A slip or fall while on another person’s property can lead to serious injuries, but these injuries may be compensable through a lawsuit with the help of an experienced personal injury attorney. Falls are common and can be caused by any number of hazards. When that hazard should have been prevented by the property owner, you might be able to hold them legally accountable for the accident that followed.
With the help of a Board-certified Cordova slip and fall lawyer like David E. Gordon, you can determine the potential compensation to which you are entitled. Slip and fall accidents are closely related to premises liability law. This area of the law addresses a property owner’s responsibilities to maintain their property in a certain level of safe condition for their visitors. Slips and falls are a common occurrence but it hinges on the unique facts of the case as to whether a civil lawsuit is an acceptable remedy for the injury.
How Slip and Falls Happen in Cordova
Slip and falls can happen in any number of ways and the harm they cause can range from minor to catastrophic. Some may only produce a lightly sprained hand, while others can lead to traumatic brain injuries and spinal cord damage if the person does not break their fall. In either case, financial compensation may be available to help an injured client handle the medical and other costs associated with these injuries.
Types of Slip and Fall Accidents
The most common situations David sees that produce falls include premises liability cases like:
- Spilled or melted liquids in grocery stores
- Accumulation of water from leaking pipes or appliances
- Ice or snow accumulation under certain circumstances
- Unsafe staircases
- Holes in the floor or uneven surfaces
- Obstacles or trip hazards that are difficult to see
If a property owner’s negligence is to blame for the tripping accident, it is possible that they can be held responsible for any injuries that result. Every situation is unique, so it is critical that a Cordova slip and fall attorney reviews the case.
Proving a Slip and Fall Case
To prove a slip and fall case, Tennessee courts require specific proof as well as an understanding of the property owner’s duty of care. The duty of care that an owner owes to someone will depend on the visitor’s classification. Trespassers, for example, are not invited and are not welcome. They are given the least amount of protection. Essentially, the property owner will not owe them a duty of care, other than to not purposely attack them.
Social visitors and invitees are owed a higher duty of care. These include people who are welcome on the property, such as family and friends, as well as customers at a grocery store or other place of business. Store and restaurant managers must take care to clean up any spilled liquid on the floor where patrons typically walk, while home owners should fix or warn of a potentially dangerous crack in their driveway.
Once the legal status of the visitor is determined, the Cordova slip and fall lawyer can determine the kinds of evidence needed to prove the case and seek the highest possible monetary damages for their client.
Contact a Cordova Slip and Fall Attorney for Legal Assistance
Slip and fall accidents can be life-altering in some circumstances. However, many of them are also easily preventable by the person who manages the premises. To determine the financial compensation potentially available to you, an experienced Cordova slip and fall lawyer like David E. Gordon can help. Your case is unique and deserves the personal attention of a hardworking attorney. Call today to discuss your legal situation.
