Minneapolis Slip-And-Fall Lawyer

Representing The Victims Of Slips And Falls In Minneapolis

“I’m so clumsy I trip over my own two feet”. 

Sometimes, that is the case when someone falls down. However, far too often, slips, trips and falls are the results of negligence and are entirely preventable. When we leave our homes, we place our safety in the hands of individual homeowners, businesses and other property owners in our communities. When they fail to care for their property or warn us of hazards, their negligence can result in serious injuries.

Property owners are responsible for maintaining safe premises. That responsibility includes taking care of things like icy sidewalks, wet floors, tripping hazards and dilapidated stairs. If you or a loved one has been hurt in a slip-and-fall accident in Minneapolis, you should not have to bear the physical and financial burden alone. The personal injury lawyers of Nicolet Law Firm can help you get the full financial compensation you deserve for your medical bills, pain and suffering, lost wages, and other damages.

We Love To Walk

One of the great things about Minneapolis is how walkable it is. Whether you are enjoying the scenes along the Mississippi River, shopping on Nicollet Mall or exploring the food scene, chances are you are spending a lot of time on foot.

That means your safety is largely in the hands of the city’s property owners, city maintenance workers and others we trust to maintain safe premises. Slipping on a wet floor or falling as a result of a loose railing can do more than ruin a day on the town, it can make your life harder for weeks, months or years. You should not have to bear that burden alone.

The Likelihood of a Slip and Fall Accident in Minneapolis

When you visit a Minneapolis establishment, home, or property, you expect to be safe and free from the risk of harm. You do not expect to suffer a slip, trip, or fall while on the property of another individual or party.

However, slip and fall accidents happen each day in homes, businesses, and other properties. In most cases, premises owners can prevent slip and fall accidents. If a property owner or manager fails to maintain a safe environment or warn guests of the dangers present, they may owe a victim for the injuries they sustain.

In just one year, eight million people across the U.S. will have to visit the emergency department due to injuries after a fall and nearly 40,000 people will die. Falls are a serious risk to the health and safety of the general population.

Individuals at Higher Risk of Severe or Fatal Fall Accidents

While anyone is susceptible to serious or fatal injuries in a slip and fall accident, some groups of the population are more likely to suffer serious injuries or fatalities after an unexpected fall.

The elderly population in Minnesota can suffer much more severe consequences of a slip and fall accident. A trip or fall to the ground that causes moderate injuries to a healthy adult can be devastating to a senior citizen. The older population is more fragile, and recovery can take longer. Serious complications to their health can compound the severity of the injuries after a fall and increase the risk of death.

The Negligent Causes of Most Slip and Fall Accidents

Why and how a slip and fall accident took place can determine liability for the damages that arise from your injury. All falls are not due to negligence, but many are and when a property owner or party in charge of the care of a property fails to keep their guests safe they are more likely to meet the elements of negligence under the law.

There are common scenarios where a slip, trip, or fall accident is more likely to occur. Often, property owners are aware of the dangers on their property but if they do not communicate about those hazards or take measures to protect people from the harm of those dangers, they can be liable to victims that sustain injuries.

Common causes of slip and fall accidents include:

• Slippery surfaces - Floors that are slippery pose a hazard to guests on a property. Leaks, spills, wet weather, or polishing can make flooring inside or out difficult to traverse. A slip onto a hard surface or pavement can commonly cause broken bones, joints, or head injuries.
• Uneven surfaces - Cracks in the ground, floors, or unexpected dips or drop-offs on any land or property can cause a person to trip or fall from higher ground to the floor. Uneven flooring or surfaces can be difficult for a guest to see and if the hazards are not properly marked or maintained, can result in serious injuries.
• Debris - Cables, cords, and clutter left on or near walking surfaces and pathways can create a dangerous situation for individuals on a property. Too much debris or obstacles can create a high risk of injuries.
• Poorly maintained equipment - Owners must routinely inspect elevators, stairs, and escalators to keep them free from obstructions and in functioning order. Any malfunction or danger that occurs because of the poor maintenance of this equipment on a property can cause serious or fatal injuries to victims.
• Nursing home negligence - The elderly are at high risk of falls and nursing home falls are one of the most common causes of injuries to residents of these establishments. If a slip or fall occurs in a nursing home due to the failure of a caregiver or dangers on the property to its residents, the organization may need to pay for the injuries to the victim.
• Poor lighting - A lack of lighting or dim lighting on properties open to guests during dark hours can cause falls, slips, and trips. If a guest cannot properly see the areas or paths, they are more likely to suffer an injury while on a property.
• Lack of notice - In some instances, it is not possible to make every aspect of a property safe for each guest. In these situations, it is necessary for those in charge of a property to ensure there are proper signs that indicate dangers on a property or give notice to the guests invited onto the property.
• Improper safety equipment - Fall injuries are one of the leading causes of death in the workplace particularly in dangerous professions such as the construction industry. When proper safety equipment, harnesses, or helmets are not provided to protect a worker or other individual elevated from the ground, the risk of severe injury and death increases.
• Insufficient maintenance or failure to make repairs - To maintain a safe property, owners and managers must ensure they routinely inspect property open to guests and visitors. It is not enough to check for dangers, but the parties in charge of a property must also provide maintenance as needed and repairs when a hazard arises.

Whose Fault Is It?

Sometimes, accidents just happen; that’s why they’re called accidents. However, there are times where liability is clear. For example, a shop owner should know that having a downspout empty directly on the sidewalk near their front entrance is a recipe for disaster during the winter. Likewise, it is reasonable to expect a grocery store to set out a “wet floor” sign within minutes of a spill taking place. Property owners are responsible for taking care of such hazards or at least warning their patrons and the public of their presence.

Liability in a Slip and Fall Case

A slip, trip, or fall accident falls under the laws of premises liability. Liability for these types of accidents will usually fall on a property owner.

Every property owner must ensure that when they invite guests or allow the public onto their property that they keep visitors injury-free.

After a slip and fall accident, there is often insurance for the property or business that will cover the victim's damages. If and when insurance is unavailable to a victim of an accident, or the limitations of a policy are not sufficient to cover the damages, then a property owner or business can be personally liable for the victim’s losses.

The Injuries that May Arise After a Slip and Fall Accident

Twenty percent of falls cause serious injuries to a victim, such as severely broken bones and traumatic brain injuries. The CDC reports that falls are the most common cause of TBIs across the U.S each year.

The injuries in a slip and fall accident can be serious if not fatal to its victims. Recovery for severe injuries can require intensive medical care, hospitalization, and surgery. Some victims can suffer permanent disabilities that will affect how they live for the remainder of their lives.

Rehabilitation and therapy can become necessary for victims as they try to regain strength and function after their slip and fall injuries.

Injuries after a slip and fall accident can include:

• Head or brain injuries, including a traumatic brain injury
• Neck, back, or spinal cord injuries
• Soft tissue injuries to muscles, tendons, or ligaments
• Broken bones
• Lacerations or abrasions
• Joint injuries
• Internal injuries to organs

Damages You Can Be Eligible for After a Slip and Fall

If you are in a slip and fall accident, you may require medical care and, depending on the extent of your injuries, may need to miss work. Whether it is days, weeks, or months, as you recover from your injuries, the costs of care and lost wages will add up and can strain your finances.

Slip and fall accidents that occur because of the negligence of a property owner or other party allow the victim to file a claim or lawsuit for the damages they incur.

Slip, trip, or fall damages can include losses that are monetary or non-monetary. Non-monetary losses reflect the personal impact the accident and injuries have on your physical health and mental health.

A non-monetary loss is still a loss and a slip and fall claim allows you to receive money to compensate for these losses. A monetary loss is any loss that is a cost or expense to you. The calculation of these costs often entails looking at evidence such as bills, statements, invoices, and receipts.

Examples of damages in a slip and fall case include:

• Medical-related expenses
• Loss of Income
• Pain and suffering
• Wrongful death of a loved one

Slip and Fall Insurance Claim versus Lawsuit, and When You Need an Attorney in Minneapolis

Slip and fall cases in most instances are issues of premises liability. In most slip and fall scenarios, the property where an injury takes place will have some liability insurance policy that will apply to property guests. The first approach to recovering your losses from a slip and fall accident will likely be to file a claim with the insurance company that has coverage in effect at the time of the incident.

Many slip and fall victims may feel they can deal with their cases on their own if insurance covers the property. They mistakenly assume that an insurance claim will quickly and easily provide them fair compensation for their losses.

Unfortunately, this is not how insurers work. The insurer’s primary purpose is not to successfully payout claims but to negotiate claims for as little money as possible and to enter denials whenever there is an opportunity to do so. The insurance company’s loyalty is not to you, the victim, but to the company and its earnings.

It is wise to seek the assistance of a slip and fall attorney before you move forward with a claim for your injuries and damages with an insurer. Doing so can help you fight for the maximum compensation you are eligible for and prevent delays and difficulties with your case.

If negotiation for a settlement through your insurer fails or the property where the accident happened is not insured, you may need to file a lawsuit against the party at fault for your slip and fall.

Insurers can deny claims because of errors during the claims process, lack of support for the determination of fault, or lack of evidence to substantiate your injuries and their impact on your life. Settlement negotiations can also commonly come to a standstill when there is a wide gap between the offer for damages and your actual damages or a dispute over who caused the accident.

Seek the advice of our Minneapolis slip and fall attorneys as soon as you can after an accident.

Contact Nicolet Law Accident & Injury Lawyers After a Minneapolis Slip and Fall Accident

You cannot plan for a slip and fall. When it happens, you may sustain serious injuries that leave you facing mounting medical bills and expenses, as well as pain and suffering from the injuries that can prevent you from working.

At Nicolet Law Accident & Injury Lawyers, we know that many slips and falls are not minor accidents and if you suffer an injury because of the negligence of a property owner, you can seek compensation for those injuries. We want to help you fight for that compensation and protect your rights against the insurance companies and parties at fault for your damages.̉̉̉̉̉̉̉̉̉

Let Us Take Care Of Things For You

You have dealt with enough as a result of your injury. Let us answer your questions, determine if you have a case and pursue your legal rights. Call our Minneapolis office today at 612-446-3999 or email us to schedule a free consultation.

Minneapolis Office
43 SE Main St
Suite 500
Minneapolis, MN 55414
Phone: (612) 688-4459