Premises Liability / Slip & Fall
Slip & Fall Lawyer
What does the term “Slip and Fall” mean?
“Slip and fall” is a legal term that refers to a particular event in personal injury law. Slip and fall claims involve cases in which the injured plaintiff has suffered an accident where they slipped or tripped and fell on a property belonging to another person or entity (who would become the defendant). In cases like these, the defendant may be held liable, (or legally responsible), for the plaintiff’s injuries if the defendant was in some way negligent and breached the duty of care he owed to the plaintiff.
Slip & Fall Case Results
Confidential settlement for a woman who fell down a set of basement stairs in a house that she was not familiar with and was killed instantly. The basement door looked the same as two bedroom doors and a bathroom door in the same area of the house. The woman thought she was entering a bedroom when she pushed open the door. Expert evidence showed that the basement door opened the wrong way, that there was an insufficient landing at the top of the stairs and that the railing did not meet code.
Confidential settlement after suit was filed for a woman who suffered a hip fracture when she was knocked down by a dog in a big-box store. Suit was brought against the store for allowing the dog to run loose. Video showed store employees playing with the dog just prior to the woman’s fall.
Judgment in the amount of $300,000 for a man who tore both rotator cuffs when he slipped and fell on a recently washed set of stairs in a restaurant. Matt also secured insurance coverage for the judgment, successfully taking the case through the superior court and the New Hampshire Supreme Court. Newell v. Markel Corporation, 169 N.H. 193 (2016).
Settlement of $400,000 for a man who suffered serious leg injuries while attempting to remove a dangerous limb above his mobile home. The park owner had refused to remove the limb, though asked repeatedly to do so. Matt brought a negligent action on behalf of the man claiming that the park owner had a duty to remove the dangerous limb. The case settled prior to trial.
Settlement of $325,000 for a woman who suffered multiple arm fractures when a stair railing broke while exiting a building.
Settlement of $275,000 for a woman who tripped over a negligently placed store display and was seriously injured.
Settlement of $250,000 for a man slipping and falling on ice while entering a convenience store and suffering a back injury.
Settlement of $165,000 for an older gentleman who fell on an unmarked stepdown in a store and suffered serious knee and shoulder injuries.
Settlement of $150,000 for a woman who slipped and fell on a wet floor in a department store bathroom and suffered neck and back injuries.
Settlement of $115,000 for a delivery man who slipped and fell on an icy step at a customer’s store.
Settlement of $100,000 for a woman who slipped and fell on a wet floor in a store and fractured her ankle. The fall was caused by negligently placed floormats.
Jury verdict of $100,000 to a woman who fell backwards down stairs when the handle of the door she was attempting to open fell off in her hands.
Settlement of $50,000 for a man who suffered knee injuries when a deck he was on collapsed.
“$300,000 for a man who tore both rotator cuffs when he slipped and fell on a recently washed set of stairs.”
Premises Liability Questions
What kinds of conditions commonly cause slip and fall accidents?
Slip and fall accidents have a wide variety of causes. Common examples are ice and snow, overly waxed floors, bunched up carpeting, electrical cables, spilled liquids, inadequate lighting and defective stairs and handrails.
What are some of the steps I should take immediately after an accident?
Knowledge of what to do immediately after a slip and fall incident is critical to developing your case.
After a slip and fall accident,
- Get medical attention ASAP. This is not only crucial for your safety, but also the first step in building a strong case, because you document the injury.
- If you or a friend are able, inspect the scene and determine what made you fall.
- If you can, take photographs of the scene with your cell phone
- Talk to any witnesses that might have seen you fall and try to get their contact information.
- Put events down in a written official report. If you fell in a store for instance, the company will want your narrative of what happened. Make sure to include all important details. Memories can fade quickly, so write down all pertinent information ASAP.
Contacting an attorney who is an expert at premises liability is a first step, because knowing what to do today can help.
