The Centers for Disease Control has reported an estimated eight million fall injuries every year. While it may sound like a minor incident, slip and falls can lead to long-lasting injuries that seriously impact your daily life.
If you were involved in a bad fall due to another’s negligence, a Southaven slip and fall lawyer can help you pursue the best compensation available to you under the law. An experienced personal injury attorney like David E. Gordon can advise you on all steps you need to take. Tasking yourself with self-representation while recovering from injuries is an unnecessary burden that you should not have to worry about.
Common Causes of Slip and Fall Injuries
Slip and fall injuries are cases where a person falls and suffers some injury or harm due to an unsafe or dangerous condition on someone else’s property. As slip and fall injuries are such a broad area of the law, many different causes can lead to these types of injuries, such as:
- Wet or icy surfaces
- Uneven surfaces
- Loose floorboards
- Torn carpets
- Parking lot potholes
- Loose cords
- Recently waxed floors
All of these incidents stem from the property owner’s failure to use reasonable care to ensure that dangerous conditions do not exist. David can help someone who has been injured in any of these ways as a result of the property owner’s negligence.
Laws Regarding Slip and Fall Injuries
Slip and fall injuries fall within negligence law. Clients must be aware of negligence rules impacting these types of claims.
The Deadline to File
One of the most important factors to consider before commencing a lawsuit is the relevant timeframe. This timeframe is known as the statute of limitations and varies from state to state. In Mississippi, a person must bring a slip and fall claim within three years from the incident.
If the claim for a slip and fall injury is not brought before the deadline, it can have significant implications and potentially prevent a person from pursuing any compensation. It is essential to consult with a Southaven tripping accident lawyer to ensure that a lawsuit is not time-barred.
Comparing Negligence
Every state has individual laws that affect the compensation that can be claimed. In Mississippi, the doctrine of comparative negligence is in effect. This means that if a plaintiff is at fault, this will not wholly bar their ability to recover a monetary award. If the plaintiff has contributed to the injury, compensation may be reduced by the percentage that a jury deems the plaintiff was at fault for the accident. It is advisable for an injured person to have a Board-certified lawyer on their side to counter any accusations of shared fault.
Damages Recoverable from a Slip and Fall Injury
The damages resulting from a slip and fall injury can encompass numerous losses, with some cases leaving relatively minor scrapes or bruises, and others producing more significant injuries such as broken bones or brain injuries. As a result, a client and their local slip and fall attorney can pursue different types of compensatory damages, such as:
- Medical expenses
- Lost income
- Future diminished earning capacity
- Emotional pain and suffering
- Rehabilitation costs
- Wrongful death
It is important for an injured person to keep all bills and receipts so that they can be used later when calculating desired compensation.
Request a Consultation with a Southaven Slip and Fall Attorney Today
Property owners and managers have a duty to keep walkable areas free from hazards and to provide warnings for guests on their property. Call the Law Office of David E. Gordon for a free consultation on how best to pursue a case and advise you on the best compensation that can be recovered in your circumstances. Your odds of success increase if you work with a Southaven slip and fall lawyer.
