Boston Slip-and-Fall Lawyer

With all slip-and-fall injuries, it’s important to take the proper steps to protect your rights.

First, you should report all accidents to the property owner or manager right away. If you wait, your claim could be lost.
Second, make sure they write down all the information about your fall and give you a copy for your records.
Third, get medical attention immediately for your injuries.
Fourth, make sure to contact an experienced slip-and-fall attorney as soon as possible after the accident so that proper notice is given to the owner of the property and their insurance company. Any delay could compromise your rights later on.

How do you know if you have a legitimate slip-and-fall claim?

You slipped and fell and you were injured. But do you know if the property owner is liable? In most slip-and-fall cases, the injury is obvious. Where and how the injury occurred will determine who is liable and the extent of your claim.

What are you entitled to in a slip-and-fall claim?

Generally speaking, recoverable costs and compensation associated with slip-and-fall injuries include:

Medical costs
Lost wages
Lost earning capacity
Future costs related to an extended or permanent injury
Out-of-pocket expenses
Pain and suffering

Slip-and-fall injuries can be categorized into two types: indoor and outdoor.

Indoor injuries usually occur in a supermarket or some other commercial establishment. They typically involve a foreign substance of some kind, like merchandise that has fallen from a shelf or a liquid substance from a broken bottle or other spilled product. The most important thing to know about foreign substance cases is that they depend in large part on how long the foreign substance had been left unattended on the property.

The store or property owner is only responsible for those substances and conditions that were known about or should have been known about within a reasonable amount of time. The longer a foreign object or substance has been left unattended, the more reasonable it is to hold the property owner liable for injuries occurring as a result of a person falling. A store owner or property owner has a duty to periodically inspect the premises to make sure they are in a safe condition.

Outdoor injuries also usually occur as a result of a defect or foreign substance. The typical outdoor slip-and-fall case involves a hole, broken step or foreign object in an area that is not readily visible. The law requires a property owner to keep his/her premises in a reasonably safe condition for all individuals on the property.

The same rules apply to outdoor foreign substances. The longer a condition is left untreated, the more likely it is the property owner will be responsible for any resulting injuries. The length of time is determined by looking at the substance or defect for signs of wear and tear. For example, where a liquid is involved, the footprints, color and other track marks can define how long the substance has been left unattended. You need an expert to investigate these details if you want to maximize your claim.

A separate and distinct type of slip-and-fall accident has to do with snow and ice.

Previously the law in Massachusetts was very unforgiving with respect to injuries that occurred because of snow and ice. The courts made it clear that unless there was an “unnatural” accumulation of snow or ice, there would be no recovery for injuries that occurred from a fall on these substances. They concluded this due to the fact that we live in New England, where ice and snow is expected in the winter months. Because this was considered to be a natural condition, property owners were not held responsible. In order to make a claim against a property owner, one had to show that the owner was liable in some way for the danger. Things that were considered in these cases were gutters or overhangs that caused water to melt on stairs and walkways that then froze, causing a hazardous condition. A slip-and-fall lawyer in Boston can help you find these details in your case.

Then, the law changed.

As it stood, the law was not in line with other negligence claims and was determined to be unfair to victims of snow and ice falls. Slip-and-fall attorneys across the state, including many from our firm, fought tirelessly to change this archaic, unfair law. Through our efforts and others, the law is now much more protective of injury victims. Homeowners and store owners alike now have a duty to maintain their property in a safe condition from snow and ice. Property owners now have an obligation to use reasonable efforts to remove snow and ice to keep their property safe for visitors. If you fell in the middle of a severe storm, obviously it would be difficult to hold an owner responsible because it would be impossible to remove all snow and ice at that time. However, owners must do the best they can to be responsible for the safety of others. If stairs are left to ice over and no salt or sand is put down, there is certainly an argument that the owner did not use reasonable efforts. Since every slip-and-fall case is unique, a knowledgeable legal team is needed to determine your chances of success with a claim.

The laws are complex; that’s why you need an experienced slip-and-fall lawyer on your side.

We will use our more than 55-years of personal injury law success and the expertise of our 30 legal professionals to see to it that you get the financial compensation you are entitled to, the personal attention you deserve, and any future care you may need. We work only with the best experts, investigators and specialists to maximize your claim. We’ve helped thousands of slip-and-fall victims get the compensation they deserved. Our personal injury lawyers in Boston can help you, too. Call 1-800-660-2270 for a free consultation today. No pressure. Just answers.

What to Do in a Slip and Fall Accident

Slip-and-Fall Accident Case Achievements

Slip-and-Fall in Barn – $3 Million payout
Fall from Roof Injury – $300,000.00
Department Store Slip-and-Fall – $300,000.00
Slip-and-Fall Accident in Supermarket – $275,000.00
Lumbar Disc Surgery from Slip-and-Fall – $200,000.00
Dental and Back Injuries as a Result of Slip-and-Fall – $200,000.00
Fractured Nose and Concussion from Slip-and-Fall – $150,000.00
Hip Fracture from Slip-and-Fall on Ice – $140,000.00
Ankle Fracture from Slip-and-Fall Accident – $65,000.00

How Common Are Slip and Fall Accidents?

Slip-and-fall accidents happen regularly, and the aftermath can be devastating and life-changing. The accidents can happen anywhere, from a public sidewalk to private property like a hotel lobby or rental property. While older people are more prone to slips and falls, anyone can be a victim, and injuries can be severe.

If you or your loved one were injured in a slip-and-fall accident, you may be eligible for compensation from the liable party. Skilled Boston personal injury attorneys can evaluate your case and help you pursue compensation based on the type and severity of your injury. The following are some of the most common injuries from slip-and-fall accidents.

Dislocations and Fractures

Shoulder dislocations are common consequences of slip-and-fall accidents, especially if you land on your shoulder. Dislocations can also happen at the hip and elbow. Fractured and broken bones are common on the arms, ankles, legs, and hands. In rare cases, a slip-and-fall victim may sustain a spine, pelvic, or hip fracture.

These injuries may result in long-term medical hardships, such as the need for long-term physical therapy and rehabilitation. Treatment is often expensive, and you may take much time off work to recover. Depending on the severity of the injuries, you may not be able to work in the same capacity you did before the accident.

Aggressive Boston slip-and-fall lawyers can help you pursue compensation for these damages. The settlement you receive can help you cater to treatment costs and meet your life needs until you can earn a living again.

Neck Injuries

Legally, a neck injury damages the part of your spine above your shoulders. Injury to this part can result in a sprain, nerve damage, or damage to the spinal column bones. Depending on the impact of the slip and fall, the injury can result in temporary or permanent paralysis or disability, preventing you from being able to work again.

Head Injuries

The impact of a slip-and-fall accident can cause the head to hit a hard surface, resulting in traumatic brain injury (TBI) or concussions. Symptoms of head injuries include:

Dizziness
Headache
Coma
Unconsciousness
Seizures

Ensure you seek medical attention immediately after a fall if you hit your head on a hard surface. You may not have immediate symptoms but may experience a delay in the onset of the symptoms. A physician can assess you for internal injuries, evaluate the extent of the injuries, and treat you before the condition deteriorates.

Soft Tissue Injuries

Even if you don’t break your bones or hit your head against a hard surface, you may still sustain painful and severe bodily injury in the form of soft tissue damage. The injuries often happen in body parts such as muscles, ligaments, and tendons.

Symptoms may include pain, bruising, swelling, and permanent tissue damage. While the injuries may seem minor, they can be painful and may take weeks or months to heal, depending on the extent of the injury. Consult slip-and-fall attorneys in Boston to help you pursue compensation for the damages.

Knee Injuries

Your body may instinctively move your knees beneath your body to support it or absorb the shock of the fall, depending on how you slip or trip. The consequence could be a knee injury that ranges from superficial cuts and scrapes to more severe injuries like fractures, dislocations, or extensive damage to the patella.

The knees are the major weight-bearing points, and any damage will require much time to heal. You also may need ongoing physiotherapy, which is costly and sometimes painful. Depending on the extent of the injury, you may also suffer chronic pain and a reduced range of motion.

Chronic Pain

Chronic pain affects your ability to work and participate in activities you once enjoyed before the accident. It may also alter your mobility level and affect your professional and social relationships. Ongoing pain and suffering is one type of compensatory damage you can receive from the negligent party. So, talk to Boston slip-and-fall lawyers to help you in this quest.

What is the Role of Common Injuries in a Slip and Fall Accident Claim?

When you get injured in a slip-and-fall accident, you can recover compensation for the damages depending on the defendant’s legal fault. As long as their negligence or fault is apparent, skilled Boston personal injury lawyers can help you recover the total damages you deserve or are qualified to receive under state law.

Knowing the common slip-and-fall accidents is a launching point to ensure you get the medical attention you need. It can be a crucial starting point to enable you to identify all your damages and maximize your compensation in your slip-and-fall claim.

You must be able to prove your injuries through evidence such as medical records and bills and an employer’s letter for time lost from work. Compassionate slip-and-fall accident lawyers in Boston can also help you build a solid compensation claim by putting together other crucial pieces of evidence.

A Skilled Personal Injury Attorney Helping You Recover Damages in a Slip-and-Fall Accident Claim

Slip-and-fall accidents can cause severe injuries and may require immediate hospitalization. After emergency treatment, you may have to endure many months of physical therapy and rehabilitation. You may suffer permanent disability depending on the injury’s location, type, and severity. A lawyer can help you get compensation if someone else was responsible for your injuries.

Experienced Boston slip-and-fall lawyers at our firm can help you with your case. We can determine if your injuries arose from the accident and help you file a claim against the negligent party. Our lawyers are skilled and knowledgeable about personal injury laws in Boston and will work hard to fight for the compensation you deserve. Call us at 508-850-0342 to schedule a FREE consultation.