Utah Slip and Fall Attorney

If you’ve been involved in a slip-and-fall accident in Utah, you might be dealing with more than just physical injuries. The fallout from these injuries can be devastating. Good Guys Injury Law is here to help. We focus on representing victims in slip-and-fall accidents, and we are aware of the complexities of these cases.

Navigating a slip-and-fall claim requires knowledge and experience. Our Utah slip-and-fall attorneys are committed to pursuing the compensation you need to recover from your injuries. Our Salt Lake City slip-and-fall lawyers are ready to fight for you.

Learn more about what to do in a slip-and-fall case below. Always seek medical care for your fall injuries first. Then, contact our Utah slip-and-fall lawyer to schedule a free consultation.

Our Utah Slip and Fall Attorney Can Pursue Compensation on Your Behalf

When you work with Good Guys Injury Law, you get a team that fights aggressively for your rights. We know how to deal with insurance companies that try to minimize your injuries to pay less than you deserve. Our attorneys have a strong track record of winning substantial client settlements and awards.

We handle every case with a personalized approach because we know each slip-and-fall accident is unique. From gathering evidence to negotiating with insurers, we are with you every step of the way.

We will handle every aspect of the slip-and-fall claim process, including negotiations with the insurance company. If you have sustained injuries on someone else’s property, let us review your slip-and-fall accident case.

Understanding Slip and Fall Accidents

Slip and fall accidents can happen suddenly and have major consequences. These incidents often occur when property owners fail to keep their premises safe. Knowing the factors that cause these accidents is important for preventing them and for knowing when you might have a legal case.

Common Causes of Slip and Fall Incidents

• Wet and uneven surfaces. These are the most common causes of slips and falls. If not properly addressed, spills, icy walkways, and uneven flooring can all lead to accidents.
• Poor lighting. Poor lighting can make it hard to see obstacles or changes in the walking surface, increasing the fall risk.
• Clutter and obstacles. Items left in walkways, like cords, tools, or small furniture, can be tripping hazards that lead to serious injuries.
• Lack of handrails and barriers. Stairs and elevated areas without proper handrails or barriers pose a considerable fall risk.
• Improperly maintained property. Cracks in sidewalks, potholes, torn carpeting, and other maintenance failures can cause people to trip and fall.

Typical Locations and Scenarios for Slip and Falls

• Grocery stores and supermarkets. Spills in aisles or produce sections are common and can lead to falls if not mopped up quickly.
• Shopping malls. High foot traffic and various surface types, including slippery floors from cleaning or weather conditions, make malls a hotspot for slip and fall incidents.
• Workplaces. Workers are at a higher risk for falls, especially in industrial or construction settings where debris and slippery surfaces are more common.
• Public sidewalks and parking lots. Cracks, potholes, and ice are frequent hazards that can cause severe falls, particularly if property owners neglect regular maintenance.
• Restaurants and bars. Spills, freshly mopped floors without warning signs, and dim lighting are typical risks that can lead to customer falls.

The Concept of Premises Liability

Premises liability is a legal concept. It holds property owners responsible for incidents, accidents, and injuries on their property. This area of law states that property owners must maintain a safe environment for visitors. If they fail to do so, they can be held liable for any resulting injuries.

Property owners must regularly inspect their property and address hazards promptly. If they neglect this duty and someone is injured as a result, the injured party can pursue a claim for damages.

Our Utah slip and fall attorneys are experts in premises liability law and can help determine if you have a case based on the circumstances of your accident.

Owner’s Duty of Care to Visitors

Property owners owe different levels of care depending on the visitor’s status, such as invitee, licensee, or trespasser. The highest duty is owed to invitees, or those invited to the property for commercial benefit, like customers in a store. These visitors must be kept safe from known dangers and those that could be discovered with reasonable inspection.

Owners must also warn licensees or guests visiting for non-commercial reasons of any non-obvious dangers the owner is aware of. But trespassers receive the least protection under the law, only protection from intentional harm. Our attorneys can help you be aware of how these distinctions may affect your slip-and-fall claim.

Proving Liability in Slip and Fall Cases

• Duty of care. Property owners must keep their premises safe. This includes regular maintenance and promptly addressing known hazards.
• Breach. If a property owner knows about an issue or should have known through reasonable inspections and does nothing about it, this is considered a breach of their duty of care.
• Damages. To claim compensation, you must show that you suffered actual damages from the fall. This can include medical expenses, lost wages, and pain and suffering.
• Causation. You also need to prove that the property owner’s breach of duty directly caused your injuries. This means showing that the hazard on the property was the clear reason for the fall and subsequent injuries.

Types of Injuries Common in Slip and Fall Accidents

• Fractures. Broken bones, especially in the wrists, arms, and hips, are common due to the instinct to catch oneself during a fall.
• Head injuries. Falls can cause severe head injuries, including traumatic brain injuries, which can have lasting effects.
• Spinal cord injuries. A hard fall can damage the spinal cord, potentially leading to paralysis or other severe conditions.
• Cuts and abrasions. Sharp objects or scratchy surfaces can cause cuts and scrapes during a fall.
• Soft tissue injuries. Sprains and strains to muscles, ligaments, and tendons often occur in falls and might not be immediately apparent.
• Dislocations. Shoulder and knee joints can dislocate during falls, leading to severe pain and a need for medical intervention.
• Back injuries. The impact of a fall can cause critical back injuries, including herniated discs and chronic pain.

Compensation for Slip and Fall Victims

You may be owed compensation if you are hurt in this type of accident. This can cover medical expenses, lost pay, emotional issues, and other related costs. At Good Guys Injury Law, we work to make sure our clients win a just settlement.

Our approach involves a detailed assessment of all your injuries and other losses to ensure that every aspect is accounted for in your claim. We negotiate forcefully with the other party’s insurance company to earn a settlement that reflects the true extent of your damages. If needed, we are prepared to take your case to trial. We will fight for the compensation you need. Let us take care of your fall injury claim.

Factors Affecting the Value of a Slip and Fall Settlement

• Severity of injuries. More severe injuries generally result in higher compensation due to increased medical costs and long-term impacts on quality of life.
• Medical expenses. The total cost of medical care, including future medical bills, is a major factor in determining the settlement amount.
• Loss of income. If your injuries force you to miss work or reduce your ability to earn, this lost income will be considered in your compensation.
• Pain and suffering. Compensation for emotional trauma takes into account the emotional distress caused by the injuries.
• Contributory negligence. If you are found partly at fault for the accident, it could reduce the amount of compensation you receive. Utah follows a modified comparative negligence rule where you can recover damages only if you are less than 50% responsible for the accident.

How Good Guys Injury Law Maximizes Your Recovery

At Good Guys Injury Law, we are dedicated to maximizing the recovery for our clients who have suffered from slip-and-fall accidents.

Our experienced attorneys thoroughly investigate every aspect of your case, gathering evidence to build a strong claim on your behalf. We also negotiate diligently with insurance companies to ensure you receive fair compensation.

We also prepare each case as if it will go to trial, which positions us strongly in negotiations and shows the insurance companies that we are serious about getting you the compensation you deserve. Our commitment to detailed preparation and aggressive advocacy means better outcomes for our clients.

FAQs

Should I accept a settlement from an insurance company?

Be careful about accepting the first settlement offer from an insurer, as it often does not fully cover all your damages. Always work with a slip-and-fall attorney to ensure the offer is fair and adequate for your losses.

Why do slip-and-fall accidents happen?

These accidents often happen due to unsafe conditions on someone else’s property, such as wet floors, poor lighting, or uneven surfaces. These hazards can lead to unexpected falls and injuries.

Does a slip-and-fall accident always mean someone was negligent?

Not necessarily. To have a valid claim, it must be proven that the property owner knew or should have known about the problem and did not address it, leading to the accident.

Schedule a Free Consultation With Our Utah Slip and Fall Attorney Today

Don’t wait to seek legal advice if you’ve been hurt in a slip-and-fall incident. Contact Good Guys Injury Law today to schedule a free consultation with one of our experienced Utah slip and fall attorneys.

We are ready to look into your case. We want to evaluate your claim and help you decide what is best for your needs. After you see a doctor, call us! Contact us to schedule a free consultation. Let us help you with the legal process.