Slip & Fall Lawyer
Virginia property owners owe a legal duty to keep their properties maintained and free of hazards. If there is an unsafe condition, they must take steps to remedy the issue – and, at the very least, warn guests of the potential hazards. For instance, a supermarket owner must direct employees to mop up spills immediately and place a visible “wet floor” sign to indicate the danger. If you have been hurt on someone else’s property and suspect that negligence on the part of a property owner or manager may have been to blame, contact a knowledgeable and experienced personal injury lawyer at Rutter Mills for a no-cost, no-obligation consultation today.
Plaintiffs in a slip and fall accident commonly pursue damages related to medical bills, lost time off work, and the emotional trauma of a long recovery period.
Do You Need A Slip and Fall Lawyer?
A slip and fall accident can be traced back to property owner negligence if you’ve been injured on:
- Accumulations of ice, snow, or water
- Broken handrails or stairs
- Cluttered walking areas
- Damaged flooring
- Exposed tree roots
- Fallen merchandise
- Improper signage
- Poor lighting
- Ripped or torn carpeting
- Uneven sidewalks
- Unmarked wet floors or pools of liquid
These and other dangerous conditions can lead to slips, trips, and falls. Not every situation warrants liability, but if you have suffered catastrophic injury resulting in high medical bills, it’s worth investigating.
What a Slip and Fall Attorney Can Do for You
Property owners are generally well-insured, and these insurance companies are out to settle with you as quickly, quietly, and for as little money as possible. While you can try to file a slip and fall lawsuit on your own, it is not recommended due to the complexity of fighting for maximum compensation in these cases.
A slip and fall attorney can:
- Hire a team of investigators to discover exactly what happened prior to the accident.
- Construct a compelling legal argument backed by substantial evidence.
- Handle all paperwork, as well as pay upfront filing fees and expenses related to your lawsuit.
- Take depositions, hire medical experts, and secure witness testimony on your behalf.
- Negotiate with insurance companies and defendants on your behalf in settlement talks and court.
- Help you ensure the court agreement gets enforced as it was settled.
Slip and Fall Injuries
It can be difficult to ascertain just how much of an injury you sustained in a slip-and-fall, so it’s a good idea to be seen by your health care professional right away if you’ve had a fall. What seems like “soreness” today could be grounds for a lawsuit tomorrow.
More serious slip-and-fall injuries commonly involve:
- Back and spinal cord damage
- Brachial plexus shoulder injuries
- Deep lacerations requiring stitches and likely to scar
- Fractures of the hip, spine, arm, ankle, pelvis, and hand
- Hip fracture or displacement
- Sprains to the knee or ankle, and
- Traumatic brain injuries and concussions.
If your injuries required casting, surgery, or more than three months of recovery, the likelihood of formulating a strong slip-and-fall claim is very good. It’s a good idea to keep all your medical documents in one folder, along with photographs and a diary of how you’re physically and mentally feeling each day.
Choose a Slip and Fall Attorney Who Understands Virginia Law
The statute of limitations in Virginia is an important consideration when it comes to filing a slip and fall claim. Generally, you have two years from the date of the accident to file your claim for compensation. In some cases, you may be allowed more (like if you’re suing for property damage), or you may have less (notably when suing a government entity). If your case falls outside the filing deadline, the opposing party could file a motion to have the case summarily dismissed.
Further, the State of Virginia follows the rule of “pure contributory negligence.” This means a judge must determine the property owner is 100% to blame for your injuries. Otherwise, if you are deemed at least partially to blame, you are barred from recovering anything. For this reason, you need a strong, confident slip and fall attorney who can argue against an adversarial defense.
Your Lawyer Matters
Choose a slip and fall attorney Virginia trusts. We are proud to serve the Hampton Roads region for over 50 years. As a successful, established law firm, we can afford to offer free case reviews, as well as legal representation at no upfront cost to our clients. You have nothing to lose and everything to gain by contacting a personal injury attorney from Rutter Mills to investigate your claim.
“Nothing makes you feel more vulnerable than being hurt or ill. And nobody likes to ask for help. But when you need it most, we’re at our best. We give our clients the confidence and support they need to know they’ll be taken care of – that they’ll get the best outcome possible, even in the face of a very bad situation.”
– Brother Rutter