Eau Claire Slip and Fall Attorneys
Slip and fall accidents can occur anywhere throughout Eau Claire and can lead to serious, life-changing injuries. Wisconsin business and property owners have a legal duty to keep their premises free from hazards or warn visitors of dangers that could lead to slip and fall accidents. Negligent owners who do not comply put others at risk for severe and permanent injuries.
Enjoying some cocktails on Water Street, attending an event on the University of Wisconsin campus, or shopping at Oakwood Mall are examples of some places Eau Claire residents and visitors might suffer a slip and fall accident.
If you have recently sustained injuries from a slip and fall that could have been avoided, Wisconsin law permits you to bring a lawsuit against the negligent property owner responsible for your injuries. Contact a skilled Eau Claire slip and fall lawyer for a free consultation to discuss your slip and fall accident.
Injured in Eau Claire? Get Nicolet.
Nicolet Law Accident & Injury Lawyers Fights for Slip and Fall Accident Victims
The experienced legal team at Nicolet Law Accident & Injury Lawyers has represented more than 3,000 clients, recovering millions of dollars of compensation for their injuries. The firm’s commitment to professional excellence has benefited its injured clients, including those who sustained injuries in a slip and fall accident. Two recent case examples include:
$200,000 Settlement for Client Denied by Other Law Firms
After an insurance company made an insultingly low offer for our client’s slip and fall accident injuries and two other law firms refused to help our client, we listened. A thorough case evaluation revealed that our client deserved more for her injuries. We investigated the circumstances of her fall and found that a design defect in the building directed water to the wrong location, causing the slippery surface that led to our client’s injuries.
Compensation for a Client Who Was Also Receiving SSI Benefits
Receiving a large settlement or jury award can impact permanent disability benefits for those who are injured. We prioritized protecting our client’s Supplemental Security Income (SSI) benefits while still securing the compensation she deserved for her slip and fall injuries. Our client slipped on the ice outside a gas station and suffered severe injuries.
Our investigation revealed the gas station violated rules about placing vehicle stops in pedestrian walkways in addition to their failure to remove the dangerous and icy conditions that led to our client’s injuries. We secured compensation for our client and placed it in a special needs trust, so the settlement did not cause her to lose her SSI benefits.
These are only a few recent examples of slip and fall cases we have handled at Nicolet Law Accident & Injury Lawyers. They do not guarantee a specific outcome for your case. However, we have the knowledge and resources to aggressively pursue the maximum compensation for your individual circumstances.
Injured in Eau Claire? Get Nicolet.
Common Hazards Lead to Slip and Fall Accident Injuries
Anyone can suffer a slip and fall accident, but the elderly and small children face the most risk for serious injuries. Slip and fall accidents are the most common injury event that occurs outside the home.
Examples of the most common hazards and dangerous conditions that lead to a slip and fall include:
- Loose floorboards, rotted wood, unstretched carpet, broken tiles, and any other scenario that creates an uneven walking surface
- Unremoved snow and ice from parking lots, driveways, and storefronts, or the failure to throw salt or sand on icy surfaces
- Failure to remove trash and debris from walkways inside a structure or externally
- Broken or weak handrails or steps
- Use of wet products or spills, such as water, oil, floor cleaners, and food
- Use of dry products or spills, such as sawdust, sand, dirt, granules, or powders
Slip and Fall Injuries We Handle at Nicolet Law Accident & Injury Lawyers
Fortunately, many slip and fall accidents result in minor injuries, if any at all. Minor injuries that require a victim to miss work or spend time at the hospital are typically severe enough to warrant consulting with a lawyer.
Examples of slip and fall injuries we handle at Nicolet Law Accident & Injury Lawyers include:
- Broken bones, especially those that require one or more reconstructive surgeries
- Head traumas and traumatic brain injuries (TBI)
- Neck and back injuries
- Spinal cord injuries
If your injury is not listed above, it does not mean you do not have a case. You should always consult with an attorney who can evaluate your claim and determine your eligibility for compensation.
Seeking Compensation for Damages After a Slip and Fall Accident
Wisconsin law allows those who suffer slip and fall accident injuries to bring a lawsuit against negligent property owners responsible for the accident.
If you prevail in your slip and fall accident claim, you could receive compensation for the following losses related to your slip and fall accident injuries:
- Medical expenses for ambulance service, emergency room treatment, hospital stay, X-rays, lab tests, surgery, doctor visits, and prescription medication
- Estimated future medical expenses for permanent slip and fall accident injuries that require ongoing treatment or residence in a nursing home
- Lost wages from missing work due to a slip and fall accident, injuries, and recovery
- Estimated future lost wages for permanent injuries that prevent slip and fall accident victims from returning to their job
- Rehabilitation expenses for physical therapy, occupational therapy, behavioral therapy, and other specialized treatments that help accident victims cope with the physical and emotional aftermath of their injuries
- Physical pain and suffering
- Emotional distress
- Reduced quality of life
- Damage to your marital relationship referred to as loss of consortium
- Punitive damages if a property owner willfully caused a slip and fall accident
Eau Claire Slip and Fall Accident FAQs
If you’ve recently suffered slip and fall accident injuries, you might be unsure about your next steps and the process related to seeking compensation for your injuries. When you meet with an attorney, he or she will review the facts of your case and give you a broad overview of the claims process as it relates to your case. Until you have the chance to meet with a lawyer, the answers to these frequently asked questions about slip and fall accidents in Eau Claire provide some preliminary information.
What is the statute of limitations for slip and fall accidents in Wisconsin?
Wisconsin law requires that anyone who suffers injuries due to negligence, including slip and fall accident victims, bring a lawsuit within three years from the date of their injuries. Although you have a little time if your accident was recent, it’s best to take action as soon as possible. As time goes by, it’s more difficult to gather evidence and get witness statements. If you miss the deadline, it’s doubtful a Wisconsin court will hear your case. However, you should always consult with an attorney who can advise you on whether your situation might warrant a rare exception under the law.
Is the property owner automatically liable for my slip and fall accident injuries?
Property owners are only financially liable for slip and fall accident injuries that occur because of their negligence. Not all falls occur because of property owner negligence. Owners have a legal duty to keep their building and/or land safe for visitors and warn them of any known hazards. Owners who clearly mark dangerous areas with rope, signs, or safety cones might not be liable for slip and fall injuries.
However, you should never assume anything about your claim. Let an experienced lawyer review your case and advise you on the viability of your slip and fall accident claim.
I slipped and fell at work. Can I sue my employer?
In most cases, employees can not sue employers for slip and fall accident injuries at work. Employers must carry workers’ compensation insurance to pay benefits for employees who suffer injury or illness in the workplace.
Negligence on your part or your employer doesn’t usually matter. You don’t need to prove negligence to receive workers’ compensation.
However, workers’ comp benefits do not cover pain and suffering, reduced quality of life, and other non-economic damages. You might recover these damages from a third party depending on the circumstances of your slip and fall. An experienced Eau Claire slip and fall lawyer can review your case and identify potential third parties that might be liable for damages.
Who pays for my medical expenses after an Eau Claire slip and fall accident?
Workers’ compensation kicks in to pay medical expenses if you were injured at work and your claim is approved. In other situations, you must pay your medical expenses. Your health insurance might cover some initial treatment costs, but you are responsible for anything not covered. If you choose to file an insurance claim or lawsuit to seek damages from a negligent property owner, you could receive compensation for your medical bills.
However, you will have to wait months, sometimes years, before receiving any settlement money or court-awarded damages. You risk damaging your credit if you do not pay your medical bills. It’s best to talk with your medical provider and work out a payment plan. If you receive compensation, your lawyer will pay all your unpaid medical bills before issuing any funds to you.
Is my landlord responsible for injuries sustained outside the house or apartment building where I live?
Your landlord could face liability for injuries, but many lease agreements include clauses that protect the landlord from lawsuits. Additionally, your lease also outlines your responsibilities as a tenant. For example, if you must clear snow and ice after a storm, your landlord may evade responsibility if you fall on the ice.
Conversely, if your landlord is responsible for snow and ice removal and does not do so in a reasonable amount of time, he or she could be liable for your injuries due to their negligence. Ultimately, you cannot assume anything. It’s best to have an experienced lawyer review your lease and the circumstances of your injuries to advise you of your legal options.
Can I sue a property owner if I suffered slip and fall injuries while trespassing?
In most cases, trespassers cannot sue property owners or landowners if they suffer injuries. Owners do not have to warn trespassers about dangers or hazards on their property in Wisconsin. If a property owner intentionally caused you to slip and fall, you have grounds to file a lawsuit. Child trespassers typically have more protection under the law, so you might also have a lawsuit if your child suffered slip and fall injuries while trespassing. It’s in your best interest to consult with an attorney who can evaluate the viability of your claim.
Can I afford to hire your Eau Claire slip and fall accident lawyers to represent me?
Yes, everyone can afford to hire our slip and fall attorneys. Do not let financial concerns prevent you from getting the legal help you need and the compensation you deserve for your slip and fall accident injuries. Our Eau Claire slip and fall lawyers take cases on a contingent fee basis. If you win your claim, your lawyer will deduct attorney fees and other costs of representation from your compensation. You do not have to pay an upfront retainer to hire a slip and fall accident attorney, and you do not have to pay out-of-pocket for your attorney’s representation.
Contact Nicolet Law Accident & Injury Lawyers After Suffering Injuries in an Eau Claire Slip and Fall Accident
Slip and fall accident injuries can leave victims with lifelong chronic pain and other issues on top of massive medical bills. Receiving compensation won’t turn back time and undo your injuries. However, it can provide needed funding for treatment, eliminate or reduce money owed for medical expenses, and potentially put or keep someone on solid financial footing.
If you live in Eau Claire or the surrounding area, contact Nicolet Law Accident & Injury Lawyers online or at (715) 835-5959 for a free consultation to discuss the events leading up to your slip and fall accident, your injuries, their impact on your life, and the best course of action for your circumstances.