A person can fall and get injured for a variety of reasons—icy walkways, uneven pavement, intoxication, and even a bad knee or hip—to name a few. When the accident is the result of another’s negligence, the injury victim may be entitled to compensation for medical expenses, pain and suffering, and lost wages. But proving that someone else is responsible for your injury isn’t always an easy task. Read on for more information about slip and fall injuries and how to prove that another party is liable.
Proving Liability
To prove liability in a slip and fall case, you must be able to show that one of the following two situations contributed to your injury:
- The owner of the property, or an employee of a company, should reasonably have recognized the hazardous condition, such as an icy walkway or uneven pavement, and repaired the problem, but failed to do so.
- The owner of the property, or an employee, caused the hazardous condition (i.e. spilled a slippery substance on the floor of a grocery store) and should have reasonably foreseen that someone could be injured if the condition wasn’t removed or repaired.
If, for example, you slipped on a substance that had been spilled only moments earlier, and a wet floor sign had been placed beside the spill while an employee went to get cleaning supplies, you may have a difficult time proving negligence. A Boston slip and fall attorney can help you determine how to proceed if you’ve been injured due to another’s negligence.
Important Questions to Consider
In order for a slip and fall case to be successful, the responsible party must have failed to act in a manner that a reasonable person would have acted in under the same or similar circumstances. To determine this, you should ask yourself the following questions:
- Did the dangerous condition exist for a long enough time that a reasonable person could have removed or repaired it (consider the spilled substance example above)?
- Did the owner of the property perform routine checks and maintenance on the property? If so, did he/she keep a log?
- Was there a justifiable reason for the hazardous condition, and was it still present at the time of the accident?
- Could the potential danger have been lessened with preventive measures, such as blocking access to the area or placing warning signs next to the hazard?
- Did poor lighting contribute to the accident?
The above questions can help you and your attorney determine whether or not negligence played a role in your injuries, and who may be liable. A MA slip and fall lawyer can help you recover damages if you’ve been injured due to another’s negligence.
Helpful Tips
In addition to the questions above, you can improve your chances of success by following the tips below:
- Take pictures of the scene of the accident. If you are unable to do so, ask if a witness can help. Photograph anything that contributed to the accident, such as a wet floor or debris in a walkway, and any injuries.
- Ask witnesses for their contact information. If you decide to file a lawsuit, witness testimony can be invaluable to your case.
- Write down everything that happened before you forget the details. Memories fade surprisingly fast.
- Seek medical attention immediately following the incident. An official medical record will help to substantiate your claim.
Altman & Altman, LLP—Personal Injury Law Firm Serving Boston and the Surrounding Areas
If you have been injured due to another’s negligence, the skilled legal team at Altman & Altman, LLP can help. We have been protecting the rights of accident and injury victims for more than 50 years. It is our goal to get you the compensation you deserve so that you can get on with your life. Don’t go through this difficult time alone. Contact Altman & Altman, LLP today for a free and confidential consultation about your case.