Slips and falls might look funny in the movies or on TV, but in real life, they can lead to serious injuries that can have a severe impact on the victim’s health and well-being. In the U.S., there are more than 14 million falls every year. Falls are the leading cause of injury for adults over age 65 and can cause problems, including fractures, contusions, and brain injuries. You might expect that falls from a height would be more common, but falls on the same level, such as sidewalk slip and fall accidents in Cordova, may cause up to 60 percent of falls that require medical attention.
If you or a person you care about were injured by a fall due to the negligence of another party, you know that the consequences are no laughing matter. You may need help from a diligent personal injury attorney at The Law Office of David E. Gordon to file a personal injury case. David can ensure the case is filed promptly, help establish the duty of care, and show why the other party’s negligence was responsible for your injuries.
Statute of Limitations for a Sidewalk Slip and Fall Accident Claim
A statute of limitations is a law that sets out a specific period for bringing a particular type of legal claim. The person making the claim must file their lawsuit within the statute of limitations. Otherwise, the claim will be barred, and the court will not hear the case.
Cases involving personal injury claims have a statute of limitations of only one year. This means an injured person has only one year from the date their injury occurred to file a lawsuit. Because this standard applies to almost all cases regarding injuries “to the person,” the one-year time limit must be respected whether the sidewalk slip and fall injury in Cordova was caused by negligent behavior or the intentional or reckless act of the defendant(s).
Establishing Duty of Care in a Sidewalk Slip and Fall Accident
It is not enough for someone to file the lawsuit within the statute of limitations and show they were injured in a sidewalk trip and fall in Cordova. An injured person must show the owner of the sidewalk owed them a duty of care, the owner breached that duty of care, and the injury was caused by this failure to meet the duty of care.
The duty of care is a legal standard that explains what a landowner should do to ensure their property is safe for others. In a sidewalk accident, the duty of care arises if there is a dangerous condition on the sidewalk and the landowner knew, or should have known, about the danger.
Many factors can affect the duty of care in a case like this. For example, had the owner received complaints about the dangerous conditions on their property? Did the owner invite the plaintiff onto the property, or did the injury take place at a business? David Gordon has experience with personal injury cases and can gather evidence to show if a duty was breached.
Contact a Cordova Lawyer After a Sidewalk Slip and Fall Accident
You may be entitled to damages if you were injured in a sidewalk slip and fall accident in Cordova. These damages can help you pay for expenses like diagnostic tests, physical therapy, rehabilitation services, and even your pain and suffering.
The Law Office of David E. Gordon can help you navigate the statute of limitations and duty of care standards. David can use his training to thoroughly investigate your case and hold the defendant responsible for the harm you suffered. Contact us today to schedule a consultation.
