Did you slip and fall on someone else’s property in Phoenix? Are you struggling with pain and expensive medical bills? If so, Triumph Law Group can take your case and represent you in a slip-and-fall claim. Our Phoenix slip-and-fall lawyers have decades of combined experience, and we can handle all the legal work in your case. You can concentrate on healing while we handle the legal details, and you don’t owe us any fees unless you recover compensation. Call 602-595-5559 now or complete our contact form for a free case evaluation.
Why You Need a Phoenix Slip-and-Fall Attorney
A slip-and-fall accident can affect your life in many ways, from painful injuries and significant lost income to expensive medical bills and a sharp drop in your quality of life. You’ll need airtight evidence and compelling legal arguments to recover fair compensation for these losses. Insurance companies have substantial resources to contest your claim, and they may delay your case to pressure you into accepting an unfair settlement.
A Phoenix slip-and-fall lawyer is your best ally in your fight for justice and fair compensation. Your slip-and-fall attorney can investigate the incident to identify the liable parties, document your injuries, submit a claim on your behalf, and represent you during settlement negotiations with the insurance companies. If necessary, your attorney can also take your case to court and present arguments to a judge or jury.
Without help from an attorney, you must do all these steps yourself, which may not be feasible depending on your injuries. You might also not understand your claim’s full value, which could allow the insurance companies to take advantage of you. Hiring a Phoenix slip-and-fall lawyer gives you the best chance of recovering the resources you need to rebuild your life.
Who’s Liable for a Phoenix Slip-and-Fall Accident?
The person or company that owns a property is typically liable for any slip-and-fall accidents on the ground. However, there are cases where a property manager, third-party maintenance provider, or another party is liable for these accidents.
The key to identifying who’s liable for your slip-and-fall injuries is to determine whose failure to maintain the property caused the accident. For example, if you slipped and fell on a broken sidewalk, the property owner could be liable because they failed to address the issue. If you slipped and fell on a wet floor inside an office building, the property owner or the company hired to maintain the floors might be liable.
One other thing to consider is that the level of care a property owner or business owes you depends on why you’re visiting. If you’re visiting a business or someone hires you to work on a property, the property owner must warn you of known hazards and inspect the grounds regularly for potential dangers. On the other hand, the law doesn’t give you the same protections when you visit someone’s home for a social reason. In these cases, the property owner must warn you of known hazards but doesn’t have to inspect the premises.
Finally, you generally can’t recover compensation for injuries sustained while trespassing on someone’s property. For adults, the only exception to this rule is if the property owner intentionally or willfully caused your injuries. Young children get more leeway for injuries sustained while trespassing, as they may not be able to read warning signs or grasp the danger of trespassing on someone else’s property.
Common Causes of Phoenix Slip-and-Fall Incidents
Some common causes of slip-and-fall accidents in Phoenix include:
- Wet or slippery floors – Water, spilled drinks or other liquids, certain cleaning products, and other slippery substances can create a slip-and-fall hazard on a floor if property owners or maintenance workers don’t address these dangers.
- Cluttered floors – Boxes, stray cords, and other debris on a cluttered floor or hallway can cause someone to lose their balance and fall.
- Broken staircases or railing – Worn steps, busted handrails, wet surfaces, and other hazards on staircases can cause visitors to fall and land hard, potentially leading to severe injuries.
- Precipitation on sidewalks, entryways, parking lots, or parking garages – Rain, snow, ice, and other weather hazards can cause people to lose their balance and fall as they walk in areas exposed to the elements.
- Poor lighting – A lack of proper lighting in hallways, staircases, or other areas can prevent guests from seeing obstacles or hazards in their path.
- Loose or worn rugs and mats – A loose rug or mat can move suddenly when someone steps on it, causing them to lose their balance. Similarly, a worn or uneven rug can cause someone to lose their balance if their foot catches on the material.
Common Injuries from Phoenix Slip-and-Fall Accidents
A hard fall can cause many severe injuries, including:
- Traumatic brain injuries – Anyone who falls and lands hard on their head risks sustaining a concussion or other traumatic brain injury. In some cases, these injuries can be fatal or have long-term consequences if the victim doesn’t receive immediate medical attention.
- Spinal cord injuries – Someone who falls and lands hard on their back or side may sustain damage to their spinal cord. In severe cases, these injuries can cause paralysis or other long-term health effects.
- Broken bones – A hard fall can break someone’s bones if they land at an awkward angle or on part of their body. Older adults and young children are more likely to sustain these injuries due to their weakened or undeveloped bones.
- Strains, sprains, and other soft-tissue injuries – People involved in slip-and-fall accidents may sprain their wrists, shoulders, or other body parts by trying to catch themselves while following or landing at a bad angle.
What To Do After a Slip-and-Fall in Phoenix
The most important thing to do after a slip-and-fall accident is to seek immediate medical attention so a doctor can diagnose and document your injuries. Here are a few actions to take before and after seeing a doctor to protect your legal rights:
- Document the scene – If your injuries allow, take a minute before seeking medical attention to document the accident scene. Take pictures of the area where you fell, the surrounding environment, and any hazards you notice. This visual evidence can help you make a stronger case for compensation.
- Write down eyewitness contact information – If anyone else saw you fall, ask them for their name, phone number, and other contact information. Their perspective can help persuade an insurer that you didn’t cause the fall.
- Don’t discuss your case – Avoid talking about your injuries and what may have caused them with anyone other than your lawyer. An insurance company might use your own words against you in your claim. Be particularly careful about your social media posts, as insurance companies can easily find them.
- Hire a lawyer – Contacting a Phoenix slip-and-fall lawyer right away gives them more time to document the scene before critical evidence disappears or deteriorates. Hiring an attorney immediately also means they can start your claim as soon as possible and protect your rights during any interactions with the insurance companies.
Compensation in Phoenix Slip-and-Fall Claims
Depending on your injuries and other factors, your Phoenix slip-and-fall claim could include compensation for:
- Current and future medical expenses
- Lost income and reduced future earnings
- Pain and suffering
- Emotional distress
- Damaged personal property (if applicable)
Contact Our Phoenix Slip-and-Fall Lawyers Now
You generally have two years from when you fell to file a slip-and-fall lawsuit, so it’s crucial to contact a personal injury lawyer in Phoenix immediately. Let us get started on your case before memories fade or the location where you were injured repairs the hazard that harmed you. Call Triumph Law Group now for a free consultation, or you can reach out online.
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