Mississippi Slip & Fall Lawyer
Slip and fall accidents are caused by slipping, stumbling, or tripping and then falling down. You might have a legal claim against the property owner or business for your injuries if they were negligent in some situations. These claims fall under the general practice area of premises liability.
Under premises liability, property owners and businesses have a duty to keep their property reasonably safe for visitors. If you suffered a slip and fall on someone else’s property, contact a Mississippi slip & fall lawyer who can let you know whether you have a valid premises liability case.
At Lunsford, Baskin & Priebe, PLLC, we have years of experience helping Mississippi clients with all their personal injury needs, including slip and fall lawsuits. We understand how premises liability cases work, and we know what types of evidence are necessary to hold a property owner accountable for their negligence.
Common Causes of Slip and Fall Accidents
Numerous hazards and dangerous conditions can give rise to a Mississippi slip and fall accident. Some of the most common causes of a slip and fall include:
- Ice/water on the floor;
- Other spilled liquids;
- Fallen objects on the floor;
- Loose or broken handrail;
- Uneven or broken sidewalks;
- Torn carpet or loose floor tiles;
- Potholes or other hazards in a parking lot;
- Poor lighting;
- Inadequate security; and
- Lack of handicap access.
Slip and fall accidents can result in serious injuries, especially if you are older. According to the National Floor Safety Institute, falls account for over eight million emergency room visits each year. Of those, over one million are slip and falls, roughly 12% of the total number of falls.
Proving Liability in a Slip and Fall Accident
To collect compensation for your injuries in a slip and fall accident, you need to prove liability against the property owner or business. If the responsible parties breach their duty to maintain their premises, it could open the door to a premises liability claim. You must prove each of the following elements:
- Your injuries resulted from a dangerous condition or hazard on the owner’s property;
- Your injury was not due to your own carelessness or intentional actions;
- The property owner or business should’ve known the defect existed; and
- The property owner or business was negligent and failed to fix the problem in a reasonable amount of time.
Proving liability sounds like it might be easy, but it’s often very challenging. That’s why you need an experienced attorney who has the skills to establish liability against the responsible parties.
What to Do Following a Slip & Fall
After an injury, you might be confused about what exactly you should do. If your injuries aren’t severe enough to require emergency transport to the hospital, try to document the scene as best you can. Take photos of the hazard, surrounding space, and of your injuries.
Report the accident to a manager or security guard if possible. If there are any witnesses, get their contact information. These people can strengthen your case if liability is disputed. Do not admit fault or give any recorded statements to the property owner or insurance company. If you are asked to sign something, refuse until you can get a lawyer to review it.
Hiring a Mississippi slip and fall lawyer is highly recommended. You need someone who can protect your rights and help you hold the responsible parties accountable for your injuries. To learn more about how we can help, contact Lunsford, Baskin & Priebe, PLLC today to schedule an initial consultation.