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You can go from going about your day to ending up hurt on the ground in a split second. Even with falls from a standing height, there is a chance of serious injury.
If you have slipped and fallen, you may be able to pursue a claim for your losses. A Chattanooga slip and fall lawyer from CEO Lawyer Personal Injury Law Firm can help.
Property owners are responsible for ensuring their homes and businesses are free of slip and trip hazards. When blatant negligence results in someone falling and getting injured, state laws can help the victim take legal action to hold the owner accountable for failing to abide by their duties.
Our attorneys are well-versed in Tennessee premises liability laws. We are prepared to meet with you, evaluate your situation, and help you explore your legal rights and options.
We are also here to help you with accident-related matters, like finding a repair shop or physician who won’t charge you upfront. When you reach out to us, we can schedule a free, no-obligation consultation to help you decide what steps you need to take to get your life back in order as quickly as possible.
Legal Services From a Chattanooga Slip and Fall Attorney
At CEO Lawyer Personal Injury Law Firm, we are well aware of insurance companies’ tactics to reduce and deny claims. It is important to remember that you are just a claim number to an insurance adjuster; they have a job to do — which often involves protecting their company’s bottom line.
When you work with us to file your claim, we will take the necessary precautions to prevent anything from jeopardizing your chance of pursuing the compensation you deserve.
In addition to managing the ins and outs of your personal injury claim, we offer other services to ensure you have the smoothest claims process possible. Not only will we work with you to achieve the highest possible settlement, but we can recommend physicians who will not charge you out-of-pocket.
If you are in a difficult financial situation, we can help you apply for a pre-settlement loan. No matter your situation, we are here to work for you.
Common Causes of Slip and Fall Accidents
While some falls are unpreventable, many are caused by specific conditions that can and should be remedied before a person is seriously hurt. Property owners and occupants who fail to maintain their properties may be liable for injuries and losses.
Some of the most common causes of slip and fall accidents include:
- Uneven and wet surfaces that create hazardous walking conditions, like loose floorboards, torn carpeting, broken stairs or handrails, spills, and cracks or potholes in sidewalks and parking lots
- Poor weather conditions, particularly in the wintertime when property owners fail to shovel and ice their sidewalks or driveways
- Failure to warn occurs when a property owner is aware of a hazard, fails to fix it (or is unable to reasonably do so), and fails to inform visitors about the risk
- Dimly lit areas are a risk for visitors to any property, particularly in stairwells and sidewalks
- Clutter can easily cause a fall, mainly when walkways are difficult for visitors to maneuver through
No matter the circumstances that resulted in your fall, our attorneys are prepared to evaluate your accident and determine the cause to relate it to the legal concept of negligence.
The Consequences of a Slip and Fall
According to the CDC, millions of people fall and get injured every year. While anyone can sustain serious injuries, the consequences are even more severe for the 65 and older population.
Approximately 20% of falls result in severe injuries like broken bones and head trauma. With over 800,000 fall victims hospitalized annually, falls are painful and costly.
Some other common fall injuries include:
- Severe bruising
- Spinal cord damage
- Neck injuries
- Sprains and strains
- Lacerations
- Mental confusion
No matter the extent of your injuries, it is imperative to seek medical treatment after a fall. Not only do you want to ensure that you are properly diagnosed and treated, but you also want to have an accurate account of your injuries via your medical records.
Obtaining medical records promptly after your accident will help your claim by documenting your injury close to the date your accident occurred. Also, if you choose to delay medical care, you could experience worsening injuries, and you may not have the proof you need to back up your case.
When you work with attorney Ali Awad, you can get assistance finding medical treatment from doctors willing to wait for payment until your case is resolved. We help injury victims in Chattanooga get the services and resources they need to recover after their accident.
While injuries are often the most troubling consequence of a fall, victims are also left to deal with unexpected expenses. Even with medical insurance, you could be looking at significant hospital bills.
When someone else’s actions or inactions contributed to your fall, you should not be held accountable for those debts.
You may also need to take time off work to recover as fully as possible. Even a few days of lost income can make it difficult for a family to put food on the table and keep their lights on, let alone manage additional expenses.
When you work with a Chattanooga attorney like Ali Awad, you can rest assured that all of your losses will be considered when valuing your claim. We won’t leave a stone unturned when calculating what you are owed.
Filing a Claim After a Slip and Fall Accident
Every slip and fall accident is unique. The circumstances that led to your fall, injuries, and the at-fault party will differ from any other victim’s claim.
Fortunately, our attorneys recognize the importance of those details and will ensure they are heard loud and clear when you file an injury claim.
While every claim may be unique, there are certain steps you can expect to go through. We will walk you through each phase of the process and answer any questions you may have along the way.
Understanding the Claims Process
When you reach out to us to learn about filing a slip and fall claim, we will begin by asking you to tell us about the accident in as much detail as possible. Some questions you can anticipate answering include:
- When and where did you fall?
- What were the conditions of the property where you fell?
- Did anyone see you fall?
- Did the fall occur on public or private property?
- What is the prognosis of your injuries?
From there, we will conduct a thorough investigation of your accident. We may collect photographs or videos of the accident site, medical records, witness statements, and other applicable evidence.
Once we have the information we need to build a claim on the basis of negligence, we can determine a fair valuation for your injuries and losses. Then, we file the claim with the property owner’s insurance company or any other appropriate insurer.
Once negotiations begin, you will likely receive a settlement offer you can choose to accept, counter, or deny. In the event settling is not a possibility, we can review your options for pursuing further action and filing a lawsuit.
Premises Liability Laws in Tennessee
Premises liability laws are established at the state level. In Tennessee, property owners owe a duty of care to guests.
Tennessee recognizes separate duties for two types of property visitors: invitees and licensees.
An invitee is someone who enters a property for a reason that is beneficial to both parties, like a grocery store. A customer enters to purchase groceries, from which the owner profits.
A licensee is someone who has express or implied content to enter a property. You are considered a licensee when you visit a friend’s home for dinner.
There is also a third category: trespassers. A trespasser does not have permission to enter a property.
Typically, invitees are owed the greatest duty of care, followed by licensees. Trespassers are not owed any duty of care, except intentional and premeditated harm, unless they are minor children.
Assuming you were an invitee or licensee at the time of your accident, you should be able to pursue a claim. When you work with our lawyer, we will determine your status and review any other applicable laws that may apply to your claim so you have the best chance of recovering a monetary award.
Compensation for Slip and Fall Accidents
While there is no foolproof way to determine what offer an insurance company might make regarding compensation, we will calculate your losses to make sure you know what your claim is reasonably worth. To do so, we will consider the following:
- Current and future medical bills
- Lost wages
- Lost earning capacity
- Property damage
- Pain and suffering
Contact a Chattanooga Slip and Fall Law Firm
If you or someone you love has been injured in an accident, a Chattanooga slip and fall lawyer from CEO Lawyer Personal Injury Law Firm is ready to come to your aid.
We understand the challenges fall victims face, and we have access to the knowledge and resources to help them pursue the compensation they need. Our primary goal is to help all clients manage their accident-related expenses and take the time they need to heal.
The sooner you get in touch with our law firm after your accident, the more time we will have to build a strong case on your behalf. If you choose to file a claim with our help, we will guide you through the process and ensure you understand your rights every step of the way.
As always, we provide legal services on a contingent basis. We only discuss payment if and when we produce successful results.
You deserve the opportunity to heal and move forward after an accident. We can help you seek the compensation needed to do just that. Contact us online or call (423) 777-8888 today to learn more.