Why Are There More Slip and Fall Cases in the Winter?

Our East Point personal injury lawyers help slip and fall victims all the time. Many of them donโ€™t involve serious injuries. After all, most people in decent shape can take a fall and get right back up. You may end up with a broken wrist or ankle. But, for the most part, youโ€™ll still be okay overall. Depending on the seriousness of your injuries, you may be entitled to damages. The only way to know for sure is to meet with an experienced East Point injury lawyer.

When you meet with your attorney, they will ask you to tell them what happened. Theyโ€™ll ask you a few questions and ask to see any paperwork you have regarding your slip and fall accident. Once they have a chance to review your information, theyโ€™ll have a much better idea of whether you have a claim for damages. If they believe your claim has merit, they will let you know. If, however, they donโ€™t believe you have a chance of being compensated for your fall, theyโ€™ll let you know that as well. These cases can be a little difficult to evaluate because the injuries arenโ€™t usually that severe. Regardless of this, if youโ€™re entitled to damages, our East Point personal injury lawyers will help you pursue them.

Your East Point Injury Lawyer Will Have to Prove Fault, Even in Inclement Weather

Even in South Carolina, the winter can bring some dicey weather. If itโ€™s freezing rain or snowing outside, the sidewalks are going to be slippery. The same is true for parking lots and other public spaces. If you slip and fall while on someone elseโ€™s property, you may have a claim for damages. Of course, it depends on whether the property is owned by a private party or not. It also depends on whether your East Point injury lawyer can prove fault. In order to do this, your attorney must prove negligence.

Negligence is the standard by which almost all personal injury lawsuits are judged. Your East Point injury lawyer must demonstrate the following four elements if you hope to collect damages from the property owner:

  • The property owner owed you a duty of care โ€“ This isnโ€™t difficult to prove. If you fall in a store or restaurant, you are definitely owed a duty of care. All business owners are required to keep their premises clean and safe for guests and visitors.
  • Your attorney must also demonstrate that the defendant breached this duty โ€“ You will have to show that the defendant failed to keep their property safe and clean. For example, if itโ€™s snowing outside and a store owner didnโ€™t keep the entrance to their shop dry, it would be considered a breach.
  • You must show that you suffered an injury โ€“ It isnโ€™t enough to have fallen on someone elseโ€™s property. Your East Point personal injury lawyer must also show that you were hurt. The best way to do this is by submitting a copy of your medical records.
  • You must also demonstrate that your injuries were caused by the defendantโ€™s breach โ€“ You have to be able to show that your injuries were caused by your slip and fall. As long as you go right to the emergency room after your fall, this shouldnโ€™t be hard to prove.

If your lawyer is able to prove all four elements, then you will have a good chance of recovering damages.

slip and fall

Not All Shopkeepers Keep Their Stores Clean and Safe

It can be hard for a shop owner to keep their store clean and safe for customers. It is especially hard to do when itโ€™s cold and rainy outside. Every customer brings in more water on their shoes. People with umbrellas drip rainwater and sleet all over the place. As difficult as it may be, store owners are required to maintain their premises in a safe condition. The manager must make a special effort to put caution signs up and to mop the floors periodically, so nobody suffers a slip and fall.

Parking Lots Can Be Tricky in the Sleet and Snow

If youโ€™re on your way into a store and fall, your East Point injury lawyer may have a claim against multiple parties. For example, you would obviously have a claim against the property owner. But you may also have a claim against the company that is supposed to plow the parking lot. There may be a separate property manager that you can name in the suit. Your East Point personal injury lawyer will make sure all potential defendants are named in your complaint. This way, you can get the compensation you deserve.

If You Do Suffer a Slip and Fall Injury, Call a Seasoned East Point Personal Injury Lawyer

People slip and fall all the time. Usually, these are minor yet embarrassing incidents that we can sweep under the rug. Other times, theyโ€™re a bit more serious. You could slip and fall on your way to work. Or you may be out shopping and slip on a wet floor. Thereโ€™s dozens of ways something like this could happen. If it happens to you and you are seriously hurt, you should call an East Point personal injury lawyer right away.

Our East Point injury lawyers meet with a lot of slip and fall victims this time of year. With bad weather comes wet and slippery floors. This means that shopkeepers may be less likely to keep their floors clean and dry. All it takes is one slippery spot or puddle of water and you can land on your back. If this happens to you, then itโ€™s a good idea to call and schedule your free, initial consultation with one of our East Point injury lawyers. Sit down with someone who knows the law and find out if your claim has merit. If it does, then our firm can help you get the compensation you deserve. The final decision is yours. Our goal is to get you as much money as possible.

Since the consultation is free, you donโ€™t have anything to lose.