If you were on another's property, at a business, store, or even on a construction site and suffered an injury, you may have grounds for a lawsuit. Many people are uncomfortable talking with a personal injury lawyer after a slip and fall or trip and fall accident. However, these premises liability accidents can result in serious injuries, such as neck or back injuries or joint injuries that cause chronic pain or other health problems. You could spend a significant amount of time away from work and may be faced with expensive medical bills. It makes sense to contact a slip and fall lawyer to discuss your rights.
Our slip and fall attorneys at Copple, Rockey, & Schlecht P.C, L.L.O. have been helping those injured in slip-and-fall accidents for decades. We know how to navigate these difficult types of cases and put in the research and time to ensure that you get the compensation you deserve. If you live in Omaha, Lincoln, Norfolk, or surrounding areas in Nebraska, call us at 402-371-4300 to discuss your case.
Types of Injuries caused by Slip-and-Falls
Slip-and-fall and trip-and-fall injuries can be serious and long-lasting. They often include:
- Broken bones
- Hip fractures
- Sprains, strains, and torn ligaments
- Fractured vertebrae
- Slipped or herniated disks
- Shoulder or knee dislocation
- Traumatic brain injuries
Some injuries don’t produce immediate symptoms. Even if you feel fine after a slip-and-fall accident, it’s in your best interest to seek medical care. Otherwise, the other side may argue that you got hurt sometime before or after the incident. This could negatively affect your claim.
Establishing Negligence in a Slip-and-Fall Case
A slip-and-fall case is part of an overarching branch of law known as premises liability. Premises liability is based upon the requirement that a person, business, or organization is expected to maintain their property to a certain level that keeps it safe.
When a property owner doesn't keep their premises safe and secure, injuries and assaults can happen, including a slip-and-fall accident. Typically, a slip-and-fall or trip-and-fall accident occur because of the following:
- Unsafe stairways
- Unacceptable or missing handrails on stairways
- Wet, slippery, or uneven walking surfaces
- Lack of signage warning about dangerous premises
- Not keeping the property clear of debris, snow, ice, or other hazards
Anytime an injury is the result of a person or business's negligence, you may have legal recourse to file a lawsuit. Don't hesitate to seek help from our attorneys so we can get you compensation for the following:
- Medical bills
- Loss of income
- Loss of benefits
- Rehabilitation
- Pain and suffering
Main Elements of a Slip-and-Fall case
Proving fault in a slip-and-fall case means that a few conditions must be met. In order for someone to be held responsible for injuries sustained during a slip-and-fall accident, one of the following situations must have occurred:
- The property owner was aware of the dangerous condition and did not fix it.
- The property owner should have been aware of the dangerous condition and should have taken reasonable steps to prevent it from injuring anyone who visited the premises.
- The property owner created the dangerous condition that caused the accident.
Of course, other factors are also taken into consideration when determining fault. Some additional main elements of a slip-and-fall case include how long the dangerous condition existed and if your actions contributed to the accident in any way. Our attorneys understand these elements and know how to use them to your advantage when pursuing compensation.
Who can be held responsible for my Slip-and-Fall?
You may think that you are to blame for your slip-and-fall accident. However, the reality could be different. A number of people or entities may be held responsible for your injuries, including:
- Commercial property owners
- Residential property owners
- Landlords and property management companies
- Builders and construction companies
- Service providers such as cleaning and repair companies
- Municipal agencies
In some slip-and-fall cases, multiple parties are liable for damages. That’s why legal responsibility for hazardous property conditions can be difficult to sort out. Contact our attorneys right away so that we can determine who you should file a claim against for compensation.
Types of damages that can be collected in a Slip-and-fall case
Three types of damages can be collected in a slip-and-fall case. Those damages are economic, non-economic, and punitive. Here is a closer look at how they break down:
- Economic damages include medical bills, lost wages, and diminished earning capacity.
- Non-economic damages include pain and suffering and mental anguish.
- Punitive damages and meant to punish the defendant for egregious conduct.
Sometimes, damages are grouped into two categories: compensatory and punitive. Compensatory damages are meant to reimburse you for monetary and non-monetary damages. You can think of them as an umbrella that covers the first two bullet points discussed above. In the case of death caused by slip-and-fall, wrongful death damages may be available. These damages often include funeral and burial expenses, cost of pre-death medical care, loss of financial contribution, and emotional distress of surviving family and loved ones.
How Much Compensation Can Be Collected in a Slip-and-Fall Case?
Generally speaking, compensation in a slip-and-fall case depends on your damages. Damages are the financial and non-financial losses you have suffered due to your injury. A winning case would likely allow you to recover money for things such as your medical bills, lost income, and pain and suffering. Every case is different, but the more severe the injuries and their effect on your quality of life, the more compensation you can expect to collect. Five and six-figure sums are not uncommon in slip-and-fall cases due to the lasting impact of the injuries involved.
Can You Collect Workers’ Compensation for a Slip-and-Fall Injury?
You can collect workers’ compensation for a slip-and-fall injury that happened on the job. In fact, slip-and-falls are one of the most common workplace accidents. According to the National Safety Council, 244,000 people were injured badly enough in falls to miss days of work in 2019. Here are a few steps to take after a slip, trip, or fall at work:
- Notify your employer or supervisor immediately
- Get prompt medical treatment and keep records
- Contact our workers’ compensation attorneys
- File your workers’ compensation claim
- Consider filing a third-party injury lawsuit for additional compensation
Client Testimonial
"Dave Copple and staff are top notch, from start to finish they are on point, caring, and do all they can to make you feel appreciated. Answers all questions immediately, they are truly a caring Law firm. If you ever need the services they provide, do not hesitate and give them a call. Dave and staff, we want to personally thank each and everyone of you for all you did for us! Danny & Carmen Petersen."
Contact Our Slip-and-Fall Attorneys for Help
At Copple, Rockey, & Schlecht P.C, L.L.O., our slip and fall attorneys know how difficult it can be when you're hurt and feel like you don't know what to do for help. We will work quickly to interview medical experts and others involved in the case to present the strongest front possible. Then, we will strive to get the highest compensation possible, either via settlement or by taking your case to trial.
Many firms shy away from going to trial, but our team of Nebraska attorneys puts in so much time preparing for our cases that we don't fear going to trial and have a huge amount of trial experience. Place your trust in our Omaha and Norfolk area attorneys when you need help with your injuries! today by filling out the form on this page or calling 402-371-4300.
