Dayton Slip and Fall Lawyer

Slip and fall accidents can result in severe injuries, some of which take months to heal. Others may never heal at all.

The potentially severe consequences of a slip and fall are why property owners must inspect their premises for hazards, fix them promptly, and warn visitors of any they still need to address. When they fail to do so, they can be held financially liable for the consequences, including medical bills, lost wages, and the pain of the injuries themselves. Unfortunately, getting a liable property owner to admit fault and convince their insurer to cover the cost could prove challenging without the help of an experienced attorney.

That’s where Amourgis & Associates, Attorneys at Law, can help. Our Dayton personal injury attorneys know that while a lawsuit cannot undo your pain, it can provide you with the money you need to pay for your medical bills, offset any lost wages, and move on with your life. Contact us today for a free consultation, and find out how we can help you pursue justice.

Common Causes of Slip and Fall Accidents

Anything that presents a slipping or tripping hazard could cause someone to fall and be injured. That said, some of the most common causes of slip and fall accidents include:

• Water, snow, or ice
• Outdoor debris tracked indoors
• Spills (oil, grease, cleaning liquids, etc.)
• Floors still wet from cleaning
• Broken, damaged, or torn flooring
• Unsecured floor mats, runners, or rugs
• Damaged pavement or potholes
• Damaged stairs or handrails
• Uneven flooring between rooms
• Cords, clutter, or debris on the floor
• Insufficient lighting

Common Injuries Slip and Fall Accident Victims Suffer

While slip and fall accidents can be uniquely dangerous for older adults, the truth is that anyone can be seriously hurt when they fall. Injuries common to slip and fall accidents range from minor to catastrophic and include:

• Broken bones
• Soft tissue injuries
• Joint injuries
• Hip fractures
• Back and spinal cord injuries
• Head and neck injuries

You must seek medical attention immediately following a slip and fall accident, as these injuries may require significant medical intervention to treat properly. Next, talk to a slip-and-fall accident lawyer. They can help you seek compensation for what you’ve suffered, and your history of medical treatment will help them substantiate your claims and put a dollar value on your injuries.

Treatment and Recovery for Slip and Fall Injuries

Given the range of potential injuries you may experience in a slip and fall, it should come as little surprise that the medical treatment and recovery options are similarly varied. They can include:

• The RICE approach (rest, ice, compression, elevation)
• Pain medication (over-the-counter and prescription)
• Anti-inflammatory medication
• Immobilization and stabilization
• Physical therapy
• Surgery

When you visit a doctor after your fall, they will closely examine your injuries and review your treatment. Following the treatment plan and keeping a detailed record of your progress is a critical component of both healing and pursuing your personal injury claim.

How to Determine Who Is Liable for Your Slip and Fall Injuries

Property owners owe a duty of care to keep their premises safe for lawful visitors. They are often to blame for accidents caused by their failure to fix known hazards or warn visitors of their presence. However, in some cases, this duty of care falls to the property’s occupier, not its owner. For example, if you slipped on a spill at a supermarket that leased its building rather than owned it outright, the supermarket could be liable as an occupier, not whatever company holds the title on the property.

The specific duty of care that an owner or occupier may have owed you depends on what you were doing on the property in the first place. Ohio law recognizes three types of visitors:

• Invitees visit properties at the explicit or implicit invitation of the owner and for the owner’s benefit. Shoppers at a store and diners at a restaurant are invitees, for example. Property owners must inspect their premises, fix problems, and warn invitees of potential hazards.
• Licensees visit properties at the explicit or implicit invitation of the owner, but they do so for their own benefit. Salespeople typically count as licensees. Property owners owe a much lower duty to these visitors and must only refrain from actively harming them.
• Trespassers visit a property without the owner’s invitation. The only duty a property owner owes is a minimal duty to not willfully or recklessly cause them harm. That said, an exception exists for children too young to know better who are drawn to a property by an “attractive nuisance” – for example, a swimming pool without a proper fence.

Establishing that a property owner or occupier owed you a duty of care and violated that duty in a way that caused your injury will require considerable evidence. This may include photographs, security camera footage, eyewitness testimony, and other records.

How Can a Slip-And-Fall Attorney in Dayton Help You?

When you’re injured, the last thing you need to worry about is how you will pursue justice and compensation. This is why calling our Dayton slip-and-fall lawyers right away is critical to your case. Your attorney will handle the legal process from beginning to end, allowing you to focus on your recovery.

Your attorney will start by investigating the accident, gathering evidence, and building a case on your behalf. This research will help them identify all parties that may be liable for your injuries and how much those injuries have cost you.

Your lawyer will keep you updated every step of the way. They’ll also handle all communications with insurance companies, including critical negotiations. If the property owner’s insurer refuses to offer a settlement, your lawyer can argue your case in court and fight for the best possible outcome.

Hiring an experienced personal injury lawyer provides essential peace of mind and makes it easier to stay focused on recuperating from your injuries. Having an attorney you can trust and rely on is one of the key ingredients in a successful personal injury claim.

Statute of Limitations to File a Personal Injury Lawsuit in Ohio

Ohio’s statute of limitations in personal injury lawsuits is two years. This means you have two years from the date of the accident to file a claim in your slip and fall case.

Two years may sound like a lot of time, but remember that your falling injury lawyer needs time to build your case. If you’ve been injured in a slip-and-fall accident and believe the property owner is liable, contact an attorney immediately to initiate the legal process.

Contact Our Slip and Fall Lawyers in Dayton, Ohio, for a Free Consultation

Are you looking for a lawyer for a slip and fall accident? If so, contact our Dayton slip and fall attorneys today. We’ll help you understand your rights and explain how the law applies to your case. We look forward to learning more about your case and fighting for a just and favorable outcome.