A slip-and-fall is a serious matter that can result in significant injuries. The cost of recovering from the damages of a fall can be high, but you may not always be able to secure the compensation you need for your injuries. If you are liable for the fall, you may not be able to file a claim against anyone for your injuries.
More than 3,000,000 people go to the hospital because of an accident from a fall. Because of how serious the consequences of a fall can be, it is important to know when a fall may or may not be your fault.
What determines fault in a slip-and-fall
Many times, the property owner is liable for the consequences of a slip-and-fall on their property. Property owners have a legal obligation to ensure their visitors will not suffer injuries on the property. If an accident does occur, it is likely that the owner should have known or already knew about the factors that led to the fall. While these injuries are often the fault of the property owner, there are some situations where you may be liable for your own fall:
- You were at your own home – if the fall took place on your own property, you will not likely be able to hold someone else accountable for your injuries.
- You ignored the cause of your fall – even if there is an uncleaned spill on a property or a loose handrail, you may be liable for the consequences if you notice these dangers and still interact with them.
- If you were intoxicated – your fall might not have happened if you were not under the influence of drugs or alcohol. Intoxication can keep you from earning the compensation you need.
- You were trespassing – if you entered onto someone else’s property without permission and then had a serious fall, the property owner may not have to pay for your injuries.
Depending on the circumstances of your injury, it is possible to miss out on the compensation you need to cover the costs of your injuries.
Get the compensation you need
If you had a serious slip-and-fall accident, do not take your future for granted. There is no guarantee that you will receive the compensation you need, but an experienced personal injury attorney can help you review your situation and determine your eligibility. Call a lawyer for more information about your potential claim today to begin pursuing the compensation you need.