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Filing a Slip and Fall Lawsuit After Suffering an Injury at Someone’s Home

You may be entitled to compensation if a private homeowner’s negligence caused your slip-and-fall accident.

Summary

  • Slip-and-fall accidents at private residences can result from homeowner negligence, such as inadequate lighting or failure to fix hazards.
  • Injured visitors may be entitled to compensation by filing a slip-and-fall accident claim with the homeowner’s insurance provider.
  • Homeowners can be held liable for slip-and-fall accidents if they fail to ensure a safe environment for visitors, breaching their duty of care.
  • Victims of slip-and-fall accidents can pursue compensatory damages for medical expenses, lost wages, pain and suffering, and other losses with the assistance of a slip-and-fall accident lawyer.

When visiting another person’s home, you expect the homeowner to upkeep their house so that no walking hazards can lead to a slip-and-fall accident. However, that is not always the case.

Unfortunately, a private property homeowner’s negligence can lead to a slip-and-fall accident. They can fail to light their home properly, fix a broken step, or mop up a spilled drink. 

A visitor encountering each of these walking hazards can cause them to lose their balance and injure themselves when they fall.

If you suffered a slip-and-fall accident on another person’s property, you could file a slip-and-fall accident claim with their insurance provider to pursue compensation for damages. 

Let a Jones Law Group slip-and-fall accident lawyer advise you on what steps to take after a slip-and-fall at someone’s home. We know how to hold them accountable and we are familiar with your state’s slip-and-fall accident laws. 

You can schedule a free consultation by calling (727) 571-1333 or filling out a contact form through our website.

How Can a Slip and Fall Accident Happen at Someone’s Home?

A slip-and-fall accident occurs when a walking hazard causes someone to lose their balance, fall down, and experience bodily harm when hitting the hard floor.

These types of accidents commonly occur on public properties, but they can also happen in private residences. Private property owners must ensure that their home is safe for visitors.

They must clean or fix any walking hazards that can cause slip-and-fall accidents. Failing to do so can expose visitors to the risk of suffering a severe injury like a traumatic brain injury, broken bone, or knee injury.

The following are some private property walking hazards that can cause a slip-and-fall accident:

  • Wet floors
  • Missing steps
  • Poor lighting
  • Cords stretching across the floor
  • Debris or garbage on the floor
  • Loose rugs and floorboards
  • Lack of railing on elevated platforms

Homeowners Can Be Held Liable for Slip and Fall Accidents

Slip-and-fall accidents have become some of the most dangerous personal injury accidents. According to the National Floor Safety Council (NFSC), slip-and-fall accidents account for over one million hospital visits yearly. 

Victims of slip-and-fall accidents can experience severe injuries from blunt-force trauma that can cause significant personal injury damages. Private homeowners who fail to ensure their property is safe for visitors can be liable in a slip-and-fall accident claim.

Homeowners who allow others onto their properties owe visitors a duty of care to ensure they have a safe environment for people to visit. Leaving walking hazards unfixed is a negligent action that can cause harm to visitors and leave them liable for damages.

Proving a Slip and Fall Accident at Someone’s Home

Recovering compensation for a slip-and-fall accident requires victims to prove the at-fault party’s liability. They can do this by finding evidence proving the four elements of negligence:

  • The at-fault party owed a duty of care
  • They breached the duty of care
  • Their breach of duty of care caused the slip-and-fall accident
  • The slip-and-fall accident caused severe injuries and damages

Following a slip-and-fall at someone’s home, you can find tangible evidence that can prove the at-fault party’s liability and put you in a position to recover compensatory damages. Some evidence proving liability includes pictures of the walking hazards, medical records, and witness statements.

What Should You Do After a Slip and Fall at Someone’s Home?

After a slip-and-fall accident, there are steps you can take to put yourself in a position to recover compensation for damage. Homeowners who fail to take reasonable precautions to prevent slip-and-fall accidents can be held liable for slip-and-fall accident claims.

It’s vital to take the proper steps to hold them accountable for their negligence that caused the slip-and-fall accident and protect yourself from accusations that you were liable for the accident. You can also take steps to help heal from your severe injuries and receive legal counsel for how you should proceed with your slip-and-fall accident claim.

The following are some things you should do after a slip-and-fall at someone’s house:

  • Take pictures of the walking hazard and your injuries
  • Notify the property owner about the dangerous walking hazards
  • Receive medical attention for your injuries
  • Write down everything you remember from the accident
  • Hire a slip-and-fall accident lawyer

Damages in a Slip and Fall Accident Claim

Slip-and-fall accidents are one of the most common types of personal injury cases. Those who suffer a slip-and-fall at someone else’s house can experience damages they can pursue compensation for through a slip-and-fall accident claim.

There are two main types of compensatory damages: economic and non-economic damages. Economic damages are those with a monetary value that you can point to. Non-economic damages are intangible costs regarding the psychological cost and reduced quality of life caused by an accident.

The following are some damages you could pursue in a slip-and-fall accident claim:

Do You Need a Slip and Fall Accident Lawyer?

Slip and fall victims should hire lawyers to represent them in litigation. The process of filing a slip-and-fall accident claim and handling settlement negotiations can be difficult for those without legal experience. 

Be cautious when talking to the insurance company to avoid damaging your claim and contact a personal injury attorney as soon as possible.

An experienced slip-and-fall accident attorney can provide expertise and inform the claim process. They can assess the claim’s value, determine the liable party, gather evidence, and negotiate a settlement with the liable party’s insurer.

Contact Jones Law Group About Filing a Claim After a Slip and Fall at Someone’s Home

At Jones Law Group, our slip-and-fall accident lawyers have decades of experience helping victims recover compensatory damages. We know how to hold homeowners accountable for negligence that led to a slip-and-fall accident on their property.

Our slip-and-fall accident attorneys are well-versed in personal injury law, so we can provide the expertise and personalized legal counsel you need to help you recover financially.

Get in touch with a Jones Law Group personal injury attorney by calling (727) 571-1333 or filling out a contact form through our website.

About the Author

Heath Murphy is a partner at Jones Law Group and focuses on personal injury law. He has been working as a lawyer for 18 years and routinely writes about auto accidents, wrongful death, and personal injury laws.

Read more: Heath’s Bio