Slip-and-fall accidents often result in serious injuries, leaving victims with mounting medical expenses and emotional distress. These accidents are common and can cause serious injuries such as fractures, head injuries, or chronic back pain.
Dudley DeBosier is committed to helping victims of slip-and-fall accidents in Lafayette pursue justice and obtain fair compensation. If you’ve suffered a slip-and-fall accident, reach out to us for the help you deserve today.
What Is a Slip-and-Fall Accident?
A slip-and-fall accident is when a person slips, trips, or falls due to a hazardous condition on someone else’s property — that’s when it becomes a legal matter. These accidents can happen anywhere — whether at a local business, on a public sidewalk, or even in someone’s home.
Common causes of slip-and-fall accidents include:
- Wet or Slippery Floors: Water, oil, or cleaning solutions left on floors can make them slippery. This is particularly common in grocery stores, restaurants, or public restrooms.
- Uneven Surfaces or Broken Sidewalks: Cracks, holes, or uneven pavement on sidewalks, parking lots, or floors create tripping hazards that can lead to serious falls.
- Poor Lighting: Inadequate lighting in hallways, parking lots, or stairwells can prevent individuals from seeing potential hazards.
- Cluttered Walkways: Boxes, bags, or debris left in walkways can cause people to trip and fall unexpectedly.
- Lack of Warning Signs: Property owners have a legal obligation to warn visitors of dangerous conditions. When they fail to display proper warning signs, such as when a floor is wet or ice is present, preventable accidents happen.
Property owners and business operators are legally required to maintain safe premises for visitors. When they neglect this responsibility, they can be held liable for accidents that occur on their premises.
Common Injuries from Slip-and-Fall Accidents
The types of injuries that can happen in a slip-and-fall accident range from minor to severe, long-term conditions. Some of the most common injuries sustained in slip-and-fall accidents include:
- Fractures and Broken Bones: Falls can result in broken arms, wrists, ankles, or legs. These injuries may require surgery and extensive rehabilitation.
- Traumatic Brain Injuries (TBIs): If a person falls and hits their head, they may suffer a TBI. These injuries can have lifelong effects on cognitive function and overall health.
- Spinal Cord Injuries and Back Pain: Falls can damage the spine and lead to chronic back pain, nerve damage, or even paralysis in severe cases.
- Sprains, Strains, and Soft Tissue Injuries: The impact of a fall can cause sprains and strains in muscles, ligaments, and tendons, resulting in excruciating pain and limited mobility.
- Emotional Distress and Mental Anguish: The trauma of a slip-and-fall accident can lead to psychological issues such as anxiety, depression, and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).
The injuries resulting from a slip-and-fall accident can change the course of a person’s life. Medical bills, lost wages and earning potential, and long-term care expenses are devasting. That’s why it’s critical to consult an experienced law firm to pursue fair compensation.
Special and General Damages in Slip-and-Fall Cases
When pursuing compensation for a slip-and-fall injury, victims may be entitled to two types of damages: special damages and general damages. Each type of damage addresses specific aspects of harm caused by the accident.
Special Damages
Special damages are there to compensate for measurable financial losses created by the injury. These may include:
- Medical Expenses: This includes hospital bills, surgeries, doctor visits, physical therapy, and other related medical expenses.
- Lost Wages: If the injury prevents you from working, you may be entitled to compensation for the wages you would have earned if you hadn’t been injured.
- Property Damage: If personal property, such as a phone, glasses, or clothing, was damaged during the fall, these costs may also be covered.
General Damages
General damages compensate for the intangible harm caused by the injury. These may include:
- Pain and Suffering: Compensation for the physical pain and discomfort caused by the injury.
- Emotional Distress and Mental Anguish: This includes compensation for the psychological impact of the accident, such as anxiety, depression, and PTSD.
- Loss of Enjoyment of Life: If the injury limits your ability to participate in activities you once enjoyed, you may be entitled to compensation for the loss of those experiences.
How Dudley DeBosier Can Help
At Dudley DeBosier, we understand that each slip-and-fall case is unique. That’s why we are committed to providing personalized attention to all our clients. If you’ve been injured, our lawyers will guide you through every step of the legal process and fight for the compensation you deserve.
Our process includes:
- Investigating the Accident Scene: We conduct a thorough investigation to understand the circumstances surrounding the accident and determine the cause of the fall.
- Gathering Evidence: We collect and review critical evidence such as surveillance footage, accident reports, and witness statements to build a strong case on your behalf.
- Consulting Medical and Safety Experts: We work with medical and safety experts to assess the full extent of your injuries and identify potential hazards that may have contributed to the accident.
- Negotiating With Insurance Companies: Our attorneys are skilled negotiators who will work to secure a fair settlement from the responsible party’s insurance company. If necessary, we will pursue litigation to ensure you get the compensation you deserve.
We believe everyone deserves access to quality legal representation, regardless of their financial situation. That’s why you won’t pay us upfront. Our fee is contingent on outcome, which ensures that you can focus on your recovery while we focus on getting you the compensation you need.
Proving Liability in Slip-and-Fall Cases
To successfully pursue a slip-and-fall case, you must first prove that the property owner was negligent. Successfully proving negligence caused you harm is key to recovering compensation for your injuries.
This requires establishing the following four elements:
- Duty of Care: The property owner has a responsibility to maintain a safe environment for visitors.
- Breach of Duty: The property owner failed to repair or warn of dangerous conditions that led to the accident.
- Causation: It must be proven that the hazardous condition directly caused the fall and resulting injuries.
- Damages: The extent of the injuries and financial losses must be documented and proven.
Comparative Negligence in Louisiana Slip-and-Fall Cases
Louisiana follows a comparative negligence rule. This means that a victim may recover compensation even if they are partially responsible for the accident. It also means compensation may be reduced for the same reason.
For example, if you were looking at your phone or wearing inappropriate footwear at the time of the fall, your compensation may be reduced based on your percentage of fault. It is important to have an experienced attorney who can minimize your level of fault and maximize the compensation you are entitled to.
Contact Dudley DeBosier Today
If you’ve been injured in a slip-and-fall accident in Lafayette, let us help you through the complex legal process. At Dudley DeBosier, we offer free consultations to discuss your case and determine the best course of action. Contact us today to schedule a free consultation and learn how we can help.
