Phoenix Slip and Fall Lawyer
Slip and fall accidents are a significant cause of preventable deaths in the U.S. In 2020, about 42,114 people around the country died from slip and fall accidents at work or at home. Those who survive the accidents may also end up with severe injuries and disabilities that are expensive to treat, especially over the long term.
If you’ve been involved in a slip and fall accident on public, private, or business premises, Arizona law allows you to file for compensation, provided you can prove negligence on the property owner’s part. An experienced Phoenix slip and fall attorney is crucial to investigating and obtaining the necessary evidence required for your claim.
Understanding Liability in a Slip and Fall Accident in Arizona
The Arizona laws are specific when it comes to slip and fall accidents. Before negligence can be proven on the property owner’s part, the nature of the injured person’s presence on someone’s property must be established as follows:
- Invitee: An invitee is anyone invited through implied consent to the property for business purposes—for example, someone shopping at a mall or a worker at their business premises.
- Licensee: Anyone invited to a person’s property for non-business reasons, including social occasions. A good example is someone enjoying a barbecue in their neighbor’s home at their request.
- Trespasser: This is anyone who enters someone’s property without their consent. Also known as an intruder.
Once the legal status of an individual on someone’s property is established, the law looks at four key elements to determine negligence in slip and fall cases. These include:
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- Existence of a dangerous condition: If there was a hazardous condition that the property owner knew about and failed to take action on.
- Duty: If the property owner had a duty to maintain the property they own or control such that it keeps people from danger at the time of the slip and fall and failed to do so.
- Notice: If the property owner should have known or knew about the dangerous situation and failed to warn people of it through a sign or otherwise.
- Damages: If the injuries you suffered from your slip and fall were from the dangerous condition within the premises that the owner knows about.
If you’ve been in a slip and fall accident, whether at work, school, someone’s business, or private property in Phoenix, Arizona, a Phoenix personal injury lawyer may be able to help substantiate your claims and obtain compensation for your injuries.
Common Injuries in Phoenix, AZ Slip and Fall Accidents and Their Causes
While slip and fall accidents may seem simple, injuries from this type of accident may be debilitating. Some of the common injuries people incur from slipping and falling on public or private property include:
- Traumatic brain injuries ranging from mild concussions to severe cognitive issues and memory problems
- Broken arms, legs, ankles, and other bones in the body, depending on the complexity of a fall
- Soft tissue injuries, including tendons, ligaments, and muscle injuries
- Neck and back injuries, especially whiplash
- Spinal cord injuries ranging from herniated or bulging disks to severed spines
- Nerve damage, whether sensory, motor, or autonomic nerves
- Internal bleeding that may lead to organ failure
- Dislocations and hip fractures
Such injuries usually occur in dangerous conditions that cause the slip and fall. These include:
- Slippery floors
- Broken pavements
- Ramps or stairs
- Sidewalk obstacles
- Loose carpets and floor tiles
- Electrical cords
- Potholes in driveways and walkways
- Lack of signs to warn visitors of hazards around the property
Even if a property owner argues they’re not responsible for a slip and fall accident, they are still liable for allowing the condition to remain without taking appropriate action, such as warning visitors of the dangerous situation. For example, a store with a slippery floor after cleaning should have signs warning customers of the “wet slippery floor.”
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Steps to Take After a Slip and Fall Accident in Arizona
No one expects to get injuries from slip and fall accidents. If you’re unexpectedly injured in a slip and fall accident, there are various steps you can take to increase your chances of receiving compensation for your losses. These include:
Document the Condition
Take photo or video evidence of the area where your slip and fall accident occurred, including the cause of your slip and fall. Keep this as proof in case the owner tries to cover up the condition’s present state.
Report the Incident
If you’re in a condition to do so, you should report the slip and fall to the property owner or anyone in charge of the premises at the time. They should write an incident report of the accident and give you a copy, especially if it’s a public or business premise.
Seek Medical Attention
Even if your injuries seem minor, it’s always important to see a doctor for proper documentation of your injury. Some injuries may be worse than what meets the eye as they may have delayed symptoms. While at the doctor’s office, obtain the necessary documents for your injury, including photos of the injured area, if possible.
Experienced Phoenix Slip and Fall Lawyers at Feller and Wendt
After you’ve been injured in a slip and fall accident at a public, private or business premise, your first instinct may be to file a lawsuit against the owner. However, you’ll quickly realize slip and fall cases can be tricky to win alone, especially against big establishments.
At Feller and Wendt, our attorneys have experience handling personal injury cases, including slip and fall accidents. They move swiftly and discreetly to obtain the necessary evidence to prove your case for compensation. Even if the case doesn’t go to court, our phoenix attorneys ensure insurance firms give you the best possible deal. You can contact us today at 480.702.2277 or fill out this contact form to book an appointment, and one of our experienced legal team members will be in touch.
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