January 31, 2022
Slip and Fall Lawyer
Was Negligence Involved?
To hold someone accountable for your injury, the party has to have been negligent. When you fall on a person or company’s property, you have to prove that the owner did something wrong that caused your injury. When you slip and fall on someone else’s property, he or she is not automatically liable. There are conditions that your fall has to meet.
For example, if the sidewalk you walked on was in perfect condition and tripped out of clumsiness or inattention, the owner might not be held responsible. However, if you trip on the broken concrete and sprain your ankle, the owner may have been negligent for not fixing the sidewalk.
Who Is Responsible?
If you fall in front of someone’s house, there is a chance that he or she owns the sidewalk. Under some circumstances, he or she could be liable for your injury. When you file a claim, the insurance company will consider whether or not the owner performed regular maintenance on the sidewalk and whether or not he or she should have been aware of the hazards. The key question is whether or not he or she should have taken steps to assure pedestrian safety. If the homeowner is responsible, you will file your claim against the individual or his or her insurance company.
If the government owns the sidewalk, your local ordinances will determine whether you can file a claim. In some cases, the city is responsible for the upkeep of all sidewalks. If the government was supposed to repair the sidewalk, you might file your claim against the city.
What Can You Do Next?
After receiving medical care, your first order of business should be to speak with a slip and fall lawyer. When it comes to sidewalk injuries, determining fault can be complex. You may not be familiar with all of your city’s local ordinances, but your lawyer may have that information readily available. He or she can tell you whether you have a case and help determine the settlement you should demand. Additionally, if the claim has to go to court, you have a lawyer to guide you through the process.
Falling on a sidewalk can result in serious injuries. If you have medical bills, lost wages or any other monetary damage due to a fall on a poorly maintained sidewalk, then you could be entitled to compensation. Most slip-and-fall lawyers will offer a free consultation, so contact one now.