Dec 22, 2022
If you’ve been involved in a slip-and-fall accident at a property you don’t own, you may be eligible for compensation. Even minor slip and fall accidents can impact your life – whether it’s a broken wrist that prevents you from working or a sprained ankle that limits your mobility. Unfortunately, some slip-and-fall accidents lead to life-altering consequences, such as paralysis and brain injury.
In a slip-and-fall accident, bear in mind that there are other parties who may be responsible for maintaining the property and ensuring the safety of the public. This can include negligence, structural defects, hidden hazards, and more that fall under the responsibility of the property owner of residential, commercial, and government buildings.
What is considered a slip-and-fall accident?
Slip and fall accidents can happen anywhere and at any time. Technically speaking, a slip-and-fall accident is when someone is injured due to slipping and falling for any reason. Legal action can be taken if the accident happens on someone else’s property.
The injured person must have been using the property lawfully when the slip and fall occurred, such as being invited to enter the property or the property is open to the public. Public places include (but are not limited to):
- Restaurants and bars
- Commercial and retail stores
- Schools and universities
- Movie theatres
- Recreational venues
- Public parks and playgrounds
- Public roads and sidewalks
- Parking lots and parking garages
If the person is an employee or contractor working at the property, then a different claim may need to be filed depending on worker’s compensation laws. Trespassers do not have the right to take legal action against the property owner for any injury they sustain while on the property.
Steps to take after a slip and fall accident
If your injuries are serious, your priority is to seek medical attention quickly. If you are physically able to, be sure to take the following steps:
- Get the names and contact information of any witnesses.
- Take photos of the accident, including the location, the surface, and the footwear you had on at the time of the accident.
- Get the exact address of the location.
- Write down as much detail about the accident as possible while it’s still fresh in your mind. When you’re injured and stressed, it can be easy to forget minor details that can make a significant impact on your case.
- Notify the business manager or the property owner of your slip and fall.
- Contact a personal injury lawyer at Resolute Law Group.
If you aren’t able to take photos because of your injuries, have a family member or friend return to the scene to take pictures. Unfortunately, insurance companies fight slip and fall claims, and you may not receive fair compensation, if at all. Having the help of an experienced personal injury lawyer helps ensure you get the compensation you deserve.
Where to find a personal injury lawyer in Calgary
Our lawyers at Resolute Law Group have practiced in bodily injury claims for many years. In fact, bodily injury claims form the vast majority of our practice. We have seen the impact that bodily injuries can have on an individual’s life – the last thing you need is the stress of fighting an insurance company for compensation that you may be entitled to.
Whether you’re speaking to a personal injury lawyer or a car accident lawyer, we don’t take bodily injury claims lightly. Our priority is to protect your rights and provide you with correct, objective and clear advice on your options.
Injury claims need proof, and our clients often don’t know where to start or how to finance the documents and medical evidence necessary to prove their case. We take on that expense while you’re injured by funding and requesting the necessary documents and evidence. Our lawyers have experience advancing a wide range of personal injury claims and would be happy to provide a free consultation over the phone or in person.