Baton Rouge Slip and Fall Lawyer

Baton Rouge Slip & Fall Attorney

Slip and fall accidents happen when someone’s negligence causes another person to slip and fall. These accidents can range from a small spill to a full-blown accident. Slip and fall accidents can result in everything from minor scrapes and bruises to debilitating injuries, including spinal cord damage, traumatic brain injury, and other catastrophic injuries. Working with a Baton Rouge slip and fall lawyer can help you recover damages you may be entitled to.

If you were injured due to a slip and fall accident, a personal injury lawyer at Day Law Group can help you understand your rights and hold the responsible parties accountable. We can walk you through the legal process and help you recover the compensation you deserve. No matter the severity of your injuries, you may be entitled to file a personal injury claim against the party or parties responsible for the accident under premises liability.

If you were injured in a slip and fall accident, call our team at 225-200-0000 or contact us online to schedule a free consultation.

What Causes Slip & Fall Accidents?

Most slip-and-fall accidents are caused by negligence. Negligence occurs when someone does not exercise the care they should in a given situation. Slip and fall accidents are often caused by a person or business failing to clean up a spill, leaving a dangerous object in an area that would be reasonably expected to have people walk through it, or by failing to put a warning sign up to alert people of a hazard.

The Basics of a Slip and Fall

According to the National Safety Council, 35% of preventable injuries in 2023 were due to a slip and fall. In 2021-2022, there were a total of 560,130 slip-and-fall events in the workplace alone. Louisiana law holds property and business owners responsible for failing to keep their spaces safe. This legal idea is called premises liability. It covers private homes, businesses, and public areas. When someone slips or falls because of a hazard, the owner may be liable.

To hold someone responsible, the injured person must prove that the owner either knew about the danger or should have known. This is where many cases are won or lost. A wet floor with no warning sign or other hazards can lead to a valid claim. However, this only applies if the owner has time to fix the problem.

Filing a Claim in Baton Rouge

The state gives injured people two years from the date of the fall to file a claim. The time limit is short compared to other states. Missing that deadline can block a person’s chance to recover anything.

The clock usually starts on the day the fall happened. There are a few exceptions if the injured person was a minor or didn’t find out about the injury right away. But these are usually rare. To protect a claim, it helps to act soon and keep records from the start.

Proving Fault and Building a Case

Slip and fall cases rely on strong evidence. Each piece helps show that the owner failed to keep the area safe. A few ideas include:

• Photos of the scene. A picture taken right after the fall can capture what caused the injury. This is harder to dispute than a memory described later.
• Medical records. A doctor’s note can link the injury to the fall. They can also prove that the injury was real and that it was directly connected to the injury.
• Witness statements. If someone saw what happened, their version of events can add weight to the claim. Even short comments from others nearby can help.
• Incident reports. Businesses often write up what happens when someone falls. These reports sometimes document important details. If you fall at work, a workers’ compensation claim can also help. In 2021-2022, employees missed an average of 10 days of work due to a slip and fall.
• Video footage. If a camera recorded the fall, it could show exactly how it happened. This often makes a big difference. It can add more evidence if the property owner denies fault.

Strong cases often combine several types of evidence. They don’t rely on just one thing. Working through the details of your case with your Baton Rouge attorney can help identify a legal strategy that can prove the negligence of others while working to regain the financial impacts you or a loved one may have suffered.

Comparative Negligence

A person can still recover damages even if they were partially at fault. In Baton Rouge, this is called comparative negligence. A court can reduce the amount awarded based on how much the person contributed to their own injury.

An example includes if someone walked while looking at their phone and missed a warning sign. The court may say that the person shared some fault. If the court decides the person was 30% at fault, the total compensation is reduced by 30%. Your attorney will advise you on how this rule may impact your case.

Recovering Damages in a Slip & Fall Accident Claim

If you were injured in a slip and fall accident, you can seek compensation for your medical bills, lost wages, and pain and suffering. In most cases, you will be able to recover compensation for all of these damages. Pain and suffering can be difficult to prove, but it is a very real consequence of a slip and fall accident. You may be unable to go back to work, have trouble sleeping, and be in constant pain. This all results in you not being able to live your life the way you used to.

At Day Law Group, we know how to effectively prove that you have been impacted by your slip and fall accident. We will work to prove that you have been impacted by your injuries and that you should be compensated for your pain and suffering.

What to Do After a Fall

Try to take pictures of what caused the fall. If someone saw what happened, ask for their name and contact information. If the fall happened at a store or business, ask the manager for a written report.

It can be tempting to try to talk with the property owner right away. Speaking to them or their insurance companies can hurt the claim later. Instead, gather facts and focus on recovering. An attorney can handle these details at the same time.

Why Do I Need an Attorney?

Slip and fall claims can be harder to prove than they seem. Property owners often deny fault or blame the injured person. Getting legal help early can make a difference in how the case moves forward.

An attorney can review the facts and build a strong claim. They can deal with the other side on your behalf. Legal professionals are experienced in collecting records and handling insurance companies. They can also explain your options without pressure.

If the injury caused lost work or large medical bills, it may help to speak with a lawyer soon. This can prevent you from missing deadlines. Important evidence fades over time.

FAQs

Q: Can You Win a Slip and Fall Case?

A: You can win a slip-and-fall case. It depends on several factors. The most important thing is proving that the property owner acted carelessly and that this carelessness caused the injury. Just being hurt on someone’s property doesn’t make the owner liable. The injured person should have to show that a dangerous condition existed.

Q: What Types of Damages Can I Recover in a Slip and Fall Case?

A: The types of damages you can recover in a slip and fall case include several things. It includes claims for medical bills, lost income, and pain caused by the injury. Some people recover costs for physical therapy if the injury is severe. If the fall leads to missed work, the lost pay can be included in the claim.

Q: What Evidence Is Helpful in Proving a Slip and Fall Case?

A: The evidence that is helpful in proving a slip and fall case includes both visual and written evidence. Photos taken right after the fall can show the condition that caused the injury. Medical records are also useful to connect the accident to the injury. Statements from people who saw what happened may help explain how the fall occurred.

Q: Do Slip and Fall Cases Go to Trial?

A: Slip and fall cases sometimes go to trial. Many claims settle before reaching a courtroom. That said, some cases do go to trial. This happens when the property owner denies fault or when both sides can’t agree on fair compensation. If a trial happens, having an attorney can help you prepare.

Baton Rouge Slip and Fall Lawyer

If you were injured in a slip-and-fall accident, you should not try to navigate the legal system on your own. Your recovery could be at stake and you need an advocate on your side. At Day Law Group, we know how to effectively represent you in a slip and fall accident case. Our team can help you prove that you were injured and that you should be compensated for your injuries. Schedule a consultation with Day Law Group for help filing a claim after a fall.

To learn more about your legal options, contact us online or call us at 225-200-0000 today.