Webster Groves Slip and Fall Lawyer

Webster Groves Slip and Fall Attorney

There is a reasonable expectation of safety when you are on public premises or on someone’s private property. When you are injured, and it happens because the property’s owner failed to address a known safety hazard, it can be especially upsetting. In this circumstance, you likely can pursue compensation in a premises liability case. A Webster Groves slip and fall lawyer can determine if you were owed a duty of care and if that duty was breached.

It’s important that you work with the right attorney to protect your interests. Premises liability cases are complex, and there are many cases where property owners are protected from liability. At The Cagle Law Firm, we have spent decades working in personal injury cases, including cases against negligent property owners. We know how to address these cases, determine if you have a case, and obtain the compensation that you are owed.

Whether you were injured on a business’s property, on someone’s private property, or on public government property, our firm can help. We can hold their insurance carriers liable when the property owner has a responsibility to prevent you from being harmed. Our team works to get the financial recovery you must have to heal and move forward with your life.

What Are Common Property Hazards in Slip-and-Fall Accidents?

There are numerous ways that slip-and-fall and other types of premises liability injuries can occur. Some of the most common property hazards include:

• Uncleaned spills on the floor or slippery floors.
• Debris or tripping hazards like wires and cords on the floor.
• Broken glass.
• Electrical hazards, such as overloaded outlets, exposed wiring, or fallen power lines.
• Dimly lit hallways, stairways, and other paths.
• Shifting, ripped, or loose carpeting.
• Uneven floor levels.
• Unstable or unsupported scaffolding or higher floor levels.
• Improper safety railings on stairs, balconies, landings, or other locations.
• Inadequate grounds security.
• Unsecured objects that are heavy or placed in high locations.
• Improperly maintained equipment or machinery.

Depending on the circumstances of the injury and whether the hazard was or should have been noticed by the property owner, they may be accountable for the resulting injuries.

What Are Common Premises Liability Injuries?

While some people may hear the term slip-and-fall and presume that the injuries are not that serious, the injuries have the potential to be catastrophic. Some of the common injuries in premises liability accidents in Webster Groves are:

• Contusions.
• Lacerations and puncture wounds.
• Dislocations, sprains, and strains.
• Fractures.
• Burns.
• Electrocution.
• Vision or hearing loss.
• Facial injuries, including dental damage.
• Internal organ damage.
• Traumatic brain injuries.
• Neck and back injuries.
• Spinal cord damage, including paralysis.

The severity of a premises liability injury can depend on what the hazard was, the environment nearby, the height of a fall, and the health of the individual who was injured.

Types of Visitors in Premises Liability Law in Missouri

Property owners are responsible for fixing hazards or warning about the hazard if they can’t fix it. The level of care a property owner owes to an individual depends on the type of visitor, including whether that person is legally on the premises or not.

1. Invitee. Property owners owe invitees the highest duty of care, and they are people explicitly invited for the benefit of both the invitee and the property owner. Property owners must warn of or prevent hazards that they should reasonably know about, as well as hazards they know about.
2. Licensee. Licensees have implied permission to be on a property. Property owners must warn licensees of hazards that they know about.
3. Trespasser. Property owners do not have a duty of care to warn trespassers of hazards but cannot intentionally harm them. There are some exceptions to this guideline.

Property owners also have unique liability levels depending on whether they are a homeowner, a governmental property owner, or a commercial property owner.

FAQs About Webster Groves, MO Slip and Fall Laws

How Much Are Most Slip-and-Fall Settlements?

Every slip-and-fall settlement is unique because each is reliant on the person’s specific injuries, as well as other factors about their case. When you suffer more serious injuries, you often have greater financial costs and losses, as well as more non-economic losses. The value of a slip-and-fall settlement also relies on:

• The property owner’s duty of care to you.
• How long your injury is expected to affect you.
• The supportive evidence in your case.
• How much fault you have for the accident.
• Whether you work with an attorney and their skill.

How Does a Slip-and-Fall Lawsuit Work?

A slip-and-fall lawsuit can be pursued when you were injured on someone’s property because of a hazard they failed to address. The exact conditions of your case could vary depending on the type of property owner and what level of duty of care they owe to you. A property owner could be held accountable for a hazard even if they didn’t know about it but should have if they had checked their property. If they are liable, you can recover your financial losses from the injury.

Why Are Slip-and-Fall Cases Hard to Win?

In slip-and-fall cases, you must prove the property owner is liable, which can be challenging. Unlike criminal cases requiring proof beyond a reasonable doubt, you only need a preponderance of the evidence, showing it is more likely than not that negligence caused your injury. Property owners may also argue the hazard was open and obvious, shifting blame to you. An experienced attorney can help counter these defenses and build a strong case to meet the required standard.

What Is the Statute of Limitations on Slip-and-Fall in Missouri?

The statute of limitations for slip-and-fall injuries in Missouri is five years in most premises cases.  However, it can be much shorter if you are injured on a public, state or governmental property. The statute of limitations begins from the date of the injury, and if it expires, you lose your ability to recover compensation, no matter the merits of your case.

The statute of limitations can also vary depending on the property owner you are filing against. If it is a public governmental building, you must provide the municipality with a notice within 60 to 120 days after the incident, depending on where the accident occurred.

Legal Representation from The Cagle Law Firm

When you have suffered an injury because a property owner was careless with your safety, you may be able to hold their insurer liable. The attorneys at The Cagle Law Firm can help you with these complex cases, working to obtain the compensation you are owed. Contact our firm today.