Slipping or falling in a store or restaurant can be a harrowing experience, especially if your fall results in serious injury. Unfortunately, things don’t always get better in the aftermath of the incident, and you may face difficulty getting compensation for the damages you incurred. If you’ve found yourself in this situation, consulting a personal injury lawyer is one of the best things you can do for yourself. As you search for a qualified attorney, here are a few questions you’ll need to answer as you work through your case:
Is The Store Owner Or Landlord Truly Liable?
Slipping and falling in a store does not automatically entitle you to compensation. In order to prove that another party is liable for damages in your slip and fall case, you must be able to show that they were negligent in some way. Not only will you have to prove that there were unsafe conditions present (such as a slippery surface), but you will also have to prove that the owner or one of their employees knew of such conditions and failed to take care of the problem.
Were You Careless?
You’ll also need to be sure that your fall wasn’t caused by your own carelessness. For example, did your injury occur in a section of the store or restaurant that you were not authorized to be in? Did the store owner or an employee give fair warning about the hazardous conditions? If so, you may find that your compensation will be greatly reduced or that you may not have a viable case due to your own carelessness.
Which Party Can You Sue?
In a slip and fall case, it’s important that you are bringing a lawsuit against the person who is actually liable for the damages. If the business owner owns the property outright or if your injury is the result of the owner’s negligence, then you’ll probably battling them in court. However, if the business owner is renting space from a negligent landlord who failed to fix a structural issue, then you may be taking the landlord to court.
Because slip and fall cases can be complex, you’ll likely benefit from the help of a personal injury Attorney Easton who can help you navigate the legal system.
