Slip and fall accidents can cause devastating injuries. The effects of these injuries may linger for years, complicating your life and hindering your ability to earn an income and enjoy your life. When a fall happens due to an unsafe condition on someone else’s property, you may be able to seek compensation for your financial losses. However, recovering the compensation you deserve can be challenging without the help of an experienced Middletown slip and fall attorney.
At The Flood Law Firm, we understand what it takes to build a compelling slip and fall claim. We work with you to learn about the unique circumstances of your fall and investigate the cause of the accident. Our team can outline your legal options for recovering meaningful compensation and begin the process of pursuing the money you need.
Protect your rights. Contact an experienced slip and fall lawyer today. At The Flood Law Firm, we want to help you hold careless property owners accountable for their actions. To get you started down the path toward justice, we offer a free, no-obligation legal consultation. Call our Middletown office today for your complimentary case review.
- Why You Need a Connecticut Slip and Fall Lawyer
- Common Causes of Slip and Fall Accidents
- Where Do Slip and Fall Accidents Happen in Middletown?
- Injuries Caused by Slip and Fall Accidents
- Proving a Slip and Fall Accident Claim
- Compensation Available for Slip and Fall Accidents
- Fighting the Insurance Company for the Money You Need
- How Long Do You Have to File a Slip and Fall Lawsuit in Middletown?
- What To Do After a Slip and Fall Accident
- Contact an Experienced Slip and Fall Lawyer Today
Why You Need a Connecticut Slip and Fall Lawyer
Slip and fall accidents come under the general umbrella of premises liability claims. Premises liability claims allow an individual to hold careless property owners accountable when dangerous conditions on a property cause an accident resulting in injuries.
However, recovering compensation for a slip and fall accident is not always easy. Many accident victims do not understand their rights following a fall, and many injured people feel intimidated and agree to settle for less than the fair value of their claim.
You deserve a skilled Connecticut slip and fall attorney advocating for you. At The Flood Law Firm, we thoroughly review the circumstances of the accident, carefully collect the available evidence, and build a strong case demonstrating why you deserve maximum compensation. You can focus on your recovery worry-free. We will focus on coordinating the specifics of your claim.
Our legal team has a long track record of helping injured accident victims like you recover the money they deserve. We also have a strong track record of assisting other personal injury lawyers or attorneys in other practice areas with injury cases. Regardless of the situation, our team is ready to help.
At The Flood Law Firm, we strive to achieve the best outcome possible for our clients. However, you don’t have to take our word for it. We believe our results speak for themselves. Call us for your free consultation.
Common Causes of Slip and Fall Accidents
Accidents can happen at any time. However, when property owners skirt their responsibility and fail to address safety concerns on their property, accidents are more likely to occur.
Some of the most common causes of slip and fall accidents in Middletown can include:
- Falls on snow or ice
- Wet or slippery flooring
- Spills
- Torn carpets or rugs
- Uneven flooring
- Cracked sidewalks
- Broken tiles
- Pavement defects and potholes
- Unmarked steps
- Broken handrails
- Inadequate lighting
- Exposed cords or wires
- Merchandise or debris that blocks aisles
- Improper signage warning of hazards
Although cold and snowy Connecticut weather contributes to many slip and fall accidents yearly, the state offers some protections to property owners. Connecticut subscribes to the ongoing storm doctrine. The law dictates that some property owners may not be liable for injuries caused by snow and ice when an owner does not have the time to prepare for the storm or correct the dangerous situation.
To learn more about your rights following a slip and fall accident, discuss the details of your situation with a knowledgeable Middletown slip and fall lawyer.
Where Do Slip and Fall Accidents Happen in Middletown?
A slip and fall accident can occur almost anywhere.
Some of the most common locations where dangerous slip and fall accidents tend to occur include:
- Businesses
- Shopping centers
- Grocery stores
- Office buildings
- Malls
- Sports arenas
- Restaurants
- Apartments
- Hotels
- Private homes
- Swimming pools
- Sidewalks and driveways
- Parking lots
All property owners must maintain a safe environment for guests and visitors. If a property owner fails to address safety concerns or allows a hazardous condition to exist without warning people, they may be responsible for resulting injuries.
Injuries Caused by Slip and Fall Accidents
Data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention indicate falls are the leading cause of traumatic brain injury in the United States. Falls can cause significant and life-threatening injuries. At least one in five falls cause a head injury or broken bone.
Some of the most common injuries caused by slip and fall accidents include:
- Traumatic brain injury
- Neck and spine injuries
- Broken bones
- Dislocations
- Facial injuries
- Dental injuries
- Internal bleeding
- Organ damage
- Soft tissue injuries
- Contusions
- Lacerations
- Strains
- Sprains
Falls can cause life-long complications and mobility problems. Before you accept money from anyone, talk to an experienced Middletown slip and fall attorney about your claim. An attorney can review your medical records and prognosis to accurately assess a fair value for your compensation claim.
Proving a Slip and Fall Accident Claim
Proving your slip and fall claim requires evidence. You must demonstrate a property owner’s carelessness and failure to maintain a safe environment. Then you must show that their carelessness resulted in the accident that injured you. Further, you must show that the accident resulted in your financial and other losses.
Without evidence, you may not be able to recover maximum compensation for your injuries. A skilled Middletown slip and fall attorney can help. During your recovery, we will investigate the cause of the accident and gather crucial evidence.
Information that may help strengthen your slip and fall claim may include:
- Incident report
- Medical records
- Photographs and videos from the scene
- Surveillance video
- Witness statements
- Your clothing and shoes from the incident
An attorney will also help solidify your status while visiting another person’s property.
In Connecticut, invitees and licensees have certain legal rights when on another person’s property.
- A person is an invitee if they have the express or implied invitation to enter someone else’s property.
- A person is a licensee when they enter another person’s property for their own purposes, like a salesperson or social visitor.
- A trespasser lacks permission to enter a property. By law, trespassers do not deserve the same duty of care as an invitee or a licensee.
Compensation Available for Slip and Fall Accidents
The value of a slip and fall claim depends on several factors. At The Flood Law Firm, we thoroughly review your situation and consider all the unique circumstances of your claim.
In general, you may pursue compensation for:
- Medical expenses
- Lost wages
- Lost earning capacity
- Out-of-pocket costs
- Emotional distress
- Disability
- Pain and suffering
- Property repair or replacement
At The Flood Law Firm, we take an aggressive stance when attempting to recover the money you deserve. We go head-to-head with insurance companies and know how to combat the tactics they use to diminish the value of your claim. We are also unafraid of preparing a court case when necessary.
Fighting the Insurance Company for the Money You Need
Your first interaction with an insurance adjuster may seem positive. Often, an adjuster takes the time to apologize and attempts to relate to your situation. By building a friendly rapport, the adjuster tries to make you feel confident that the insurer has your best interests in mind.
They don’t. An insurance company is a for-profit entity that answers to its shareholders. They keep profits high by issuing low payouts. Accepting a quick settlement from an insurer is rarely to your benefit.
At The Flood Law Firm, our legal team understands how to negotiate with insurance companies. We use our knowledge and resources to build a compelling claim based on evidence. Next, we take a tough stance and don’t back down when adjusters use intimidation tactics. You deserve fair compensation, not the insurance company run-around. Having an attorney on your side can help increase your chances of recovering the money you need.
How Long Do You Have to File a Slip and Fall Lawsuit in Middletown?
Most insurance claims end in a settlement. However, sometimes a personal injury lawsuit is the most effective way of recovering the compensation you deserve. Connecticut gives accident victims a limited time to file a slip and fall lawsuit against a careless property owner or insurance company. The statute of limitations on premises liability cases allows two years from the date of the fall to file a lawsuit against the at-fault party.
It is vital to file your lawsuit within two years. Filing a lawsuit late means the court can dismiss your case, leaving you with few legal options for recovering the compensation you deserve. Although a lawsuit may not be the first thing you think about when pursuing compensation for a slip and fall accident, talk to an attorney about your situation as soon as possible. Your attorney can keep an eye on crucial deadlines, meaning your options for recovering the money you need stay open.
What To Do After a Slip and Fall Accident
Slip and fall accidents can be frightening. Once the initial shock and adrenaline wear off, you may struggle to cope with painful injuries. You may also feel overwhelmed by figuring out what comes next.
Believe it or not, your actions in the days and weeks following a slip and fall accident can affect your prognosis and your ability to recover fair compensation. Taking the appropriate steps after a fall can protect you and your claim.
Consider the following:
- Seek medical help immediately. You most likely already sought medical attention, but if you didn’t, you should. Falls can cause significant, sometimes fatal, injuries. The symptoms of a significant injury may be obvious, but signs of a head injury can take hours or days to manifest. The sooner you reach out for medical help, the better your prognosis.
- File a report. File an incident report with a manager, supervisor, or property owner. When the report is complete, ask for a copy and keep it with other vital documents related to the accident.
- Document the scene. If you are physically able, document the scene. Take photographs and videos of the area from multiple angles. If you can’t do it right away, enlist our lawyers to do it as soon after the accident as possible.
- Gather information. Exchange information with a manager, supervisor, or property owner. Ask witnesses at the scene for their contact information and a brief description of what they saw.
- Keep your clothes and shoes. After an accident, do not discard or wash your clothes and shoes. Keep them intact and place them in a bag for safekeeping. These items can be crucial evidence in your slip and fall claim.
- Contact a lawyer. Reach out to a skilled Middletown slip and fall attorney as soon as possible. An attorney can protect your rights and handle all communication between you and an insurer. You can focus on your recovery. Your attorney can deal with your claim.
- Stay off social media. Do not post statements or photos about the slip and fall accident online. Insurers and opposing attorneys may use your words against you to diminish the value of your claim. It is best to stay off social media platforms until your attorney resolves your compensation claim.
- Follow your doctor’s orders. For your health, do not skip follow-up medical appointments. Always follow your physician’s treatment plan. If you skip appointments, the insurance company may argue that your injuries aren’t as severe as you claim.
- Keep all bills. Keep all medical bills and receipts related to the slip and fall accident. Pay stubs, out-of-pocket expenses, and medical invoices can help your attorney calculate the value of your claim.
Contact an Experienced Slip and Fall Lawyer Today
A slip and fall injury can change your life. Physical and financial challenges are common and may leave you vulnerable. Before you discuss a settlement with an insurance company, consult with a seasoned Middletown slip and fall attorney at The Flood Law Firm. Our legal team commits to acting in your best interest and offering you the legal advice you need during this stressful time. Reach out to a Middletown personal injury lawyer.
You can request a free case evaluation today by calling our Middletown office at (860) 346-2695 or contacting us online. Our slip and fall injury attorneys take the time to get to know you and find the best path forward for your unique situation. Learn how we can pursue the money you deserve today.
THE FLOOD LAW FIRM - MIDDLETOWN OFFICE
190 Washington St
Middletown, CT 06457
P: 860-346-2695