Slip And Fall Accidents

Slip-and-Fall Accident Lawyers in Dayton

Helping You Get Back on Your Feet After a Bad Fall

When you run errands or walk on a city sidewalk, the last thing on your mind is suffering a serious injury. However, a slip-and-fall accident can happen when you least expect it – and usually with no fault of your own.

At The Attkisson Law Firm in Dayton, our attorneys understand the pain and anguish you experience after a slip-and-fall or trip-and-fall accident. When the hazardous or negligent conditions of someone else's property caused your injury, we can hold them accountable, either through careful settlement negotiations or litigation in a courtroom.

Seeking proper compensation? Call our Dayton slip-and-fall accident attorneys at (937) 230-8330.

A Slip-And-Fall Accident Can Occur Anywhere

Slip-and-fall accidents can occur anywhere, including due to:

  • Snowy or icy conditions
  • Cracked pavement of a parking lot, sidewalk, or driveway
  • Broken or uneven staircase
  • Defective railings
  • Poor or inadequate lighting
  • Unmarked wet floors
  • Any sort of spilled liquid or debris
  • Torn or loose carpeting or flooring

A shop, restaurant, private property, and more can be the sources of dangerous conditions and hazards hidden through the property. When you slip and fall on the property of someone else, who is responsible for your injuries?

Common Types of Injuries Caused by Slip & Falls

Slip and fall accidents can be severe, especially for the elderly or those with preexisting medical conditions. Insurance companies try to argue oppositely, though. Insurance representatives often say that a slip and fall “can’t” cause serious injuries because falling over is a day-to-day occurrence. A look at the medical evidence from many slip and fall cases can quickly prove otherwise.

Common injuries suffered by people who slip and fall include:

  • Multiple broken bones
  • Hip fractures
  • Spinal cord injuries
  • Head injuries and brain damage

Treating any of these injuries can be as costly as it is painful. The compensation that you are provided from the liable party – and their insurance provider – should cover everything, including what you will incur and endure in the future.

Determining Liability for a Slip & Fall Accident

Proving fault in a slip and fall accident can be difficult. If you fell and no one else was around, then it will be initially unclear how someone else could be to blame. After all, most slips and fall accidents are not caused by someone else’s negligence. Rather, the injured person takes a misstep or becomes off-balance and falls on their own.

How can you prove that the proprietor is to blame for your slip and fall? Tangible evidence might be needed to show that the hazard that caused you to slip was there for a while and that the property owner did not do enough to take care of it.

Evidence that we might be able to use to build your case includes:

  • Security camera footage
  • Eyewitness testimonies
  • Photos and recordings from passersby
  • Property safety records

If the hazard that caused your slip and fall accident should have been cleared by the property owner before you encountered it, then you might have a strong case on your hands. The key to many such cases is whether or not the hazard was addressed in a “reasonable” manner by the property owner. For example, it is not reasonable to expect a grocery store to clean up a spilled carton of juice the next minute after a customer drops it. But it is reasonable to expect the spill to be cordoned off within just a few minutes and then mopped up.

Statute of Limitations for Your Case

Ohio has a two-year statute of limitations on personal injury cases, including slip and fall cases. The statute’s start date is usually on the day of the accident. Although, it can start later if your injury was not immediately recognizable. In that case, the statute could begin on the day that your injury became noticeable or diagnosed.

Do not wait too long to take legal action, though, even if the two-year statute of limitations is far off. The longer you wait, the more time you give the opposition to build its counterarguments. Also, evidence of liability will become thinner as time goes on, to the point that you might entirely lose proof that otherwise would have escalated your case to success. Instead call us at (937) 230-8330 now.

Experience in Challenging Premises Liability Cases

Due to the complex nature of slip-and-fall accidents, immediately involving an attorney can be beneficial. It is important to document the state of the accident scene as accurately as possible, whether by taking photos, collecting witness accounts, or even visiting the scene again if possible.

We strive to prove that the property owner either knew about the hazardous condition that caused your fall, should have known about it, or caused it. We will assert that you acted as any reasonable person would have given the situation and that your actions neither caused nor contributed to the fall.

Fighting for the Maximum Amount of Damages

We are committed to seeking justice for accident victims across Ohio. Damages can provide financial relief for medical expenses, lost wages, property damage, and pain and suffering. When the insurance company refuses to pay what you are due, we are not afraid to take the case to court.

Get Compassionate Legal Counsel on Your Side

We will leverage our 40+ years of combined experience and long track record of substantial success to fight for you. With office locations around the greater Dayton area, you can meet our award-winning team where it is convenient for you. If you are too injured to leave your home comfortably, then we can arrange to visit you instead.

Slip & Fall Accident FAQ

  • I was hurt at my family member’s house, but I don’t want to sue them – what do I do?
    Many people do not want to file a slip and fall accident when it happens on the property of a friend or family member. They think, “I don’t want to sue my loved one.” It is important to realize you are not suing them. You will be filing a claim against their insurance company, which will not have any concern for your wellbeing one way or another. Insurance companies exist to pay claims, so you might as well put your friend’s company to good work by exploring your legal options after a slip and fall accident on their property.
  • What if the slip and fall happened on a rental property?
    When a slip and fall accident happens on a rental property, figuring out who is liable can be a little tricky. It all depends on where the accident happened and why. Generally, if you slip inside the rented property, then you can file a claim against the tenant’s rental insurance provider. If you slip or trip in a common area – walkways to buildings, laundry rooms, etc. – then you can file a claim against the complex instead.
  • What if the slip and fall happened on public property?
    Suing for a slip and fall accident on public property might be the most complicated of these case types. Public entities are usually protected by strong liability rules and regulations. Lawsuits against public entities or government bodies are also bound by brief statutes of limitations in most situations. For example, you could have as little as 30 to 90 days to explore your legal options and file a case if you tripped over a manhole that the local department of sewage failed to install correctly. The first rule of suing for a fall on public property is that you should call an attorney the same day.
  • Who pays my medical bills if I can’t afford them?
    When you can’t afford to seek medical treatment after a slip and fall accident, it can jeopardize your wellbeing and the future of your claim. To take action and take care of yourself, you should talk with our Dayton slip and fall accident attorneys right away. We might be able to arrange for you to get medical treatments via medical liens. A doctor who agrees to see a patient using a medical lien does not need to be paid for their services until after any related claims or lawsuits conclude. If the case is a success, then they are paid out of the settlement or award.