When you visit a business, property or even a friend’s home, you have an expectation of safety. If you step on a stair and it breaks, causing you to slip and fall, the injuries can be severe. As your Colerain Township slip and fall accident lawyer, we’ll:
Hold responsible parties accountable for your injuries
Negotiate with uncooperative insurance companies
Seek the maximum compensation possible
Your injuries, pain and suffering, medical bills, lost work and other damages shouldn’t cause you stress at a time when you should be focusing on healing.
We’re here to help you navigate these trying times.
Laws Pertaining to Seeking Damages for Slip and Fall Injuries in Ohio
Slip and fall injuries have a two-year statute of limitations under Ohio Revised Code section 2305.10. You, or your Colerain Township slip and fall accident lawyer, have two years from the accident to file a lawsuit seeking damages.
You can also seek damages for any property that was damaged in the fall.
If your expensive watch broke in the fall, you may be able to seek damages to have the watch replaced or repaired.
Common Injuries Caused by Slip and Fall Accidents
Slips and falls can happen to anyone, and the causes will vary based on the location of the fall. In a grocery store, spills or improper signage for wet floors can be the reason for your injuries.
If you slip and fall in a parking lot, the cause may be inadequate lighting, uneven surfaces or a pothole.
While the cases of slips and falls may vary, the injuries often include:
Broken bones
Back injuries
Brain injuries
Concussions
Neck injuries
Shoulder injuries
Spinal cord injuries
Hip and pelvis injuries are also common. A broken hip may require surgery and physical therapy. If a victim is older, a broken hip can limit mobility and lead to three times the risk of death in people over the age of 65 within three years of the injury.
What to Do After a Slip and Fall Injury
If you have been injured in a slip-and-fall accident, the first steps you take after the incident are crucial.
Seek medical attention. If you fail to seek medical treatment for your injuries, the insurance company may view this as evidence that your injuries were not severe.
Gather evidence and document the details of the incident. If possible, take photos or videos of the scene.
Contact an attorney.
A lawyer will help you determine whether you have a case and pursue compensation for your injuries.
Determining Fault in Ohio Slip and Fall Accidents
Under Ohio law, property owners or those responsible for property maintenance have a responsibility to ensure the property is reasonably safe for visitors.
To establish liability, you must be able to demonstrate that the opposing party was negligent in maintaining the property.
Here are some examples:
The property owner was aware of a hazard or should have known of a hazard. Maybe there was a spill and the property owner had ample time to warn of the hazard or clean it up, but they failed to do so.
The property owner failed to keep the property free of hazards or warn of potential dangers.
We must also be able to show that the hazardous condition was the direct cause of the accident and subsequent injuries.
To determine whether you have a case, we first need to know the details of the incident. Was the other party negligent?
To succeed with a personal injury claim, the other party must have:
Owed you a duty of care
Violated that duty, which caused the accident, your injuries and damages
Determining whether you have a case is the first step. Calculating the value of your claim can be more complex.
There may be a variety of damages you can pursue, including:
Medical expenses
Lost income
Pain and suffering
The value of your claim will depend on the severity of your injuries, whether you were partially negligent and several other factors.
Ohio is a contributory negligence state. If you contributed to the accident in any way, your percentage of negligence can reduce the amount of damages you can recover.
Slip and fall accidents can cause serious injuries, including head injuries, traumatic brain injuries and even nerve damage.
But even a less serious injury, such as a broken bone, can make your life more difficult, require costly treatment and force you to take time off of work to heal.
If you were injured in a slip-and-fall accident caused by someone else’s negligence, you may be entitled to compensation. Working with the right lawyer is crucial.
The right lawyer will have:
Experience handling slip-and-fall injury claims
Excellent negotiation skills and a never-back-down attitude
A positive reputation with clients and a track record of success
Excellent communication skills and a responsive, compassionate team
The resources to build a strong claim and give your case the attention it deserves
Your lawyer should help you navigate the claims process, so you can focus on what’s most important: healing.
How Kruger & Hodges Can Help with Your Slip and Fall Claim in Colerain
At Kruger & Hodges, we understand how serious and life-changing slip-and-fall injuries can be. We are committed to our clients and helping them obtain the compensation they deserve for their injuries.
We know the tactics and tricks insurance companies use to avoid paying a fair settlement. We’ll fight zealously for you and leverage our knowledge to achieve the best possible outcome.
Contact us today to speak with a Colerain Township slip and fall accident lawyer and schedule a free consultation.