Denver Slip & Fall Attorney
Slip and fall accidents may not sound dangerous at first, but these incidents can cause serious injuries and can even be life-threatening to older individuals or people with some health conditions. When a person slips and falls, he or she may be able to sue whoever owns the property where the fall occurred. Depending on the nature of the incident, plaintiffs may secure compensation for their medical bills, lost income, and pain and suffering. Denver residents who have suffered slip and fall injuries should know their options for securing compensation after suffering such injuries. The Denver personal injury team at Bryan & Terrill Law wants to offer our experience and legal training to anyone in the Denver area who has suffered a slip and fall injury.
Slip and Fall Damages
A slip and fall incident can lead to various injuries including broken bones, head injuries, spinal injuries, and even internal organ damage. Additionally, falling into some hazards can also cause burns, deep cuts, and additional wounds. The National Floor Safety Institute reports that slip and fall accidents account for more than eight million emergency room visits every year. Slip and fall injuries are also the primary cause for missed days from work and the leading cause of workers’ compensation claims.
After suffering a slip and fall injury, the injured party can sue for damages including:
- Medical expenses. Including hospital bills, surgical fees, the costs of any necessary ongoing treatments following the incident, prescriptions, medical devices like walkers, crutches, and wheelchairs, and any other healthcare-related expenses resulting from the slip and fall incident.
- Pain and suffering. Many slip and fall injuries cause painful wounds, and older individuals who suffer slip and fall injuries may face more serious medical complications as well. Plaintiffs can sue for the physical, mental, and emotional pain caused by a defendant’s negligence
- Lost income. If a plaintiff’s injuries prevent returning to work for an extended time, the plaintiff can sue for the wages lost in that time.
Most slip and fall cases fall under the purview of premises liability law. Property owners have a legal duty of care to the people who lawfully visit their properties. They must address known safety hazards in a timely and acceptable manner, or warn lawful guests to the property about known hazards if fixing them isn’t possible at the moment. When they fail to do so, and a guest on the property suffers a slip and fall injury, the property owner incurs liability. Slip and fall injuries on publicly managed properties will mean suing a government agency or public office, and these claims work differently than typical claims against private individuals or businesses.
It’s important to note that property owners owe nothing to trespassers, only to lawful visitors on the property. If a trespasser suffers a slip and fall injury, he or she cannot sue because the property owner did not give him or her permission to enter the property. This protection does not extend to trespassing children, however. Property owners must take the possibility of wandering children into account, if such a possibility exists for the property.
Finding Legal Counsel in Denver, CO
If you have suffered a slip and fall injury in the Denver area due to a property owner’s negligence, contact the attorneys at Bryan & Terrill to start building a personal injury claim. We know how to handle even the most complex premises liability cases, so reach out to our team to schedule a consultation.