Hurt in a Fall on Someone Else's Property?

Nashville Slip and Fall Accident Attorney Explains Premises Liability

Slip and fall accidents most commonly happen when property owners fail to address hazards in buildings or on land. Any defective or uneven walkways, loose railings or simple clutter can be tripping hazards. While these accidents may not seem serious, some slip and fall injuries can affect the rest of your life. However, in many cases, victims of slip and fall accidents may be able to hold the property owner responsible for their medical bills and other damages through a premises liability lawsuit.

Nashville attorney Stanley A. Davis has been representing personal injury victims in Tennessee for nearly 20 years. As a Board Certified Civil Trial Specialist, he will fight for your right to compensation all the way to the courtroom, if necessary. Through his work as a slip and fall accident attorney, Stanley has obtained many favorable verdicts and settlements for victims throughout the state. In one case involving a woman who fell at a restaurant in Davidson County, Stanley was able to obtain a settlement that covered all of her medical expenses and included compensation for the pain caused by her injuries.

What are the Most Common Causes of Slip and Fall Accidents?

Everyone trips or slips sometimes, but many slip and fall accidents are entirely preventable. These kinds of accidents are caused by negligent property owners who fail to maintain a reasonably safe environment. Often, these accidents happen at businesses such as restaurants and stores. However, slip and fall accidents are also common in parks, workplaces and even private residences.

The most common causes of slip and fall accidents include:

• Slippery floors. Restaurants and stores must promptly clean up spills and puddles to prevent slip and fall injuries. Otherwise, they must clearly mark the area with signs to urge caution.
• Uneven walkways. Defects in a floor, walkway or parking lot can cause dangerous falls. If a floor or surface presents a risk of tripping a visitor, the property owner must repair the hazard.
• Faulty stairs. Slip and fall accidents that happen on stairs are often particularly dangerous due to the distance you may fall. Brain and spinal cord injuries are common results of a fall caused by uneven or broken stairs.
• Poor lighting. Dim or inadequate lighting in a hallway, stairwell or other area can hide otherwise obvious and avoidable hazards.
• Nursing home neglect. Slip and fall injuries are a particular danger for nursing home residents, who may be unsteady on their feet. Without adequate supervision and assistance, an elderly person may fall out of bed or lose his or her balance. The resultant injuries, which commonly include hip fractures and traumatic brain injury, can be life-threatening.
• Objects in the walkway. Often, clutter causes slip and fall accidents, especially if poor lighting is also present.
• Poor weather. Many slip and fall accidents occur outside due to poor weather conditions. While no one can control the rain and snow, businesses still must take steps to clear their outdoor walkways and parking lots.

Who is Responsible for My Slip and Fall Injuries?

Property owners have a responsibility to keep their buildings and land safe for guests and others who may visit. Thus, if you sustain slip and fall injuries, you may be able to file a premises liability lawsuit against the property owner. However, to do so, you must have proof that the owner was negligent in some way.

In general, the property owner is liable for slip and fall accidents if one of the following is true:

• The owner or an employee of the owner caused the hazard. For example, a restaurant owner would be responsible for your slip and fall injuries if the cause of your accident was a drink spilled by a waiter.
• The owner or an employee knew about the hazard, but did not fix it adequately or promptly. This includes failure to post warning signs until repairs are complete. For example, if a grocery store employee mops up a spill but fails to set out wet floor signs, resulting in a fall, the store owner may be liable for the damages.
• The owner or an employee reasonably should have known about the hazard, and failed to repaired it. For example, if a light at a hotel has been faulty for several weeks and you fall as a result, the hotel owner may be liable for your injuries.

Although the property owner is typically liable, it is important to act quickly if you believe you have a claim. If you file after the expiration of the statute of limitations in Tennessee, then you may not be able to recover any compensation. Additionally, the business’s legal counsel may contact you soon after the incident; however, you should always speak to your own lawyer before giving a statement.

Learn More in a Free Consultation with a Tennessee Slip and Fall Accident Attorney

If you are considering filing a premises liability lawsuit for injuries you sustained when you slipped and fell on someone else’s property, contact Nashville slip and fall accident attorney Stanley Davis. He can answer your questions, explain the evidence you need and represent you in insurance negotiations or the courtroom.

Stanley offers complimentary, no obligation initial consultations as well as contingency fee arrangements. This means that you pay him nothing unless he obtains a favorable settlement for you.

Call his Nashville personal injury law firm today or contact him online to schedule your free case review.