Tupelo Slip-and-Fall Attorneys Representing Negligence Victims in Tupelo, MS

Slip-and-fall accidents are among the most common types of personal injury cases in the country. The reality is that slip-and-falls have the potential to cause significant injuries, especially among senior citizens. Learn what you need to do if you have been hurt in a slip-and-fall accident and the steps you may take to seek compensation for your damages.

What Counts as a Slip and Fall Accident in Mississippi?

Slip-and-fall accidents are a type of premises liability accident in which an individual on public property or lawfully visiting private property encounters a hazard (such as uneven carpet, wet floors, or cracked concrete, for example) and ends up slipping or tripping, falling down, and sustaining significant injuries. Slip-and-fall injuries may range from a sprained ankle and bruises to broken bones, back injuries, concussions, and even more serious conditions that may require surgery. It is worth mentioning that the hazard encountered by the plaintiff should have been remedied or mitigated by the party in control of that property, and the injury is thus understood to be a result of negligence by that party.

What Should I Do After Being Hurt in a Slip-And-Fall Accident?

If you have been injured, get medical help right away. If it is safe to do so, report the accident to the owner of the property. If that person is not available, you may want to attempt to speak to a manager or highest-ranking employee on site. It is important to report the accident in order to build your case but also to prevent others from getting hurt as well.

Slip-and-fall claims rely heavily on evidence to prove that the accident was a result of negligence. With that in mind, it is always a good idea to capture as much information about the area where your accident happened as you can. Take pictures of the dangerous area and your injuries, make a video, and gather contact information for any witnesses. By doing this, you can preserve important evidence for your case, as property owners may often move quickly to alter the area where the accident occurs or remove hazards in an attempt to dismiss your complaints.

What Do I Need to Prove in a Slip and Fall Accident Claim?

Slip-and-fall accidents, like most personal injury cases, are usually based on negligence. Therefore, it is up to the plaintiff to prove that the basic elements of a negligence-based claim are present. The first element consists of proving that the party in control of that property owed a duty of care towards anyone visiting its premises, making sure the area is safe for visitors and that any hazards or obstacles are repaired, blocked off, or proper warning signs are clearly posted.

Next, the plaintiff needs to show that there was a breach in that duty of care. The party in control of the property was aware of the dangerous situation – or should have been aware – and did not take the necessary steps to maintain the property and make necessary repairs, even though failing to do so meant someone could potentially get hurt. Next, the plaintiff can show evidence that because of the property owner’s negligence, he or she encountered a hazardous situation that led to a slip-and-fall and resulted in significant injuries and damages. Finally, the plaintiff needs to show that the property owner’s negligence and lack of reasonable care was the direct cause of your injury. If you have been hurt in a slip-and-fall accident, seek the help of an attorney as soon as possible.

How Much Is My Slip-And-Fall Claim Worth?

Many slip-and-fall injuries can be serious and force you to spend time away from work, and require medical treatment and even surgery, in some cases. For that reason, you may be concerned about how much money you may be entitled to receive for your slip-and-fall claim. In general, slip-and-fall victims may be compensated for medical bills, property damage, and lost wages, among other financial losses, in addition to compensation for non-economic damages, such as pain and suffering.

The more serious your injury and the more significant your losses, the higher your claim may be worth. However, it is not possible to provide an accurate estimate of the value of your case without a careful analysis by an attorney. Even if you decide to use one of the many online tools that promise to give you a dollar amount for your case in exchange for a few simple answers, you will likely not receive a correct estimate, as these tools often give you results that are too high, or sometimes, too low. Consulting an attorney is the safest way to get a better estimate of how much money you may receive for your claim.

Why Should I Work With a Slip-And-Fall Attorney?

Dealing with the laborious tasks of filling out forms, handling insurance paperwork and phone calls, and trying to figure out what to do next for your case – all while you are injured and trying to heal – is too much work for most people. In addition, chances are the other party in your claim is already prepared to fight back and is likely working with an attorney.

When you recruit the help of a slip-and-fall attorney, you will be able to leverage his or her legal knowledge and negotiation skills to maximize your chances of receiving fair compensation. In addition, your attorney can handle all aspects of your case on your behalf, and can also help you when it is time to make important decisions, such as whether to accept or turn down a settlement offer from the other party or their insurance carrier.

At Rundlett Law Firm, PLLC, our attorneys have handled many slip-and-fall cases in Tupelo, MS, and surrounding areas and helped our clients get top compensation for their injuries. If you were injured in a slip-and-fall accident, contact us at (662) 502-5195 as soon as possible to discuss your case.