A slip-and-fall accident is one of the most common types of accidents. It can happen to anyone, anywhere, at any time, and is never expected. These accidents occur when someone slips or trips, resulting in falling. Victims can sustain minor to severe or permanent injuries. Various environmental and human-caused factors contribute to a slip-and-fall mishap. Victims of this type of fall accident may be entitled to compensation for medical expenses, lost wages, and pain and suffering. In order to pursue fair compensation, if qualified, it is crucial to understand the legal implications of slip and fall accidents. A Dallas slip-and-fall lawyer can help.
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What Our Clients Have To Say
I have worked with Schuerger Shunnarah twice and they have been very helpful on my personal injury cases. They went above and beyond my expectations and did a great job both times.
- Ashley C.
Schuerger Shunnarah helped me receive a settlement on my case in just months. I was treated with respect and dignity. Thanks to their help, I have been able to get my life back to normal.
- Michael S.
They provided me with excellent service throughout my personal injury case. They were available to answer my questions and helped me understand the process. I am very grateful for them!
- Deshawn B.
Why Hire Reliable Slip and Fall Attorneys?
It is important to hire legal counsel for any personal injury case. While it is possible for anyone to file a personal injury claim on their own, bargain for a settlement, and represent themselves in court, there are disadvantages to taking that independent route.
Slip-and-fall cases can be challenging to settle in court. Possibly taking on a property owner, their legal teams, and their insurance company can be a struggle. After suffering from an accident that resulted in an injury or multiple injuries, taking on that hardship can be stressful.
Hiring an attorney is in every fall victim's best interest. The benefits of having a lawyer to deal with a slip-and-fall case are:
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A lawyer can help prove liability. It can be hard for a victim to prove that they were not responsible for a slip and fall accident. Lawyers are skilled at examining evidence and know where to start to verify liability.
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Slip and fall attorneys know how to gather further evidence. They are also experienced with finding and speaking with witnesses.
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The responsibilities of dealing with opposing attorneys and court proceedings are out of the victim's hands. The lawyer will take care of everything during the pursuit of justice.
Schuerger Shunnarah Trial Attorneys law firm offers free consultation and has experienced, reliable fall lawyers. These attorneys not only help a client understand their legal options, but they can also help to assert their rights. If fall victims want full and fair compensation after a fall injury, getting a Dallas slip and fall lawyer is the best route to take.
How Often Do Slip and Fall Accidents Occur?
Slip and fall accidents are among the most common causes of injury in the United States. Approximately one million slip-and-fall victims end up in the emergency room every year. Fall accidents are a top cause of injury for all age groups. They also lead to fatalities each year.
Most people don't worry about the dangers of a slip-and-fall accident because these incidents are unexpected. However, a slip-and-fall tragedy can significantly impact a victim and their family in the instance of severe or permanent injuries.
Fall injuries can also turn out to be expensive. Billions of dollars are spent on medical bills for slip and fall injuries each year.
Common Causes of Slip and Fall Accidents
A slip and fall accident is among the most common incidents that cause severe injuries in the country. Fall accidents can happen to anyone when they least expect it, either outdoors or indoors. They can occur on privately owned properties or commercial properties.
Property owner negligence and environmental factors can create hazards that lead to fall accidents. If a fall mishap causes serious injuries, a Dallas slip and fall attorney can assist.
Common causes of slip and fall accidents include:
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Wet floors
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Uneven surfaces
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Loose floorboards
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Slippery floors from mopping or waxing
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Cluttered floors
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Potholes in parking lots
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Cracked sidewalks
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Torn, thick, or bulging carpeting
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Loose mats
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Poorly constructed staircases
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Lack of handrails on stairs
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Poor lighting or poor visibility
Medical Treatment and Records
Slip and fall accidents typically result in injury. Not all injuries are immediately or visibly noticeable. Sometimes, after a fall, a person can get up and feel just fine. They might look at the accident as minor since they can pick themselves up and there are no apparent wounds.
Despite no obvious injury, it is important to seek medical attention. It is not until a slip-and-fall victim gets medically examined that they discover hidden traumas. Some soft tissue injuries are not outwardly observable and might not present themselves until days or even weeks after a fall.
Delayed pain is common with some injuries. A person will not recognize that they are hurt until they start to feel discomfort. Internal bleeding is also a possible factor. This condition is considered a medical emergency. However, it is not always instantly apparent. Therefore, seeking medical attention after a slip and fall incident is advisable.
Not only do the injured party preserve their health, but they also have records of their injuries and treatment. Medical records are important contributions to recovering compensation in a slip and fall accident case.
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Possible Slip and Fall Injuries
Slip and fall accidents cause injuries that range from minor to severe. Many of these fall injuries can be life-altering. Not all injuries from a slip and fall accident are immediately noticeable. Therefore, it is beneficial to take precautions after a fall. Listed below are common traumas caused by a slip and fall.
Lacerations and Cuts
A laceration is a deep tear or cut in the skin. This damage to skin integrity can be caused by falling on sharp objects or a jagged surface. These injuries might need sutures and will likely result in scarring. If the cuts are deep enough, damage to muscle, nerves, or other soft tissues is possible.
Facial Injuries
Injury to the face can occur after a slip-and-fall incident. Hitting the ground or an object with force can result in eye injury, damaged teeth, severe cuts, and fractures of the nose and jaw.
Head Injuries
A slip-and-fall accident that results in a head injury can be dire and require immediate medical care. Often, these injuries can cause temporary or permanent brain damage. A blow to the head from a slip-and-fall incident may lead to a concussion, which is a type of traumatic brain injury. Symptoms may include dizziness, nausea, vomiting, blurry vision, and confusion.
Other severe cases of traumatic brain injuries can lead to long-term complications that can decrease the quality of life. In some unfortunate cases, a fall injury can even lead to death.
Neck and Spinal Cord Injury
Injury to the neck from a slip and fall is a serious injury that can result in severe damage to the spinal cord. A common injury caused by a fall is whiplash. This condition is caused by the soft tissues in the neck or the upper spinal cord suffering damage because of a violent jerk or jolt.
Other spinal cord injuries can lead to debilitating complications. Victims can suffer from severe pain, limited mobility, and paralysis.
Sprains
During slip and fall accidents twisting of the joints is a possibility. Sprains are painful. Depending on the extent of damage to the ligaments, they can cause long-lasting complications.
Fractures
Broken bones are among the most common injuries from a slip-and-fall accident. Cases of broken bones vary in location and type. However, they are all serious, painful, and require medical treatment. Fractured bones can take weeks or months to heal, which can lead to lost wages due to the inability to work.
Chronic Pain
A chronic condition is something that is long-term, sometimes incurable. Suffering from chronic pain after injury from a slip and fall accident can be devastating to a victim. No one wants to live with pain. The constant need for treatment will lead to hefty medical bills.
Injuries from a slip and fall incident require medical care, which can be costly. A victim can file a personal injury claim to recover compensation. If anyone has suffered a slip and fall accident in the Dallas area, Schuerger Shunnarah Trial Attorneys law firm has fall lawyers who are equipped to give legal counsel and take on fall claims.
What is the Importance of Medical Records in a Slip and Fall Case?
Medical records will prove fall injuries. These documents are certified by hospitals, physicians, therapists, and other medical experts. They support the validity of an injury. By pinpointing the applicable areas concerning the injury from the medical records, the defense will have difficulty opposing the plaintiff's legal claims.
A Dallas slip-and-fall attorney will review medical documents for a personal injury claim. The civil courts also have strict rules about bringing forward all necessary documents that support statements made in a slip-and-fall case.
Therefore, medical records carry a lot of weight in these lawsuits. They are considered legal documents that help the slip-and-fall attorney arrive at a suitable settlement for the plaintiff. To sue someone for an injury, the victim's medical records must be acquired to corroborate the incident leading to the injury.
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What Should a Victim Do After a Slip and Fall Accident in Dallas?
A fall may occur because of various reasons. If it is due to hazards ignored on someone else's property, a victim can file a legal claim. The at-fault party can be liable to pay for physical damages. However, the injured party must take certain actions to be able to file a suit.
Following a fall, it is imperative to seek medical care immediately. Serious injuries can occur, and a delay in visiting a health professional can make the situation worse. Additionally, healthcare records such as proof of hospital visits, treatment, and medical bills will be primary evidence in the event the victim makes a legal claim.
It is also important to report fall incidents to the property owner or manager. Law officials should be notified as well. The injured party is encouraged to gather photo evidence of the accident scene and their injuries if possible. Proof of lost wages and correspondence with an insurance company will also be pertinent documents for a case file.
Also, if it is possible to get the contact information of witnesses to a fall, that should be obtained. Witnesses can often help a case. In many circumstances, their testimony will help to prove what is necessary to win a case so the victim gets financial recovery.
After the fall occurred, it may be time to meet with a Dallas slip and fall lawyer. An experienced fall lawyer can provide valuable service if a victim decides to file a personal injury claim. Schuerger Shunnarah Trial Attorneys has dedicated accident and fall lawyers who will advise clients on the next step to take.
Determining When a Case Qualifies for a Premises Liability Claim
If a fall occurred on someone else's property, there is a possibility that the owner is responsible for injuries sustained from a slip and fall mishap. It is important to know if a premises liability claim is valid.
A premises liability claim means a person has the right to seek legal action if they were injured because of a negligent property owner. This means that if the property owner had their premises in an unstable or unsafe condition, which caused an accident, they are liable.
To hold a property owner legally accountable for any injuries caused by an accident on their premises, some factors have to be proven:
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The plaintiff must prove that their injury did not result because of their carelessness. Everyone is accountable for exercising caution while on someone else's property. Therefore, the party filing the claim must show that they were neither reckless nor careless leading up to a fall.
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It is mandatory to prove that the at-fault party is the legitimate owner or manager of the premises where the fall occurred. Moreover, it is a property owner's legal responsibility to ensure that their property is safe and secured for visitors.
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Proving that the environment was in a dangerous condition at the time of the accident is also imperative. Perhaps the floor was wet or slippery, or the walking surface was uneven. The type of environmental hazard does not matter as long as it can be proven that the property owner should have known about the risk. This is why taking pictures of the scene after a fall is a good idea.
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Another element to prove is the plaintiff's right to be on the property at the time of the accident. The victim must have been on a lawful visit to the premises when the injury happened. In the case of trespassers, property owners have no legal accountability if slip-and-fall incidents take place.
Many slip and fall injuries in the Dallas area are preventable. Proof of a property owner's negligence that caused an accident and injury leaves the plaintiff with the right to compensation. An injured party affected by a falling accident should contact an experienced Dallas slip and fall lawyer for assistance.
At Schuerger Shunnarah Trial Attorneys law firm, lawyers are ready to investigate an incident and ensure that a client has a valid premises liability case against an at-fault party.
Once it is established that the plaintiff has a credible case, the Dallas slip and fall lawyer will gather evidence and work out a suitable settlement before filing a legal claim. Hiring an attorney typically results in fair compensation.
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Dealing with an Insurance Agency After a Fall Incident
Insurance companies care more about money than they do about victims. Their goal is to pay out the smallest settlement possible to a slip-and-fall victim. The insurance adjuster likely to call after an accident is from the property owner's (the at-fault party's) agency.
They want to speed up the case, which results in an unfair settlement. If this inadequate amount is accepted, there will be no chance of getting more money from the company. To avoid ruining a chance at full compensation, contact a Dallas slip and fall attorney before speaking with an insurance agent.
What Is the Statute of Limitations for a Slip and Fall Case in Texas
A statute of limitations, also called a prescriptive period is a law that specifies the maximum amount of time that people involved in a conflict have to start legal proceedings from the date of the offense.
Texas law states that the statute of limitations for a slip and fall injury claim is two years. The same goes for any property damage that occurred during the accident, such as broken personal items.
After a slip and fall mishap that resulted in injury, it is important to contact an attorney to ascertain if there is a valid legal case.
Accidents that result in injury, especially if the victim is not at fault, should qualify for compensation. Dallas injured victims can count on reliable attorneys at Schuerger Shunnarah Trial Attorneys to take their cases.
Why Choose Schuerger Shunnarah Trial Attorneys for a Slip and Fall Case?
Schuerger Shunnarah Trial Attorneys is a law firm in Texas with a battle-ready team of seasoned lawyers who are ready to fight for clients. With extensive litigation experience, these attorneys know what they are up against in a legal battle. They are not only equipped for legal counsel, but they also care about clients on a personal level.
Going through a trial can be hard for an injured victim who has already experienced physical pain and emotional exhaustion. Clients can rely on Schuerger Shunnarah Trial Attorneys' lawyers to be empathetic. While they fight for justice for their clients, they also lend shoulders to lean on.
Call a Dallas Slip and Fall Attorney Today!
Slip and fall accidents take victims by surprise and can result in terrible injuries. Sufferers of these accidents deserve compensation. With Schuerger Shunnarah Trial Attorneys, Dallas victims can count on a fair settlement.
Call the firm for an experienced fall attorney today, and get a free consultation. Schuerger Shunnarah Trial Attorneys will not back down until justice is served.