Slip and fall accidents can happen anywhere — from grocery stores and parking lots to office buildings and private homes. These incidents may seem minor at first, but they can lead to serious injuries, including broken bones, spinal cord injuries, and traumatic brain injuries. If you’ve suffered injuries from a slip and fall incident, understanding how injury lawyers in Las Vegas handle these cases can help you recover maximum compensation and navigate the legal system with confidence.
The Role of an Injury Lawyer in Slip-and-Fall Cases
When fall accidents occur due to a property owner’s negligence, an experienced personal injury lawyer steps in to help fall accident victims build a strong premises liability claim. From gathering witness statements to reviewing medical records, a fall injury attorney ensures that every aspect of your slip and fall claim is covered. Here’s how an injury lawyer handles these complex cases:
1. Investigating the Accident Scene
The first step in handling a fall case is thoroughly investigating the accident scene. An experienced Las Vegas slip and fall lawyer will visit the location where the accident happened to gather evidence. They’ll check for warning signs, poor lighting, wet floors, or other hazards that may have contributed to the fall accident.
Key Actions Taken by Fall Attorneys:
- Taking photos of the accident scene
- Collecting witness statements
- Reviewing surveillance footage
- Documenting potential hazards, such as a missing warning sign or uneven flooring
This investigation is crucial in proving negligence and establishing that the property owner breached their duty of care.
2. Proving Negligence in a Slip-and-Fall Claim
To recover fair compensation in a slip and fall claim, the injured party must prove that the property owner’s negligence directly caused their injuries. Under Nevada law, property owners have a legal obligation to maintain their premises and ensure it’s safe for visitors.
To prove negligence, an injury lawyer will:
- Demonstrate that the property owner knew or should have known about the hazard
- Show that the property owner failed to fix or warn about the dangerous condition
- Connect the fall accident to the injuries sustained by the victim
An experienced slip and fall attorney will also gather medical records and accident reports to strengthen the personal injury claim.
3. Building a Premises Liability Claim
Premises liability claims hinge on whether the fall accident victim can prove the property owner’s negligence. Nevada law protects injured accident victims by holding negligent property owners accountable.
Key elements of a premises liability claim include:
- Duty of care owed by the property owner
- Breach of duty
- Causation linking the breach to the slip and fall incident
- Damages suffered by the injured party
A fall accident lawyer will work diligently to show how the property owner’s negligence caused the slip and fall incident, ensuring that the injured party can recover maximum compensation.
4. Handling Insurance Claims and Medical Expenses
Insurance companies often try to minimize payouts in slip and fall cases. They may argue that the accident occurred due to the victim’s own negligence or that the injuries sustained aren’t as severe as claimed.
An experienced personal injury lawyer knows how to handle these tactics. They will:
- Communicate directly with the insurance companies
- Provide detailed medical records and documentation of injuries
- Negotiate for fair compensation to cover medical expenses, lost wages, and physical therapy
Fall injury attorneys ensure that fall victims aren’t left paying out of pocket for medical bills related to the accident.
5. Calculating Damages and Seeking Maximum Compensation
Slip and fall cases can result in various types of damages, including:
- Medical expenses: Hospital bills, surgery costs, physical therapy, and ongoing medical treatment
- Lost wages: Compensation for time missed from work due to fall injuries
- Pain and suffering: Compensation for emotional distress and reduced quality of life
A fall injury attorney will calculate both economic and non-economic damages to ensure fall victims recover maximum compensation.
6. Litigating the Case if Necessary
While many fall claims settle outside of court, some cases require litigation. A skilled injury attorney will be prepared to take the case to trial if the insurance company refuses to offer fair compensation.
Litigation Steps Taken by Fall Lawyers:
- Filing a personal injury lawsuit
- Presenting evidence to prove negligence
- Advocating for the injured party in court
Experienced Las Vegas slip and fall attorneys fight to ensure fall accident victims receive the compensation they deserve, even if that means taking the case to court.
Common Slip-and-Fall Injuries and Their Impact
Slip and fall incidents can cause serious injuries that require extensive medical treatment. Common fall injuries include:
- Broken bones
- Spinal cord injuries
- Head injuries and concussions
- Traumatic brain injuries
These injuries can lead to significant medical bills and lost wages. Fall victims may also require ongoing physical therapy and rehabilitation, further increasing their financial burden.
Nevada Law on Slip-and-Fall Cases
Under Nevada law, property owners have a duty to keep their premises safe. If a property owner breached this duty, they can be held liable for injuries sustained in a slip and fall incident. However, Nevada follows a modified comparative negligence rule, which means that if the injured party is found partially at fault, their compensation may be reduced.
For example, if a fall victim is found 20% at fault for the accident, they can only recover 80% of the total damages. An experienced personal injury lawyer will work to minimize any fault attributed to the injured party and maximize their recovery.
Why You Need an Experienced Fall Attorney
Handling a slip and fall claim alone can be overwhelming. Insurance companies have legal teams focused on minimizing payouts. By hiring an experienced slip and fall lawyer, fall victims gain an advocate who will:
- Prove negligence by the property owner
- Handle all communication with insurance companies
- Collect medical records and witness statements
- Fight for fair compensation
Fall attorneys work on a contingency fee basis, meaning you only pay if they successfully recover compensation on your behalf.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
1. What should I do immediately after a slip and fall incident on someone else’s property?
After a slip and fall accident, it’s important to document the accident scene, take photos of any hazards, and collect contact information from witnesses. Seek medical treatment immediately, even if you don’t feel hurt at the moment. Serious head injuries and other fall injuries may not show symptoms right away. Your health and safety should be the top priority.
2. Can I file an accident claim if I was partially at fault for the fall?
Yes. Nevada follows a modified comparative negligence rule, which means you can still recover compensation as long as you are less than 50% at fault. However, your compensation will be reduced by your percentage of fault. An experienced personal injury lawyer can help reduce your attributed fault and strengthen your accident claim.
3. How do health insurance and personal injury law interact in slip and fall cases?
Health insurance may cover some of your medical expenses after a fall accident, but it won’t cover everything, especially if the fall was caused by a property owner’s negligence. Personal injury law allows fall victims to file a premises liability claim to recover compensation for out-of-pocket expenses, lost wages, and other damages. Your injury lawyer will help navigate the complexities of both health insurance and liability claims.
4. What types of injuries are common in slip and fall cases?
Common injuries sustained in slip and fall incidents include broken bones, spinal cord injuries, serious head injuries, and traumatic brain injuries. These injuries can have long-term consequences, including the need for ongoing medical treatment and physical therapy. A fall injury attorney will work to ensure you receive compensation for all injuries sustained.
5. How can a lawyer help me prove that the accident happened due to the property owner’s negligence?
An injury attorney will gather evidence to prove negligence, such as photos of the accident scene, witness statements, and medical records. They will also check for hazards like poor lighting, wet floors, or missing warning signs. By demonstrating that the property owner breached their duty of care, your lawyer will strengthen your premises liability claim.
Contact Bourassa Law Group for a Free Consultation
If you or a loved one has suffered injuries in a slip and fall incident, don’t navigate the legal process alone. At Bourassa Law Group, our experienced personal injury lawyers are dedicated to helping injured accident victims recover maximum compensation for their medical expenses, lost wages, and pain and suffering.
Contact us today for a free consultation and let us help you build a strong premises liability claim. Together, we’ll fight for the compensation you deserve.
1-800-870-8910