and pelvic injuries
  • Disabilities
  • Catastrophic injuries
  • Fatal injuries 

See a Doctor After a Major Slip, Trip, or Fall

You should see a medical professional as soon as possible after a slip and fall accident. These conditions can cause serious complications, some of which may not be evident right away. The sooner that you see a doctor, the better your overall outlook will likely be. They can treat your injuries and develop a plan for your recovery. It’s important to keep records of all your treatments and expenses related to your care to demonstrate the extent of your injuries in a claim. 

Slip and fall injuries can also have lasting effects beyond the initial injury itself. Chronic pain is not uncommon and can disrupt your life, making everyday tasks difficult. If you suffered a brain or spine injury, then you may face additional conditions that affect functions and mobility. These challenges may require extensive medical care and management for a limited period of time or indefinitely. 

Guests are Owed Different Levels of Care by Property Owners

While property owners are obligated to make sure that guests do not slip and fall on their premises, they owe different groups of people different levels of care. This also means that guests have different rights to the level of safety they can expect, as well as their rights in legal matters. The three levels of care that apply to slip and fall accidents are invitees, licensees, and trespassers. 

Invitee

Invitees are guests who are welcomed onto a property for a mutually beneficial purpose. Common examples of this are grocery stores, restaurants, and so forth. Property owners owe these guests the highest duty of care and safety while they are on the premises. 

Licensee

Licensees are guests who are on a property in a specific and limited capacity at the invitation of the property owner. Delivery drivers, hunters, and personal guests are examples of licensees. Property owners owe these individuals a lesser degree of care. Licensees also have greater responsibility for ensuring their own safety.

Trespasser

Trespassers are guests who are on another party’s property without permission. Property owners are generally not responsible for slip and fall injuries that befall these individuals. However, if a trespasser was injured after the property owner was aware of their presence, or if the trespasser is a child, then the property owner may be liable to an extent.

Lawyers Must Establish Negligence During a Slip and Fall Claim

Hunt County slip and fall lawyers hold property owners accountable when they exhibit negligence that results in an accident. The foundation of a slip and fall claim is that a property owner was aware of dangerous conditions, or should have reasonably known about the risk to guests. While they may claim that the danger was open and obvious, you can still hold them liable if you have sufficient evidence to demonstrate that the accident was the result of negligence.

Proving negligence involves showing the following parts:

  • Duty of Care: The property owner had an obligation to ensure safety as applicable by premises liability laws, and was supposed to make sure that surfaces were not hazardous. 
  • Breach of Duty: The property owner failed to take the appropriate steps to fix a known hazard or one they should have been aware of, thereby disregarding their duty of care. 
  • Causation: The slip and fall accident you suffered was the direct cause of the property owner’s neglectful actions 
  • Damages: Liable property owners are required to pay for the losses you sustained in the accident.

Be sure to keep thorough records after your accident so you have sufficient evidence to meet these requirements and establish the property owner’s negligence. Only after demonstrating this can you recover compensation for your losses.

Compensation After a Serious Slip and Fall Accident 

Slip and fall accidents can become quite costly by the time all of your losses are added up. You may also suffer long-term repercussions to your life that can force you to pivot. Compensation ensures that you have support as you face what life may look like following a slip and fall accident. Lawyers can walk you through what damages you can recover.

The following is a list of losses that may be included in a settlement, depending on your circumstances: 

  • Cost of medical care, surgery, and rehabilitation
  • Medical equipment and accommodations for home or vehicle
  • Lost wages
  • Lost earning capacity
  • Costs to repair or replace personal belongings
  • Funeral and burial expenses for fatal accidents
  • Reduced quality of life  and enjoyment
  • Pain and suffering
  • Anxiety, depression, insomnia, and PTSD symptoms
  • Loss of consortium or companionship

Slip and fall attorneys in Hunt County work with you to calculate the value of your injuries and losses so you are able to pursue a settlement that will sufficiently cover your losses. The purpose of damages is to help you recover and regain a state of wholeness to the best extent possible.

When you work with our lawyers at Smith & Lee, we will identify all losses and present them in a demand letter to the insurance company so you do not lose valuable compensation. It also makes sure that at-fault parties pay you what you deserve. 

Two-Year Deadline to File a Slip and Fall Accident Claim in Texas

The window for filing a slip and fall accident claim is generally two years from the time of the accident, per Texas Civil Practice and Remedies Code § 16.003. The purpose of this time restriction is to ensure cases are resolved as swiftly as possible and that evidence is still viable.

Once the statute of limitations expires, legal action is prohibited, and you could bear the weight of your expenses if you have not resolved your claim. 

It is also important to be aware that if your slip and fall claim is with a government entity, the process looks a little different. While you still have two years to file your claim, you must notify the applicable government entity of the accident within six months of the accident. However, if you don’t provide notice, you could lose the opportunity to submit your claim. 

Contact Our Slip and Fall Attorneys Near Caddo Mills, TX

The aftermath of a slip and fall accident can feel overwhelming, and Smith & Lee is here to provide clarity and stability during this difficult time. We work diligently to hold parties responsible for their role in causing you harm. To learn more about your rights and what actions may be available to you, contact our law firm online. You can also call our slip and fall lawyers near Caddo Mills at (972) 771-2579.