Slip-and-fall accidents are no laughing matter. These incidents can cause significant injuries that lead to pain and financial instability. Recovering the money you need to move forward with your life after a slip-and-fall can be a challenge. Negotiating with a property owner’s insurer or forging ahead with a slip-and-fall injury lawsuit can be daunting.
If you’ve been hurt in a slip-and-fall accident, you need effective legal representation and meaningful compensation for your injuries. The Hartford slip and fall injury lawyers at Jainchill & Beckert, LLC are ready to advocate for you. We represent the interests of Hartford citizens injured due to the careless actions of property owners.
Contact us today for more information on how we can help you pursue the money you deserve after a slip-and-fall incident.
What Are Common Causes of Hartford Slip-and-Fall Accidents?
Hartford slip-and-fall accidents can occur for several reasons. However, property owner neglect or carelessness is the common thread that ties all slip-and-falls together. All property owners are responsible for maintaining a reasonably safe environment for guests, patrons, and visitors.
The most commonly overlooked issues that can lead to Hartford slip-and-fall accidents tend to include:
- Spills
- Wet or slippery flooring
- Snow or ice left on walkways
- Uneven flooring
- Cracked sidewalks
- Broken tiles
- Torn carpeting or rugs
- Loose cords and wires
- Floor debris
- Potholes
- Pavement defects
- Unmarked steps
- Broken handrails on stairways
- Poor lighting conditions
- Improper signage warning of hazards
Failing to maintain a safe environment increases the chances that someone will eventually suffer a serious injury. When a property owner knows a safety hazard is present on their premises, they are responsible for fixing the issue. They can be held liable for any resulting injuries if they don’t. Get in touch with our Hartford slip and fall attorney now.
Where Do Slip-and-Fall Accidents Happen?
Unfortunately, slip-and-fall accidents can happen anywhere, even in picturesque Hartford. Numerous hazards can contribute to these devastating accidents.
Areas where someone may slip and fall can include:
- Grocery stores
- Shopping centers
- Parking lots
- Private homes
- Hotels
- Apartments
- Sports arenas
- Amusement parks
- Restaurants
- Office buildings
What Are Some Common Injuries from a Slip-and-Fall Accident?
Traumatic brain injuries (TBIs) are one of the most common injuries that can occur because of a slip-and-fall accident. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) lists falls as the leading cause of concussions and TBIs in the United States.
Other common injuries associated with slip-and-fall accidents include:
- Back and neck injuries
- Broken bones, especially arms, legs, wrists, and hips
- Soft tissue damage
- Sprains
- Strains
- Dislocations
- Lacerations
- Internal injuries
You should never take fall injuries lightly. These serious injuries can cause pain and medical complications, especially when left untreated. Contact our Hartford slip and fall injury lawyer today.
What Should I Do If I Have Been Injured After Falling on Someone’s Property?
A slip-and-fall incident can be embarrassing. However, you should never dust yourself off and continue your day as if nothing happened. Your actions in the days and weeks after can significantly impact your ability to seek meaningful compensation for your injuries.
If you get hurt after falling, consider taking the following steps to protect yourself and your slip-and-fall claim:
- Report the accident to the property owner.
- Seek medical attention.
- Document the scene of the incident.
- Save your shoes and clothing.
- Contact a Hartford slip-and-fall lawyer.
- Keep records of your medical bills and other expenses.
- Avoid posting on social media.
Consulting with a Hartford slip-and-fall attorney as soon as possible can help you build a solid claim to pursue the money you need for your injuries and financial losses.
Does Connecticut Have a Law Regarding Slip-and-Falls?
Connecticut’s premises liability law requires property owners to ensure their property remains reasonably safe and free from hazards for visitors, guests, and patrons. However, proving that a property owner was careless and did not meet their duty of care can be challenging. You must demonstrate the owner knew or should reasonably have known about the dangerous condition and that the condition caused your injuries and financial losses.
Is a Property Owner Always Liable If Someone Falls on their Property?
Connecticut law mainly protects invitees and licensees injured due to a property owner’s negligence. Invitees are people the owner invites to their property, such as customers at a store. If they’re injured due to a hazard on the premises, the property owner may be liable. Property owners owe invitees the highest duty of care. They must repair any hazards they know or should have known about for invitees.
Licensees are people with permission to be on someone’s premises, such as utility workers. Property owners only have to warn licensees about any known hazards. If they don’t provide a warning or fix the hazard, they can be held responsible for a licensee’s injuries.
Trespassers are not owed the same duty of care as others. Someone who gets injured while trespassing generally cannot hold a property owner responsible for slip-and-fall injuries.
What Is the Ongoing Storm Doctrine?
Connecticut weather can cause dangerous conditions for property owners and visitors. Connecticut’s ongoing storm doctrine recognizes that it can be challenging to keep up with snow and ice maintenance during severe weather events. If someone slips and falls under specific circumstances, the property owner may not owe them compensation for their injuries. Property owners are allowed adequate time to respond to weather conditions and clean up dangerous conditions that may be present on their property during a storm.
The property owner or their insurer may try to use this defense to avoid compensating you for your losses. However, a knowledgeable Hartford premises liability lawyer can help you prove your case if there was no ongoing storm or your injuries were caused by preexisting ice or snow.
Does Connecticut Have a Time Limit for Filing a Personal Injury Lawsuit?
Connecticut does have a time limit for filing a personal injury lawsuit after a slip-and-fall accident. If filing a lawsuit is the best option for recovering compensation for your losses, you must file within two years of the date of the accident. Working with a skilled Connecticut slip-and-fall attorney means you have someone on your side who can manage strict legal deadlines for you.
Contact a Hartford Slip-and-Fall Lawyer
An experienced Hartford slip-and-fall lawyer from Jainchill & Beckert, LLC can help you pursue the financial compensation you need after slipping and falling on someone else’s property. We are committed to helping you during this difficult time. Contact Hartford personal injury attorneys today for a free consultation to learn more.
