Slip and fall injuries occur more often than most people realize. The National Floor Safety Institute reports that slip and fall incidents account for one million emergency room visits each year. Unfortunately, many of these incidents occur due to someone else’s negligence. A slip and fall incident may cause severe, life-altering personal injuries and significantly change your quality of life.
At Rose Knows Law, P.L.L.C., Attorney Dale R. Rose provides dependable legal representation to individuals who need help recovering compensation for injuries sustained in slip and fall incidents. With nearly 33 years of legal experience representing people injured in harmful incidents across Texas and more than 37 years of combined firm experience, our team is ready to fight for the compensation you deserve. Our McKinney premises liability attorneys understand what it takes to build a strong claim on your behalf.
Common Slip and Fall Injuries in McKinney
Slip and fall injuries may cause debilitating, long-term consequences that affect your everyday life. Beyond the fall itself, you may also suffer injuries from striking your head or landing on a hard surface. Some common injuries resulting from a slip and fall incident include:
- Traumatic brain injury
- Bruises and cuts
- Bone fractures
- Ankle and wrist sprains
- Nerve damage
- Spinal cord injury
- Hip fracture
- Dislocated bones
- Soft tissue damage
Seek immediate medical treatment after a slip and fall incident, even if you do not feel injured right away. Some injuries may not present symptoms until hours or days after the incident, and leaving them untreated may lead to more serious complications. Prompt medical documentation also plays an important role in supporting your claim.
Hazards That Lead to Slip and Fall Incidents
In spaces where proper cleaning and public safety practices are expected, someone’s negligence may cause serious injuries. Common hazards that may lead to a slip and fall incident include:
- Wet or slippery floors: Water left on floors without proper warnings may create dangerous conditions for anyone walking through the area.
- Poor lighting: Inadequate lighting in hallways, stairways, and parking areas may make it difficult to see hazards and increase the risk of a fall.
- Broken sidewalks: Property owners and municipal entities are responsible for maintaining walkways. Cracks and uneven surfaces may cause serious tripping injuries.
- Floor defects: A defect or problem with a floor that was created or left unaddressed by the property owner is a common cause of slip and fall injuries.
A clear example of negligence is when a wet floor sign is not placed in a recently cleaned or polished area. When a property owner or employee fails to provide adequate warning of a known hazard, and someone is injured as a result, that failure may give rise to a legal claim.
Photograph or video the scene of your fall as soon as possible after the incident. The photos should show what caused your fall and the surrounding area. If a repair is made before you document the scene, it may become significantly more difficult to prove your case.
Your Rights Under Texas Premises Liability Law
Property owners in Texas have a legal duty to maintain their premises in a reasonably safe condition and to warn visitors of known hazards. When they fail to meet this duty and someone is injured as a result, the injured person may have grounds to pursue compensation through a premises liability claim.
Texas follows a modified comparative negligence rule, meaning you may still recover damages even if you bear some responsibility for the fall, as long as you are not found to be more than 50% at fault. Your compensation may be reduced proportionally to your degree of fault. An attorney may help gather evidence and build a case that accurately reflects the property owner’s responsibility for your injuries.
Under Texas law, you generally have two years from the date of your slip and fall incident to file a personal injury lawsuit. Missing this deadline may result in losing your right to pursue compensation entirely. Contacting an attorney promptly after a fall helps ensure you do not miss any critical deadlines.
What to Do After a Slip and Fall Incident
Taking the right steps after a slip and fall may significantly strengthen your claim. Report the incident to the property owner, manager, or supervisor immediately and request a copy of any incident report that is created. Seek medical attention right away, both for your health and to create documentation linking your injuries to the fall.
If you are able, document the scene with photos or video before conditions change. Gather the contact information of any witnesses who saw what happened. Avoid making statements about fault or signing any documents from an insurance company before speaking with an attorney.
How Our Attorneys May Help Your Slip and Fall Claim
Filing a slip and fall claim may feel overwhelming, but our McKinney attorneys may guide you through the process. Some of the ways our personal injury attorneys may assist your case include:
- Establishing negligence against the property owner or responsible party
- Providing legal advice tailored to the specific facts of your case
- Negotiating settlement offers with insurance companies
- Calculating the full value of your damages
- Gathering evidence and documentation to support your claim
- Representing your interests throughout the legal process
Medical fees, rehabilitation costs, and other financial losses may add up quickly and make it difficult to focus on recovery. With an attorney handling your claim, you may pursue the compensation needed to cover your losses and move forward.
Compensation You May Recover
A successful slip and fall claim may result in compensation for a range of losses, including:
- Medical bills and future medical expenses
- Physical therapy and rehabilitation costs
- Lost wages and loss of future earning capacity
- Pain and suffering
- Emotional distress
- Loss of enjoyment of life
The full value of your claim depends on the nature and severity of your injuries, the impact on your daily life, and the degree of the property owner’s negligence. Attorney Dale R. Rose carefully evaluates each case to pursue maximum compensation for every client.
Frequently Asked Questions About Slip and Fall Cases in McKinney
How long do I have to file a slip and fall claim in Texas?
Under Texas law, you generally have two years from the date of the incident to file a personal injury lawsuit. Missing this deadline may mean losing your right to pursue compensation, so it is important to consult an attorney as soon as possible.
Who may be liable for my slip and fall injuries?
Liability may fall on a property owner, a business, a property management company, a municipality, or another party responsible for maintaining the area where you fell. An attorney may help identify all potentially liable parties and build a claim accordingly.
What if I was partially at fault for my fall?
Texas follows a modified comparative negligence rule. As long as you are not found to be more than 50% responsible for the incident, you may still recover compensation. Your award may be reduced proportionally to your degree of fault.
Do I need to report my fall to the property owner?
Yes. Reporting your fall to the property owner or manager and requesting a copy of any incident report helps document that the fall occurred and that the property owner was made aware. This documentation may be important evidence in your claim.
What does it cost to hire a slip and fall attorney?
Rose Knows Law, P.L.L.C. handles slip and fall cases on a contingency fee basis, meaning you pay no attorney fees unless we recover compensation for you. Your initial consultation is also free.
A slip and fall injury may affect every area of your life, from completing daily activities to fulfilling job responsibilities. Attorney Dale R. Rose has nearly 33 years of legal experience, has tried over 165 first-chair jury trials across more than 54 Texas counties, and has recovered over $18 million for clients since 2010. You work directly with Dale on all aspects of your case. Call (972) 634-ROSE (7673) or complete our online contact form to schedule a free consultation today.