The seriousness of a slip and fall injury is something that should never be taken lightly. The consequences that can result from falling on a hard surface may lead to traumatic head injuries, broken bones, or even death. The medical bills you could suffer after a fall can be staggeringly high, and the ensuing trauma can alter your life. If a property owner has knowingly ignored a hazardous surface area and you or a loved one has been affected due to their negligence, a skilled injury attorney could help you seek compensation. The Covington slip and fall lawyers at O'Connor, Acciani and Levy will provide you with a free consultation to discuss your legal options.
SLIP AND FALL CASE BASICS
Slip and fall cases are very common and can occur anywhere. That is why it can be so dangerous. While many may think that slip and fall accidents happen most often on wet surfaces, like a swimming pool deck, the possibility that you could be injured just by walking down the street or in a restaurant due to someone else's negligence is an all too real scenario. These types of cases fall in to the broader legal concept of “premises liability.” This means that it is the property owner's responsibility to ensure yours and everyone else’s safety when on their property or place of business. Kentucky's statute of limitations declares that a lawyer must file a personal injury claim in Covington for a slip and fall injury within one year of the incident. If you do not take action within this time frame, you lose your opportunity to file a claim. This is why it is vital that you speak with our attorneys immediately after an accident. If you or a loved one has fallen and experienced any sort of injury because of someone else’s lack of concern for your well-being, do not hesitate to contact O'Connor, Acciani and Levy for a free consultation to see if you have a case.ELEMENTS OF A SLIP AND FALL CASE
According to Kentucky state law, if you have suffered from injuries after slipping or falling on someone's property, your actions cannot have contributed to the accident. In order for your slip and fall case to be considered, you have to prove that the fault lay entirely with the property owner. This means that you must not have been trespassing on the property at the time of the accident. Property owners have a legal obligation to provide a safe environment for invited guests, which includes guests in a home or customers in a store, not those who are on a property illegally. When considering filing a slip and fall lawsuit, you and your attorney must demonstrate that the property owner failed to provide a safe environment. This will require that you prove that:- Your accident was the result of a dangerous condition on the property.
- The property owner knew or should have known about the dangerous condition.
- The property owner had ample time to address and fix the dangerous condition.
- The dangerous condition directly led to your injuries.
COMMON CAUSES OF FALLING ACCIDENTS
Store and property owners do not want one of these cases brought against them. Most will do everything possible to make sure the safety of you and your loved ones is guaranteed while under their watch. But there are some who choose not to care if their establishment is safe. If you fall victim to a hazardous environment, ask yourself if any of these signs were present during the time of your injury:- Was there any merchandise or belongings of the property owner exposed in an unsafe manner?
- Did the floor have any sort of liquids or slippery substances on it?
- If there were any liquids exposed on the floor, was it properly marked and sectioned off from the public path?
- Did the area surrounding the incident that caused your injury have proper lighting, railing or safety measures put in place?
