River Falls Slip & Fall Attorneys

Filing a Slip & Fall Injury Lawsuit in Wisconsin

Slip-and-fall accidents are a common occurrence in Wisconsin. While some slip-and-fall accidents result in nothing more than a bruised ego, others can lead to serious, life-altering injuries. If you or someone you love was injured in a slip-and-fall accident on someone else’s property, you may be entitled to compensation.

At Bye, Goff & Rohde, our River Falls slip and fall lawyers have been serving the local community for nearly 50 years. We are passionate about helping the injured and the wronged seek justice and the fair recovery they are owed. Our firm has helped thousands of clients recover millions of dollars in compensation for their damages, and we are prepared to fight for you.

Call our office at (715) 202-5699 or online to request a free, no-obligation consultation with one of our River Falls slip-and-fall accident attorneys today.

What is a Slip and Fall Accident?

A slip-and-fall accident is a type of personal injury case that falls under the umbrella of premises liability law. This means that slip-and-fall accidents involve injuries that occur on someone else’s property as a result of the property owner’s negligence.

Slip-and-fall accidents can occur on a variety of properties, including commercial properties, private residences, and public spaces. They can involve a variety of hazards, from wet floors to uneven pavement, and can lead to a range of injuries, from minor bumps and bruises to severe head trauma.

While some slip and fall accidents are genuine accidents, many others are the result of negligence. When a property owner or manager fails to take appropriate steps to keep their premises safe or to warn guests of known hazards, they can be held liable for any injuries that occur as a result.

Common Causes of Slip and Fall Accidents

Slip-and-fall accidents can occur for many reasons, but they are often the result of preventable hazards. Some of the most common causes of slip and fall accidents include:

• Wet or Slippery Floors: Slips and falls are often the result of wet, slippery, or otherwise hazardous flooring. This can include recently mopped floors, spilled liquids, freshly waxed or polished floors, and more.
• Unsafe Stairs: Staircases are a common location for slip and fall accidents. This can include stairs that are uneven, lack proper handrails, or are otherwise unsafe.
• Uneven or Damaged Floors: Slips and falls can also occur when there are hazards such as uneven or damaged flooring. This can include torn carpeting, loose floorboards, potholes, and more.
• Weather-Related Hazards: Slips and falls often occur as a result of weather-related hazards, such as icy sidewalks, snowy walkways, and wet floors caused by tracked-in rain.
• Inadequate Lighting: Poor lighting can make it difficult for people to see where they are walking, increasing the risk of slip and fall accidents.
• Obstructed Walkways: Slips and falls can also occur when walkways are obstructed by cords, debris, merchandise, and other hazards.

Proving Fault in a Slip-and-Fall Case

One of the most challenging aspects of a slip-and-fall case is proving fault. This is because, in order to hold a property owner or manager liable for your injuries, you must be able to prove that they were negligent.

There are four primary elements of negligence in a slip-and-fall case:

• The property owner or manager owed you a duty of care
• The property owner or manager breached their duty of care
• The breach of duty caused or contributed to your slip-and-fall accident
• You suffered actual damages as a result of the slip-and-fall accident

In order to prove that the property owner or manager owed you a duty of care, you must first establish that you were an invitee or a licensee on the property. An invitee is someone who entered the property for the financial benefit of the property owner. This can include customers at a store or restaurant. A licensee is someone who entered the property for their own purposes, but with the property owner’s permission. This can include social guests.

If you were a trespasser on the property, you cannot file a slip and fall lawsuit unless you are a child. Wisconsin law states that property owners must take reasonable steps to protect children from hazards on their property, even if the child is trespassing.

Once you have established that you were an invitee or a licensee on the property, you must then prove that the property owner or manager breached their duty of care. This can include failing to fix a known hazard, failing to warn of a known hazard, failing to inspect the property, and more.

For example, if you were at a grocery store and slipped on a recently mopped floor, you may be able to prove that the property owner breached their duty of care by failing to post warning signs near the wet floor. If you can prove that the breach of duty caused or contributed to your slip and fall accident, you may be entitled to compensation.

Why Choose Bye, Goff & Rohde?

If you were injured in a slip-and-fall accident, you may be feeling overwhelmed and unsure of where to turn. The good news is that you do not have to navigate the legal process alone. At Bye, Goff & Rohde, we are committed to helping you seek the justice and the compensation you need to make the best possible recovery from injury.

When you choose Bye, Goff & Rohde, you can expect:

• Compassionate, Client-Focused Representation: At Bye, Goff & Rohde, we are committed to helping our clients through some of the most difficult times in their lives. We provide personalized attention, open and honest communication, and the caring, compassionate legal representation you deserve.
• Decades of Experience: Our firm has been serving the local community for nearly five decades. We are familiar with the local courts, judges, and other legal professionals, and we have a proven track record of success. Our attorneys have a deep understanding of personal injury and premises liability law, and we know what it takes to win.
• Strong Results: We have helped thousands of clients recover millions of dollars in compensation for their medical bills, lost wages, pain and suffering, and other damages. We are proud of our strong record of success and our reputation for excellence throughout Wisconsin.

With offices in River Falls, we serve clients throughout Western Wisconsin. Call (715) 202-5699 or online to get started with a free, no-risk consultation today.