Whenever you visit someone else’s property, the landowner has a responsibility to remedy known hazards and take other reasonable precautions to keep you and other visitors safe. A property owner or manager who breaches this duty could be held liable for any injuries you suffer as a result, including those stemming from slips, trips, and falls.
As any experienced personal injury attorney knows, slip and fall accidents can lead to severe and sometimes permanent injuries. To effectively pursue compensation in the aftermath of a trip and spill incident, you should work with a Papillion slip and fall lawyer who understands how these claims usually proceed.
Damages and Losses in Papillion Trip and Spill Claims
In the best-case scenarios, a slip and fall results in minor injuries that ultimately resolve on their own over time. In other situations, though, a sudden fall can have disastrous consequences – especially if it involves someone falling against a hard, stationary surface such as a railing or curb. Common injuries that local attorneys see after trip and spill incidents include:
- Broken bones
- Skin abrasions and lacerations
- Ligament strains and sprains
- Concussions and other forms of traumatic brain damage
- Spinal cord damage
In severe cases, a slip and fall can cause permanent and catastrophic damage to the spinal cord or brain, resulting in long-term loss of function and sensation. Anyone who experiences serious or lasting injuries as a result of a trip and fall should prioritize contacting legal counsel as soon as they receive appropriate medical attention.
Limitations on Filing a Local Slip and Fall Claim
If you can prove that someone else’s negligence caused your slip and fall accident, you may be eligible to recover both economic and non-economic damages, such as past and future medical expenses, wage loss, loss of earning capacity, loss of enjoyment of life, and physical pain and suffering.
However, property owners may not accept liability without a fight, and one of the most common ways defendants contest trip and spill claims is by accusing the plaintiff of comparative fault. If you’re found partially at fault for causing or exacerbating your own injuries, your recoverable compensation will be reduced. For example, if you are found 20% at-fault for the injury, you will only receive 80% of the total compensation. If you are found 50% or more responsible, you may be barred from recovering any accident-related damages.
Additionally, Nebraska Revised Statutes §25-207 imposes a filing deadline for slip and fall injuries. A prospective plaintiff must file suit within 4 years of the injury. While exceptions to this rule are rare, a trip and fall lawyer in Papillion can discuss whether any exemptions may apply in your circumstances.
Seek Help from a Papillion Slip and Fall Attorney
Slip and fall accidents can result in serious injuries. If you were hurt in an unexpected fall because someone else failed to maintain safe conditions on their property, you may have legal options that you should consider exploring.
A knowledgeable Papillion slip and fall lawyer can go over the possibilities in your case during an initial meeting. Call Berry Law today to schedule a free consultation with a skilled attorney and start working on your potential claim.
