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Slip-and-fall accidents happen when you least expect them, often resulting in serious injuries and major financial burdens.

If you or a loved one has suffered a slip-and-fall injury due to unsafe conditions on someone else’s property, you may be entitled to compensation. Our experienced Cleveland slip-and-fall injury lawyers are here to help you understand your legal rights and pursue the compensation you deserve.

Understanding Slip-and-Fall Injuries

Slip-and-fall injuries occur when a person loses their balance due to a hazardous condition, leading to a fall. Sadly, these accidents happen often in homes, workplaces, and public spaces (like grocery stores, malls, etc.).

Common scenarios that lead to slip-and-fall accidents include:

Wet or Slippery Floors: Spills, leaks, or recently cleaned floors can create slippery surfaces that are difficult to walk on safely. When slippery floors aren’t clearly marked with signage, that’s considered negligence.
Uneven Surfaces: Cracked sidewalks, potholes, or uneven flooring can cause a person to trip and fall.
Poor Lighting: Insufficient lighting in stairwells, hallways, or parking lots can make it difficult to see potential hazards.
Obstructions: Objects left in walkways, such as cords, debris, or merchandise, can create tripping hazards.

Typical injuries resulting from slip-and-fall accidents include:

Fractures: Broken bones, especially in the wrists, arms, and hips, are common in slip-and-fall incidents.
Head Injuries: Falls can lead to concussions or traumatic brain injuries (TBIs).
Sprains and Strains: Ankles, wrists, and knees are particularly susceptible to sprains and strains during a fall.

These injuries can range from mild to severe, often requiring extensive medical treatment, surgery, rehabilitation, and time away from work.

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Legal Rights and Premises Liability

In Ohio, property owners and managers must maintain safe conditions on their premises. This duty of care is a fundamental aspect of premises liability law, which holds property owners accountable for injuries that happened due to their negligence.

Premises Liability Law in Ohio: Under Ohio law, property owners must ensure that their property is free from hazards that could cause harm to visitors. If they fail to do so and someone is injured as a result, the property owner may be held liable for the victim’s injuries.
Duty of Care: Property owners are required to regularly inspect their property for potential hazards and quickly address any issues. This includes repairing damaged areas, cleaning up spills, and providing adequate warning of any dangers that cannot be immediately handled.
Legal Obligations: Property owners and managers must also ensure that their property complies with all relevant safety regulations and codes. Failure to meet these obligations can result in legal liability if someone is injured as a result.

Proving Liability in Slip-and-Fall Cases

While pursuing a slip-and-fall case, it is essential to prove the property owner was negligent and that their negligence directly caused your injury. Proving liability can involve the following key elements:

Dangerous Condition: The presence of a dangerous condition, such as a wet floor or uneven surface, must be established. This condition must have posed a foreseeable risk to the property’s visitors.
Property Owner’s Knowledge: It must be proven that the property owner knew or should have known about the dangerous condition and failed to fix or warn visitors about it.
Causation: There must be a direct link between the hazardous condition and the injury sustained in the slip-and-fall accident.
Evidence Collection: Gathering evidence is crucial in building a strong case. This includes taking photographs of the accident scene, obtaining witness statements, and securing incident reports. Medical records documenting your injuries are also important to prove the extent of the harm caused.
Role of Expert Witnesses: In some cases, expert witnesses, such as safety inspectors or medical professionals, may be called upon to provide testimony that supports your claim. These experts can help establish that the property owner failed to meet their duty of care and that this failure resulted in your injury.

Steps to Take After a Slip-and-Fall Accident

If you are involved in a slip-and-fall accident, taking the following steps is crucial to protecting your physical well-being and your legal rights:

Seek Medical Attention: Your health and safety should be your top priority. Seek medical attention immediately even if you don’t think you’re seriously injured. Receiving prompt medical care not only ensures your well-being but also creates a crucial legal record of your injuries.
Report the Incident: Notify the property owner, manager, or an employee about the accident right away. Ensure the incident is documented in an official report and request a copy for your records.
Document the Scene: Take photographs of the area where the incident occurred, focusing on any hazards that contributed to the accident. If possible, collect contact information from any witnesses who saw your accident.
Notify Insurance Companies: Report the accident to your insurance company and the property owner’s insurance provider. Be careful when speaking with insurance adjusters. It’s their job to minimize your claim, and they’ll twist your words to work against you. It is important to consult with an attorney before providing any statements.

Compensation for Slip-and-Fall Injuries

Victims of slip-and-fall accidents may be entitled to various types of compensation. Depending on the details surrounding their case, they may seek compensation for the following:

Medical Expenses: This includes coverage for hospital stays, surgeries, doctor visits, physical therapy, medications, and any other medical costs related to the injury.
Lost Wages: If your injuries prevent you from working, you may be compensated for the income you lose during your recovery period. In cases of permanent disability, compensation may also cover lost future wages.
Pain and Suffering: Slip-and-fall victims can seek compensation for the physical pain and emotional distress caused by their injuries. This type of compensation is often subjective. They may require testimony by medical experts to prove the extent of their suffering.

How Our Cleveland Slip-and-Fall Injury Lawyers Can Help

At Nurenberg Paris, we understand the challenges that slip-and-fall victims face, and we provide the following to all of our clients to help them through the legal process:

Personalized Case Evaluation and Legal Strategy: We develop a tailored legal strategy by meticulously evaluating the unique details of your case.
Gathering Evidence and Building a Strong Case: Our team is skilled in collecting the necessary evidence and consulting with experts to build a solid and compelling case to support your claim.
Negotiating with Insurance Companies and Opposing Parties: From the second we take your case, we’ll handle all communications and negotiations with insurance companies and other parties. We’ll negotiate for fair compensation while you focus on your recovery.
Representation in Court if Necessary: Slip-and-fall injury cases often settle outside of court. But if a fair settlement cannot be reached, we are fully prepared to take your case to court and stand up for your rights before a judge and jury.

Contact Our Cleveland Slip-and-Fall Injury Lawyers Today

If you or a loved one has been injured in a slip-and-fall accident, don’t hesitate to get the legal help you need. Contact our experienced Cleveland slip-and-fall injury lawyers today for a free consultation. We are here to advocate for your rights and fight for the compensation you need and deserve after a slip-and-fall accident.