When a property owner fails to keep their property safe for guests, they can be held financially liable for any injuries that result. This area of law is known as premises liability, and slip and fall accidents are undoubtedly the most common type of premises liability claim.
While many people who are injured in slip and fall accidents are right to think that property owners have an obligation to pay for their medical bills, lost wages, and other damages, a property owner (and especially their insurance company) will usually be quick to claim that your accident was the result of your own negligence. In order to prevail in a personal injury claim for a slip and fall accident, you will have to prove the property owner was somehow negligent and that negligence caused your injuries.
If you suffered severe injuries or your loved one was killed in a slip and fall accident or any other kinds of premises liability claim, do not wait to get legal representation. Robert Wilson & Associates represents residents of and visitors to communities throughout the greater St. Paul area. An experienced attorney will be able to conduct an independent investigation of your accident to recover valuable evidence and help prove the negligence of a property owner. Call (612) 334-3444 or contact us online to set up a free consultation.
Do I Need A Slip and Fall Accident Lawyer?
Slip and fall accidents can happen on both public property and private property. The liable party can vary depending on the specific location and circumstances of the accident, and most victims will usually be contacted very soon after their accidents by an insurance company for the property owner.
An insurer will often inform a victim that a claims adjuster has been assigned to their case, and this claims adjuster will frequently ask victims to provide recorded statements as part of their investigations. You should always refuse to make any recorded statement until you have legal counsel. A lawyer can handle all communications with insurance companies to ensure you do not say anything that damages your claim.
Remember that Minnesota uses a modified comparative fault system for awarding damages in negligence cases. This means that a person cannot recover any damages from a defendant when their negligence exceeds that of the defendant’s. Jury awards can also be reduced by a victim’s contributory negligence, so a person who is awarded $100,000 for a slip and fall accident but is found to have been 10 percent at fault for their injuries will have their award reduced by $10,000 and ultimately receive $90,000. To ensure you receive as much money as possible, you will want a lawyer working your case and preventing insurance from placing any blame on you.
Why Choose Robert Wilson & Associates To Handle My Case?
Robert Wilson & Associates can deal with the insurance company on your behalf. Our firm can immediately step in and make sure that all of your rights are protected.
Robert E. Wilson has more than 35 years of legal experience and was the recipient of the Minnesota Law and Politics Rising Star of Minnesota award. He also received the Medal of Valor for heroism from the Minneapolis Police Department.
Robert Wilson & Associates can negotiate a just settlement that provides for all of your past, present, and future needs. If no acceptable settlement offer is presented, then we will not hesitate to file a lawsuit.
Another advantage of working with our firm is that we handle these cases on a contingency fee basis. In other words, you do not have to pay us anything unless you obtain a financial award.
Types of Slip and Fall Accident Cases We Handle
Minnesota courts have long held that a premises owner is under a legal obligation to keep and maintain their premises in a reasonably safe condition for all entrants who are legally on the property. Importantly, property owners do not owe a duty of care to trespassers who enter a property illegally, with the exception of trespassing children.
The “attractive nuisance” doctrine followed by Minnesota and most other states holds that property owners can be held liable for injuries caused to trespassers who are children when the property owners failed to secure items that were likely to attract child trespassers, such as swimming pools or trampolines. Minnesota also has a Recreational Use Statute that provides immunity to certain property owners who make their land available for public use and have no obligation to warn others of possible dangers.
Another very common kind of issue arising in slip and fall or other premises liability claims concerns landlord-tenant relationships. Landlords in Minnesota do have an obligation to notify their tenants of dangerous conditions that are not obvious.
Some of the most common causes of slip and fall accidents include, but are not limited to:
- Torn floor mats
- Stray electrical cords and wires
- Broken handrails
- Potholes, ice, curbs in parking lots
- Inadequate lighting
- Dirty and/or trash covered floors
- Cracked or uneven flooring
- Defects in pavement
- Snow and ice
- Wet, slippery flooring
If your slip and fall accident happened in a retail establishment or other public place, you will want to file a report with the manager or other supervisor. You should also ask for a copy of the report to keep for your personal records.
When a slip and fall accident occurs on private property, the victim should make sure they know the property owner’s name and phone number. Victims should avoid getting into arguments about responsibility and simply seek medical attention and then contact a lawyer.
Many types of injuries can result from premises liability claims. Some of the most common include, but are not limited to:
- Soft tissue injuries
- Internal organ damage
- Neck injuries
- Fractures
- Lacerations
- Paralysis
- Traumatic brain injuries (TBIs)
- Sprains
- Pulled muscles
- Spinal cord injuries
In the worst cases, some people suffer fatal injuries as a result of their accidents. Family members of the deceased can file wrongful death lawsuits against the negligent parties responsible in such cases. Through these claims, you can recover compensation for medical expenses, funeral expenses, lost income, lost emotional support, and more.
Contact a Slip and Fall Accidents Attorney in St. Paul
Did you sustain catastrophic injuries or was your loved one killed in a slip and fall accident in the St. Paul area? Make sure that you immediately seek the help of a knowledgeable personal injury attorney so you can recover all of the compensation that you are entitled to.
Robert Wilson & Associates have been listed as Super Lawyers, are members of the Million Dollar Advocates Forum, and were named to the National Trial Lawyers Top 100. You can have our St. Paul personal injury lawyers answer all of your legal questions as soon as you call (612) 334-3444 or contact us online to take advantage of a free consultation.