Slip and fall injuries are among the most common in the nation. Emergency rooms see over 1 million falling injuries, also the leading cause for ER visits at a whopping 22 percent. While slip and fall injuries don’t comprise the main cause of work fatalities, they do account for the leading cause of time off work, which averages 31 days. When medical bills, lost wages, legal fees and other expenses are tallied, disabling work injuries from falls average between $250,000 and $300,000 in cost per year, per injury. It’s important if you are injured in a slip and fall incident that you do everything you can to secure your rights and compensation. Your life will already be impacted by recovering from the injuries. You don’t also need to worry about not only financial, but other burdens that go along with it.
Compensation for a Slip and Fall in Visalia
Premises Liability Law (PLL) outlines the way liability is determined for any accidents, including the common slip and fall, which results in injuries or damages in Visalia, CA. Whether the fall happens on private, business, or government/public property, the owner or operator of that property can be held liable for any preventable aspect of the property which is implicated in the cause of the fall. While it’s not usually the fault of the person falling, it’s important to understand the particulars of PLL in order to make sure you file your claim correctly and according to the provisions of that law. Here are some quick facts about receiving compensation through the Premises Liability Law:
- Obstructions, slippery materials and poorly maintained property might all lend credibility to a personal injury claim.
- Visalia has its own ordinances regarding the responsibilities of a property owner, which could impact your claim.
- If the property party is found liable for the victim’s injuries, the injured party may be entitled to compensation for emotional and physical pain and suffering, lost wages, medical bills, and possibly other damages.
- The status of the person who slipped on the property of another is important to establish. Possible options for status include terms such as invitee, licensee or trespasser. Your attorney will have to determine and support this status. These terms help determine who is liable.
- An invitee-someone invited to the property by the owner-is most likely to be entitled to compensation. The property owner has a responsibility to take the most care to protect them from harm.
- Licensees-those with permission to be on the property-must be warned of potential hazards on the property by the owner and may be assigned liability for hazards they know about.
- Even a trespasser may have a case for a claim if injured, if they can prove the property owner was aware of their presence on the property while simultaneously aware of hazards. If the owner did not know about the trespasser on their property, there is no obligation for the trespasser’s safety.
Because making all these distinctions can be tricky, it’s always important to hire a competent a slip and fall attorney, preferably one that is local to Visalia. The Maison Law Firm will help you navigate through the various intersecting laws regarding your claim while protecting and further investigating your entitlement to damages. Don’t go in alone or trust just anyone to help you. Contact us today for your free consultation.
