A slip and fall accident could happen at any time. These spills are so abrupt that many people are flat on their back before they realize what has happened. To make matters worse, the injuries from a slip and fall accident are often severe, especially if you hit your head or neck in the fall. Some people who suffer a slip and fall can suffer serious injuries such as broken bones and head injuries that keep them out of work and unable to enjoy some of the most common things of life, such as picking up your child or grandchild. With months of medical treatment and time away from work, your best chance at financial stability may come from hiring a personal injury attorney to file a lawsuit on your behalf.
You deserve to walk in public places like grocery stores or sidewalks without fear of injury. To discuss your legal options, contact a Jefferson County slip and fall lawyer right away. An experienced trial lawyer can work toward obtaining maximum compensation all while holding your needs at the front of a case.
Common Causes of Slip and Fall Accidents
Financial recovery is possible in any case where a property owner failed to secure their premises from slip and fall hazards. While falls occur anywhere, some of the most common causes of these accidents are:
- Wet or icy sidewalks
- Broken or uneven stairs
- Potholes
- Bunched carpets or rugs
- Spilled food or beverages
- Debris in walking paths
Regardless of the cause, you may have a viable claim if a property owner’s failure to secure their premises resulted in your injury. To learn more about the strength of your case, contact a Jefferson County slip and fall attorney with experience.
Stages of a Slip and Fall Lawsuit
Understanding the process of filing a lawsuit is invaluable. The process could take months or even years, and often involves a significant commitment on your part. This your investment of time is worth it if it results in recovering monetary compensation, however. Contact a Jefferson County slip and fall attorney to learn more about what it takes to see an injury case through until the end.
All slip and fall cases begin with the plaintiff filing a petition for damages. A petition sets out the factual allegations surrounding the fall, how the plaintiff believes the defendant was negligent, the injuries suffered and requests a specific amount of damages. After filing the petition, a plaintiff then formally serves the defendant with notice of the lawsuit. The defendant is required to file a response to the petition, where they typically deny the allegations.
The discovery phase is next. Discovery is the process within a lawsuit where the attorneys for each side determine what evidence the other side has about what happened to the plaintiff and what testimony they plan to offer at trial. Discovery streamlines the lawsuit process and at times avoids unnecessary squabbles over evidence at trial. Attorneys conduct discovery through responses to written questions, document requests, and depositions.
As trial approaches, the court considers any outstanding pre-trial motions. These motions may involve discovery disputes or even seek to dismiss the lawsuit entirely. If a pre-trial motion does not conclude the case, trial is then scheduled.
At trial, both sides have their opportunity to present witnesses, demonstrate evidence and argue their positions. Most injury trials are heard by juries, who ultimately determine the at-fault party’s degree of fault in a slip and fall accident. When the jury makes their decision, the judge announces the verdict.
Both parties have the right to appeal after a trial concludes. While the appellate courts do not allow do-overs in every case, some errors by the trial court may be serious enough to warrant a new trial.
Importantly, and if it is more convenient for you, a settlement could be reached at any point during the process Not everyone has the available resources to dedicate to a lengthy trial, and settlement offers could benefit you if you do not wish to dedicate the amount of commitment to a trial.
Discuss your Case with a Jefferson County Slip and Fall Attorney
When unsafe conditions lead to your slip and fall injury, you deserve financial compensation. Contact a Jefferson County slip and fall lawyer for a confidential consultation and learn how we work toward achieving maximum compensation for our case holders.