Dothan Slip & Fall Accident Law Firm

While slip and fall accidents may often seem insignificant, they cause serious injuries every year and are a leading cause of death in older Americans. Although there are a number of different things that can cause a slip and fall, many of these accidents and injuries are preventable and are the result of a dangerous or hazardous condition. At the law offices of M. Adam Jones & Associates, our Alabama slip and fall accident lawyers can help you to understand your options if you’ve experienced a slip and fall accident, and we can work with you to recover the compensation that you deserve.

Injuries Resulting from a Slip and Fall

While it’s true that most slip and fall accidents lead to minor injuries like bruising or soreness, some slip and fall accidents can result in very severe injuries. The severity of the accident depends on many factors, including: the victim’s age and health; the surface on which the fall occurs; the force involved in the fall; and the angle of the fall. While older adults are most at risk for serious injuries when a slip and fall occurs, anyone may be severely harmed in a slip and fall accident. Potential injuries that could result from a slip and fall include:

• Head and traumatic brain injuries;
• Spinal cord injuries;
• Back and neck injuries;
• Soft tissue injuries, including sprains and strains;
• Internal injuries;
• Bone fracture injuries; and
• Lacerations and severe bruises.

When these injuries result, the injured party may also suffer from psychological injuries as a result of the accident, including complications like depression, anxiety, or even post-traumatic stress disorder. This psychological harm is often the result of the injured person experiencing serious pain and disability, preventing them from being able to work and earn an income, participate in much-loved activities, or even perform self-care.

What Causes Slip and Fall Accidents?

Slip and fall accidents are often the result of a person unexpectedly encountering a dangerous condition or hazard on a property. Examples of hazards that can cause a slip and fall include:

• Torn or frayed carpet;
• Broken stairs;
• Defective elevators or escalators;
• Spills;
• Debris in walkway;
• Uneven walking surfaces;
• Cracked or broken sidewalk;
• Potholes and other walking hazards;
• Lack of handrails

While not all slip and falls are the fault of the property owner—indeed, things like one’s own careless or clumsiness, wearing improper footwear, etc. can certainly contribute to slip and falls—many slip and falls occur because of hazardous conditions. In regard to the elderly, many older adults experience falls because of a lack of proper care and assistance in a nursing home or other long-term care setting. For example, a nursing home resident may fall trying to get to the bathroom on their own because their nurse is unavailable.

Your Rights after a Slip and Fall

If you are harmed in a slip and fall accident that occurs on a property owned by someone else, you have rights. Indeed, the state of Alabama allows you to bring forth a personal injury suit under the legal theory of premises liability and landowner negligence. The theory holds that a property owner owes a duty of care to those who enter the property lawfully; that duty is to maintain the property in a safe and hazard-free condition, and to repair any known hazards within a reasonable amount of time. The same duty is not owed to trespassers – the only duty that a property owner has to trespassers is to refrain from causing them willful or wanton harm.

If you can prove that:

1. A dangerous condition existed on the property owner’s property;
2. The property owner knew of the condition or should have known of the condition;
3. The property owner failed to repair the condition in a reasonable amount of time; and
4. Your slip and fall accident (and related injuries) would not have occurred but for said failure, you can hold the property owner liable for the full extent of your damages.

Damages that you may be able to recover in a slip and fall accident claim include compensation for pain, suffering, emotional distress, lost wages, and past and future medical expenses.

How Can a Slip and Fall Lawyer Help You Recover the Damages You Deserve

Working with an experienced Alabama slip and fall injury attorney, if you have been harmed on another’s property, is a wise idea; a slip and fall injury attorney works on a contingency fee basis, which means that you will not owe any fees unless you receive a settlement. This keeps legal fees affordable for everyone.

A slip and fall injury lawyer will be responsible for investigating your claim to gather the evidence necessary to prove the elements of a premises liability suit listed above. In addition to this, an attorney will also work with experts to determine the value of your claim and how much you should seek in damages from the responsible party. An attorney can also help to refute any allegations that you were to blame for your injury and negotiate a fair settlement.

Take Action Now

A personal injury claim in Alabama must be filed within two years of the date of the injury, which means that it is important you reach out to an attorney as soon as possible. Building a case and gathering evidence takes time, so make sure to begin the process as soon as possible.

Our Alabama Slip and Fall Lawyers Will Fight for You

Slip and fall accidents can be very serious. If you are harmed in a slip and fall in Alabama, our legal team at M. Adam Jones & Associates can fight for you. To learn more about your legal rights and how we can help, please call us today at (334) 699-5599 or send us a message describing your case.

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