Slip and fall accidents may sound minor, but they can lead to catastrophic injuries with lifelong consequences. For older victims, these accidents may even lead to a loss of independence and the risk of ongoing health problems.
Many slip and fall accidents are caused by a property owner’s failure to maintain their premises correctly. For example, property owners are expected to clear ice and snow in a timely fashion, address uneven sidewalks or holes people might step into, and place warning signs when floors are slippery.
If the property owner failed to address maintenance issues then you may have grounds for a slip and fall case. Accidents may happen, but you should receive compensation when the cause of those accidents is another person’s negligence.
It’s also important to note that “slip and fall” is really an informal name for “occupier’s liability.” If you suffer a different type of injury due to a property owner’s negligence, such as being struck by a falling object or suffering from burns or electrocution, then you may still have a case. Slips and falls just happen to be the most common occupier’s liability cases.
If you’ve been injured in a slip and fall accident, don’t delay. Call Michael R. Mantyka to schedule a free case review. His 20 years of experience gives him the in-depth knowledge to negotiate your case to a successful conclusion.
FAQ
What are some common causes of slip and fall accidents?
Common causes of slip and fall accidents in Saskatchewan include:
- Failure to address snow and ice in a timely fashion
- Uneven or poorly maintained walkways
- Inadequate lighting
- Worn or damaged flooring
- Unaddressed spills and leaks
- Stairs or stair railings in poor condition
- Poor drainage
These are just examples. There are many reasons why slip and fall accidents occur.
What types of injuries can result from a slip and fall accident?
Common injuries include:
- Strains and sprains
- Fractured wrists, arms, ankles, and hips
- Head injuries
- Spinal cord injuries
- Torn ligaments
- Internal injuries
Some of these injuries can lead to long-term problems, such as chronic pain and mobility issues.
Who is liable for a slip and fall injury that occurs on someone else’s property?
The property owner is almost always liable for these injuries. In general, their property insurance or business ownership insurance policy will be the party actually paying the damages.
To prove liability, we must prove that the property owner was negligent, and that your injury arose as a direct result of that negligence.
Proving liability isn’t always easy. Property owners have a number of defenses they can raise in a slip and fall case. For example, they may claim they did not have adequate time to learn about the injury or address it. If they can prove that claim successfully, they can write your injury off as a mere accident. Personal injury law only exists to force negligent parties to pay for damages, not to address every possible accident that might happen to a person.
They might also try to prove that you bore some responsibility for the accident too, or that you assumed risks. For example, if you go walking around a clearly marked dig site and fall into a hole, the property owner might have a good case for pointing out that you did not have to walk around the hole but chose to do so, and that you were warned of the risks.
Your slip and fall lawyer is there to help you meet these defenses so that you can obtain maximum compensation during the course of your case.
What should I do if I slip and fall on someone else’s property?
Seek medical attention right away, even if you don’t feel like you’re all that hurt. Some injuries can take time to present themselves.
Next, you should report the incident to the property owner, or to an employee on-site. You’ll be asked to fill out an incident report. As you do, stick to the facts and only the facts.
Next, get the names and numbers of any witnesses who happen to be present, and note the presence of any security cameras.
Take photos. Note the shoes you’re wearing, the conditions on the property, and anything else you can think of that might be relevant. Note you should not take photos of other people or their injuries.
Finally, as soon as you are medically capable of doing so you should contact a personal injury lawyer in Saskatoon. Involving a lawyer faster carries many benefits. For example, when you call Michael he’ll be able to move immediately to gain a copy of whatever security footage might exist. He’ll be able to reach out to witnesses while their memory is still fresh. He’ll be able to deal with the insurance company for you.
If you aren’t conscious after the accident and wake up in the hospital calling Michael fast generally means he’ll have more success obtaining the facts of your accident.
What is the average settlement for a slip and fall injury case?
It’s impossible to say what your specific settlement might be without looking at all the facts of your case. We’ve seen settlements as low as $10,000 and settlements in the millions.
Settlements also depend on your lawyer’s negotiation skills. 98% of personal injury cases settle out of court. There’s also no fixed injury schedule that sets pain and suffering awards or loss of earning capacity awards. Thus, two different lawyers might get two very different results out of your slip and fall case.
A good settlement will cover all your losses and will offer adequate compensation for your pain and suffering. When you meet with Michael he’ll help you understand the likely worst and best case scenarios, so that you can make good decisions about whether to accept a settlement when the time comes.
Schedule a Case Review Today
Call (306) 791-7763 to schedule a case review today. The sooner you involve Michael in your case, the better the outcome of your case is likely to be!