Slip and Fall Attorney

The National Floor Safety Institute reports that over 1 million visits to the emergency room occur each year due to a slip and fall. If you have been injured due to slipping and falling, the pain you are going through may well be keeping you from the normal activities of daily life. You wonder when you are going to get your life back and who will pay for the medical bills, prescriptions, therapy, and lost time from work. The law offices of Bye, Goff & Rohde are ready to go to work for you.

Whatever the cause of your personal injury, our attorneys stand ready to take your side in a dispute. With over 180 years of combined experience, our team has seen a myriad of accident injuries and can put you in the best position to win against corporate attorneys and insurance companies.

Call (715) 202-5699 or contact us online today to schedule a free consultation.

Common Causes of Slip & Fall Accidents

A slip-and-fall accident refers to an incident where someone slips, trips, or falls on someone else's property due to hazardous conditions, resulting in injury. These accidents commonly occur in public places like supermarkets, sidewalks, restaurants, or private properties.

Several factors contribute to slip-and-fall accidents, including:

• Wet or Slippery Surfaces: Spills, recently mopped floors, or wet weather conditions can make surfaces slippery and hazardous.
• Uneven Surfaces: Cracks in sidewalks, potholes, uneven flooring, loose rugs or carpets, or damaged flooring can cause someone to trip or lose balance.
• Poor Lighting: Inadequate lighting can conceal potential hazards or make it difficult for individuals to see obstacles, increasing the risk of tripping or slipping.
• Lack of Warning Signs: Failure to place warning signs near recently cleaned or wet areas can increase the risk of accidents.
• Weather Conditions: Snow, ice, rain, or other weather-related elements can create slippery surfaces, especially in outdoor areas.
• Improper Footwear: Wearing inappropriate footwear on slippery or uneven surfaces can contribute to slip-and-fall accidents.
• Negligence or Lack of Maintenance: Property owners or managers failing to maintain safe conditions or promptly address known hazards can lead to accidents.
• Clutter or Obstacles: Objects left in walkways or aisles can cause people to trip and fall.

Slip-and-fall accidents can occur virtually anywhere, but there are specific locations where these incidents tend to happen more frequently:

• Retail Stores: Supermarkets, malls, and retail outlets often have polished floors, spills, or cluttered aisles that can contribute to slip-and-fall accidents.
• Restaurants: Kitchens, dining areas, and restrooms in restaurants can have wet or greasy floors, contributing to slips and falls.
• Sidewalks and Streets: Uneven pavements, cracks, potholes, or debris on sidewalks and streets can cause pedestrians to trip and fall.
• Workplaces: Offices, factories, warehouses, and construction sites can have various hazards like loose cables, wet floors, or uneven surfaces.
• Hospitals and Nursing Homes: These places might have polished floors, spills, or inadequate precautions that can lead to accidents.
• Residential Properties: Homes, apartment complexes, or rental properties might have hazards like poorly maintained stairs, loose rugs, or inadequate lighting.
• Public Transportation Areas: Bus stops, train stations, and platforms can be susceptible to slip-and-fall accidents due to weather conditions or inadequate maintenance.
• Parks and Recreational Areas: Wet grass, uneven pathways, or obstacles in parks can contribute to falls.

In essence, slip-and-fall accidents can happen anywhere if the conditions are hazardous or improperly maintained. Vigilance, proper maintenance, and timely hazard identification and rectification are essential to prevent such accidents in various settings.

Proving Liability in a Slip & Fall Claim

Determining liability in a slip-and-fall accident involves assessing several factors to determine who is responsible for the hazardous conditions that led to the incident. To succeed in a slip-and-fall case and establish liability, several elements typically need to be proven:

1. Duty of Care: The property owner or occupier had a legal responsibility (duty of care) to maintain reasonably safe premises for visitors or customers.
2. Breach of Duty: There was a breach of that duty, meaning the property owner or occupier failed to take reasonable steps to address known hazards or should have been aware of them.
3. Notice of Hazard: It needs to be established that the owner knew about the hazardous condition or should have known about it through regular inspection or because it existed for a sufficient amount of time that they reasonably should have been aware of it.
4. Causation: The hazardous condition directly caused the slip-and-fall accident and subsequent injuries.
5. Damages: The injured party suffered actual damages, such as medical bills, lost wages, pain, and suffering, as a result of the accident.

To succeed in a slip-and-fall case, you must gather evidence to support these elements:

1. Documentation: Take photos of the accident scene, the hazardous condition, and your injuries. Report the incident to the property owner or manager and ask for an incident report.
2. Witness Statements: Obtain contact information and statements from any witnesses who saw the accident occur.
3. Medical Records: Seek medical attention immediately and keep records of all treatments received, including diagnoses, prescriptions, and bills.
4. Maintenance Records: If applicable, request maintenance or inspection records to determine if the property owner was aware of the hazard.
5. Proving Notice: Demonstrating that the property owner knew about the hazard or should have known about it often requires thorough investigation and evidence collection.

Establishing liability in a slip-and-fall case can be complex, and laws regarding premises liability vary by jurisdiction. Consulting with a personal injury attorney who specializes in premises liability can be crucial in determining the strength of your case and navigating the legal process effectively.

Trial Mentality

From the day we begin to work for you, our attorneys prepare as though this case will go to trial. The trial mentality benefits you in several ways. The insurance companies are familiar with our firm and understand that we are unafraid to go to trial. They cannot take advantage of you with an unfair settlement offer. At Bye, Goff & Rohde, we prepare for a trial, should it come to that, where most attorneys are prepared to settle. Many lawyers rarely actually go to trial, which leaves them unprepared, but we are comfortable in court.

Our Injury Attorneys Care

We do not represent cases, we represent people, like you. Personal injury attorneys at Bye, Goff & Rohde have been serving Wisconsin and Minnesota for nearly50 years. We believe the best feature of the state is its people. We take the time to listen to you and hear your unique story. Our attorneys are committed to staying in touch with you throughout this process and making sure you understand what we are doing for you and why it matters.

We want to see you get the best result possible for your health and your family’s well-being. This is why we provide an initial consultation at no charge. We will communicate with you clearly from the onset and let you know the strength of your case. We charge no upfront fee, and we will not collect a dime from you unless we are able to win or settle your personal injury case. When you win, we win. We are in this together.

We can also travel to your home in any city throughout the state to address your needs. Demanding justice should not add to your financial strain or burden your family. Bye, Goff & Rohde’s attorneys are committed to working with you, and seeing you through every step of the way. 

Reach out to us for your free consultation.