Slip and Fall Accident Lawyers at Martin G. Schulz & Associates
Slip and fall accidents can cause physical or emotional pain, or lead to debilitating outcomes. Here at Martin G. Schulz & Associates, our group of injury lawyers will tailor our focus to your priorities, whether that’s from pain, loss or understanding challenges you wish to overcome. Our legal experts are specialized in matters related to personal injury and slip and fall accidents. We are determined to guide victims throughout claims and cases so they get the compensation they deserve.
How slip and fall accident lawyers at Martin G. Schulz can help
Don’t settle for less. We understand that accidents and injuries, whether traumatic or painful, can result in physical, mental, or emotional distress. By contacting slip and fall lawyers, not only will your concerns be heard, but you will have greater success when it comes to receiving larger settlements. According to studies, enlisting the help of a lawyer in injury claims can even result in settlements triple the amount of those who file claims without. Our slip and fall accident lawyers have expertise in brain injury, spinal cord injury and wrongful death to address the varying needs you have.
Defining a “slip and fall” accident
A “slip and fall” occurs when an individual has an injury due to the unreasonable upkeep of a property or premise. Dependent on where you live, weather conditions may affect premises, thereby resulting in potential slip and fall accidents. For instance, in Calgary, an example could be slipping on an uncleared sidewalk in snowy conditions. In such an event, you may want to contact a slip and fall accident lawyer to seek out claims you may be eligible for.
Slip and fall accidents: Liabilities and compensation
Owners who do not properly maintain their premises may be liable if a slip and fall happens on their properties. Laws and regulations that concern slip and fall accidents can be found in the Occupiers Liability Act, which states that property owners are responsible for keeping premises in a reasonably safe condition. To find out whether or not you are entitled to compensation in the event of an accident arising from property conditions, it is best to consult lawyers for slip and fall accidents.
Rewards that a slip and fall accident lawyer can help you with
Here at Martin G. Schulz & Associates, we understand how stressful the process can be when presenting your evidence to an insurance company for a claim, especially after suffering an injury. Let us take the middle work out when it comes to dealing with insurance companies and matters of representation in court. We recommend consulting a slip and fall lawyer as soon as possible, as filing injury claims to insurance companies may be time-sensitive. Here are some of the rewards related to common slip and fall cases:
- Medical expenses (such as from brain injury or spinal cord injury)
- Costs related to rehabilitation or recovery at home
- Costs associated with inability to perform tasks that were once considered routine
- Pain and suffering compensation (can be physical or emotional)
- Potential future and long-term expenses
Potential property owners that may be liable in a slip and fall accident
Slip and fall accident liabilities affect a broad range of property owners. Whether you’re a municipality, or residential homeowner, or own a commercial or private property, keeping the entryways and adjacent walkways of your premises reasonably clean and free from obstacles is important for avoiding slip and fall claims.
Types of slip and fall accidents or injuries
Some of the most common accidents in slips and falls that injury lawyers can help you with include:
- Scars and bruises
- Torn ligaments or tendons
- Fractures and broken bones
- Swelling
- Sprains
- Spasms
- Tissue damage
- Brain or head injuries and concussions
- Spinal cord paralysis (paraplegia, quadriplegia), back pain
- PTSD, stress, anxiety
- Death
How to avoid slip and fall accidents
To prevent slip and fall accidents from happening, here are some tips to keep in mind:
- Avoid using your phone when crossing the streets
- Ensure you can see where you’re going and remove items that block your view
- Gradually dismount or use ladders when getting down from higher areas
- Make sure you’re adequately dressed for the weather (e.g. closed-toe shoes, slip-resistant footwear, or boots during the winter)
- Pay attention to your surroundings (e.g. look out for “Caution” or wet floor signs)
Why you should hire slip and fall accident lawyers
If you or a close family member are a victim of accidents or injuries either due to negligence or fault, our team of slip and fall lawyers are here to help at Martin G. Schulz & Associates. Consulting a slip and fall lawyer is beneficial, especially when pay-outs from insurance companies often don’t take into account the full extent of injuries an individual may have suffered. This may result in your claims not being found valid or could lead to lower settlement amounts.
The challenges of proving slip and fall accidents
Slip and fall accidents can be difficult to prove to insurance companies and in courtrooms, especially since property owners are not liable by default. Major challenges include but are not limited to, proving that a slip and fall occurred on specific premises, that an injury was caused by property negligence, and demonstrating that the ensuing pain or economic costs stemmed from the incident. For example, Calgary bylaws mandate that snow and ice should be cleared within a 24-hour time frame after a snowfall. Thus, in such a scenario, it would be wise to prove the weather conditions on that day, whether through pictures or by presenting weather records.
Slip and fall grey areas
It is also worth mentioning that there are legal grey areas when proving slip and fall accidents, which adds an additional layer of challenges. For instance, emotional pain or distress can be harder to visibly identify. Examples could include getting anxiety in public scenarios after a fall or feelings of frustration associated with a fractured arm. While both instances can dramatically impede an accident victim’s day-to-day performance, gathering evidence on the emotional or psychological struggles in such cases can be difficult. Our injury lawyers can help you when it comes to considering the types of documents or evidence would best support your claim or case in accidents.
Common Examples: Causes of slip and fall accidents
Slips and falls can occur in a wide variety of settings, including public spaces, such as shopping malls, restaurants and supermarkets, or private complexes and homes, including apartments and houses. Some examples of causes for these accidents could include:
- Uneven floors in common areas of apartments or buildings, such as stairways or hallways
- Wet or slippery floors at supermarket or grocery store shopping areas
- Black ice and uncleared walkways, sidewalks or stairways from snow or extreme weather conditions
- Poorly-built stairs that are not up to building code
Steps to take if you suffer from slip and fall injuries
If you suffer from slip and fall accidents, take these steps to protect yourself. By following them, you can also better prepare yourself in the case that you do need to consult an injury lawyer.
Seek medical help ASAP
By seeking out medical assistance as soon as possible after a slip and fall accident, you can recover sooner and save yourself from potentially life-threatening situations. Calling for medical help at an earlier stage also will more likely protect you in terms of the compensation you can make valid claims for. Doing so will also assist our injury lawyers in gathering the necessary evidence for your case.
Record contact information and statements of property owners, employees, and witnesses
Make sure to note down the names and phone numbers of the surrounding people. These include individuals who may have witnessed the incident or who could have insight on any repeated accidents in the past. Writing down what potential witnesses said at the time regarding the incident will help you when proving your case. To understand who may be liable, it would also be a good idea to record the contact details of the property owners, landlords, managers and employees.
Document details of the slip and fall accident
Documentation is crucial when it comes to gathering information that may be presented in court proceedings by a slip and fall lawyer. Photos serve as a crucial source and capturing photos of the conditions of your surroundings and environment could make a big difference. When taking pictures, keep in mind to think about showing the spatial relations of hazards and the location of the accident. If possible, obtaining security footage pertaining to the incident will help to support your case. Do not forget to also take pictures that prove you were properly dressed or prepared if the situation may call for it. For instance, demonstrating that there were blind spots in the situation or that you were wearing appropriate shoes could be helpful.
Get in Touch With Our Team.
10072 Jasper Ave
Edmonton, AB T5J 1V8
10th Floor, 888 - 3rd St. SW
Calgary, AB T2P 5C5
1066 West Hastings
Vancouver, BC V6E 3X2
See Our Client Reviews
posted on Google
Awards & Associations
Contact
Time is of the essence when it comes to personal injury claims. Evidence, witnesses, and memories can get lost or fade, so the sooner you start the process, the better. From the moment you contact our firm, we’ll work to understand your situation, answer all your questions, and develop a plan to get you the justice and compensation you deserve.
Contact us today for your free, no-obligation, private consultation.