Home » Overland Park Personal Injury Lawyers » Overland Park Slip and Fall Lawyers

Slip and fall accidents are the second leading cause of injury in the country. Not only are slip and fall accidents common, they can happen just about anywhere. Generally, most people who lose their footing or balance survive with minor physical injury. Unfortunately, some are left with devastating harm. For example, falling at a sharp angle or striking a hard surface can cause a serious skull fracture or traumatic brain injury. To help navigate this unfortunate experience, contact our Overland Park slip and fall lawyers today.

A severe injury from a slip and fall accident can lead to lost income and costly medical bills. If you or a loved one was injured because someone did not properly maintain a property or failed to warn you of a known dangerous condition, you need Joseph, Hollander & Craft’s Overland Park slip and fall lawyers. Contact us today for your free consultation.

Slip and Fall Causes Explained by Our Overland Park Slip and Fall Lawyers

There are many different conditions that can result in a slip and fall accident. Some of the more common types of negligent behavior that JHC’s Overland Park slip and fall attorneys see include failure to repair damaged or uneven surfaces, failure to manage or warn of slippery surfaces, and failure to provide proper lighting.

Damaged or Uneven Surfaces

A common cause of slip and fall accidents, such hazardous conditions can include broken pavement, carpet or rugs with tears, floors with holes or dips, items on a floor creating a dangerous obstacle or unsecured steps and stairs.

Slippery Surfaces

These hazards are created by a spill on the floor of a factory, grocery store, place of business, or any place visitors may be present. Property owners and property managers have a responsibility to make certain that the aisles, floors, and public areas of their properties are clear of unreasonable dangers by regularly monitoring for spills and other hazardous conditions and promptly resolving any problems found.

Another area where slippery surfaces can cause injury is the entryway to a business or structure. This is especially true during inclement weather when people have wet shoes or are carrying umbrellas that are dripping water. Even though a property owner or property manager cannot control the weather, the owner or manager should be aware that it is raining or snowing and that these conditions can create a slip and fall hazard. If they fail to lessen the risk by such measures as placing a warning sign or providing non-slip rugs, they could be held responsible for any injuries.

Inadequate lighting

Sometimes, a normally safe condition becomes a hazard because the area is not properly lit. It is quite easy for people to lose footing on stairs or trip over an object if they are unable to properly see their surroundings. A property owner or property manager has an obligation to ensure that areas open to visitors and the public are adequately lit to avoid potential slip and fall accidents.

How Our Overland Park Slip and Fall Lawyers Can Prove a Slip and Fall Claim

In order to have a successful slip and fall claim, there are two important elements that need to be proven: liability (negligence) and damages.

The first element, liability, focuses on the circumstances surrounding the slip and fall. It is necessary to show that the property owner or manager was negligent and that the negligent behavior was a direct cause of the injuries sustained in the slip and fall. This can be accomplished by asking certain questions about the accident:

• How did the fall take place? This covers details such as what the victim was doing, where they were going, and why they were at the location.
• What was the mechanism of the slip and fall? Did the victim miss a step on the stairs, trip on debris on the floor, slip on a slick surface, or trip over an uneven surface?
• Did the victim contribute to the slip and fall? This question seeks information about the shoes that were worn at the time of the incident, any distraction that impaired the ability to properly pay attention, or perhaps the victim was carrying something that blocked their ability to see where they were going.
  The responses to questions such as these and other additional facts of the case can all affect the success of a claim for damages after a slip and fall accident.

The second element, damages, focuses on the result of the fall. It is necessary to show that a fall caused harm with economic consequences—an injury for which you incurred medical bills for treatment and rehabilitation or that caused you to miss work and lose wages.

Contact Our Overland Park Slip and Fall Lawyers at JHC

If you have been injured as a result of a slip and fall, make sure you get the legal help you need to recover the financial compensation you are owed. An initial consultation with us does not cost anything, and we will not charge attorneys’ fees unless and until we recover money for you. Call or contact JHC’s Overland Park slip and fall lawyers at (913) 948-9490 or fill out our online form.

FAQs

What kind of evidence should I gather after a slip and fall injury?

If you have been injured as the result of a slip and fall accident, the first and most important thing to do is seek medical treatment for your injuries. It is vital that you follow any treatment plan recommended by a medical professional to recover from your injuries.

In addition to keeping documents and information pertaining to medical care received for your injuries, the following evidence can be very helpful in determining who is liable for your slip and fall:

• Incident reports: If police were called to the scene of the slip and fall, obtaining a copy of the report can be helpful. If you know the report number, a personal injury attorney can get a copy of the report for you.
• Management records: It is important to report the slip and fall to the owner or manager of the property where the accident took place. The owner or manager should conduct an internal investigation into the incident and put findings into a report. Having a copy of this report can also be important to filing a claim.
• Eyewitness testimony: If there were any witnesses to the slip and fall accident, you should try to get their names and phone numbers. A personal injury attorney can use this information to contact the witnesses in order to obtain more information regarding the situation that caused the slip and fall.
• Photographs: Pictures or video that show the unsafe condition at the property can be crucial to a successful claim for damages.

Am I entitled to compensation if I slip and fall at a store?

The people in charge of the store are responsible for maintaining a safe environment for customers. If those people have notice of a dangerous or slippery condition that causes you to fall and incur injuries, you may have a claim for monetary damages.