Slips and falls can cause serious injuries, including head trauma, spinal cord damage, fractures, and painful soft tissue injuries. If your injury happened because the property owner failed to keep their premises in a safe condition, you may have the right to compensation for the harm you have suffered. The Law Office of Edward W. Sampson takes a compassionate and dedicated approach to each case. We rely on over 25 years of legal experience to help us recover the compensation you are due. Contact us or call (214) 220-8863 today for your free consultation.
Why You Should Work With The Law Office of Edward W. Sampson For a Slip and Fall Claim
If you’ve been injured in a slip and fall, the best way to make sure you get the compensation you deserve is to work with a personal injury lawyer. Working with the Law Office of Edward W. Sampson for your slip and fall claim offers several compelling advantages:
Extensive Experience: With over two decades of experience handling personal injury cases, including slip and fall claims, the Law Office of Edward W. Sampson has a deep understanding of the legal complexities involved in these types of cases.
Board Certification: Attorney Edward W. Sampson is board-certified in Personal Injury Trial Law by the Texas Board of Legal Specialization, demonstrating the firm’s expertise and commitment to excellence within this field.
Free Consultation: We offer a free initial consultation to discuss your case and assess its merits thoroughly. This gives you an opportunity to share details about your situation and get expert advice regarding your next steps. You will also get a feel for our style and can determine if you feel comfortable working with us.
No Win, No Fee: When you work with us, you never have to worry about the financial risk of initiating a claim. Our office takes the approach of “no win, no fee” and you only pay us if you get paid. You are never responsible for any money upfront.
For help with your claim, don’t hesitate to contact us to schedule your free consultation.
Why You Need a Slip and Fall Lawyer
There are several essential steps a slip and fall lawyer can take to assist victims in their cases, including the following.
Case Evaluation: Your lawyer will conduct a thorough evaluation of the case, including gathering evidence such as accident reports, photographs of the scene, witness statements, and any available surveillance footage.
Gathering Medical Records: Medical records are the crux of any personal injury case, as they show that you are injured and should be entitled to compensation. Your attorney will collect medical records related to the injuries sustained in the slip and fall incident, which include diagnoses, treatment plans, prognosis, and medical bills.
Establishing Liability: This is perhaps one of the most critical stages for any personal injury claim, including slip and fall cases. An experienced lawyer will thoroughly review the facts, and evaluate evidence from accident reports, surveillance footage if available, witness testimonies, and any other relevant evidence to establish whether negligence on the part of property owners or managers caused or contributed significantly to your injuries.
Most Common Causes of Slips and Falls
Many slip and fall cases occur because the owner or manager of the company does not properly maintain the property and someone is injured as a result. The following make up many of the most common causes of slips and falls:
- Spilled liquids that are not quickly cleaned up
- Broken or uneven pathways
- Wet entryways when rain, sleet, or snow are cleared up
- Loose objects on the floor
- Torn, ripped, or worn carpets or rugs
- Sudden changes in the elevation of different flooring materials
- Loose or broken tiles
- Lack of lighting to spot potential hazards
- Unguarded or unmaintained swimming pools
- Lack of or broken handrails
- Poorly maintained properties
How to Prove Liability for a Slip and Fall Accident
To recover compensation for a slip and fall accident, you must show that the property owner had a duty to keep their property in a safe condition, failed to uphold that duty, and you were injured as a result. The duty that a landowner has to a person depends on their legal status. For example, there is a higher standard assumed for customers of a business than there is for someone who is trespassing on the property. Depending on the legal relationship, the property owner may have the duty to:
- Avoid taking any intentional action to injure visitors on the property
- Warn visitors about hazards they know about on the property
- Correct dangerous conditions on the property
- Regularly inspect the premises for possible hazards and correct them
To establish your claim, your Plano spinal cord injury lawyer will try to gather compelling evidence to support your case, such as:
- Photos from the accident scene
- Surveillance footage
- Property records
- Accident reports
- Witness statements
- Medical records
What to Do If You Are Hurt in a Slip and Fall Accident
If you were hurt in a slip-and-fall accident, there are steps you can take to protect your health and legal claim, including:
- Report the accident – Report the accident to the manager of the property to ensure there is a record of the incident.
- Call 911 – If you are injured, call 911 for help. An ambulance can be sent to transport you to an emergency room, and paramedics can help stabilize you.
- Document the accident scene – Take pictures of the accident scene and note the presence of any surveillance cameras. If you are unable to do this yourself, ask someone nearby to take the pictures for you.
- Follow your doctor’s orders – Follow all of your doctor’s orders, including restrictions on work and other activities.
- Talk to a lawyer – A Plano personal injury lawyer can advise you on your rights and the next steps in the process.
Compensation for a Slip and Fall Accident Injury
Texas law allows you to recover compensation for the losses you suffer, which may include:
- Past medical expenses and future anticipated medical treatment
- Lost wages and earning capacity
- Loss of household services
- Home modifications to accommodate your injuries
- Loss of enjoyment of life
- Loss of companionship
- Pain and suffering and emotional trauma
- Modifications of the home
Punitive Damages
In certain cases, Texas law allows for the possibility of punitive damages. These damages are not meant to compensate the victim for their losses but instead to punish the defendant for exceptionally harmful or reckless behavior. It serves as a deterrent against similarly dangerous actions in the future. They are referred to as exemplary damages:
“Exemplary damages” means any damages awarded as a penalty or by way of punishment but not for compensatory purposes. Exemplary damages are neither economic nor noneconomic damages. ‘Exemplary damages’ includes punitive damages.”
A skilled Plano catastrophic injury attorney can review your claim and determine what compensation may be available.
Contact Our Plano Slip and Fall Attorney for Help
If you slipped and fell because of the property owner’s negligence, you could be entitled to financial compensation for the harm you’ve suffered. The Law Office of Edward W. Sampson can help you demand it. Contact us today or call (214) 220-8863 for a free case review.