Bergeron Law Firm – Serving all of Northern VA

If you or a loved one were seriously injured in a slip and fall accident, there are real-world problems that need to be solved, questions that you need to have answered, and you may have the legal right to seek compensation from the person or company responsible for your injury.

Slip and fall accidents are common and can cause serious injury. These injuries range from mild to severe and can be life-threatening.  Falls can cause severe injuries including fractures and brain injuries. In fact, the CDC reported that in 2013, falls were the leading cause of traumatic brain injuries and the third leading cause of death from unintentional injuries.  Though anyone may be at risk, the youngest and oldest age groups are at higher risk of serious injury or death from a slip and fall.

Where and how do slip and fall accidents occur?

Many slip and fall accidents can be prevented with vigilance, proper maintenance and by exercising reasonable care in keeping your property safe for visitors. If there are hazards that cannot be corrected, a property owner or renter can help prevent injury by adequately warning visitors of that hazard.

Common causes for slip and fall accidents include:

  • Ice or snow
  • Gravel
  • Uneven pavement
  • Grass-covered holes
  • Potholes
  • Curbs
  • Cracks in sidewalks, driveways, or flooring
  • Changes in flooring surface (e.g transition from hardwood to carpeting)
  • Slippery floors or pavement
  • Stairways that are too steep
  • Stairways with narrow, overly wide, or uneven treads
  • Stairways with broken or missing handrails
  • Debris, objects or foreign substances on walkways
  • Changes in the height of the flooring such as a step down

Types of slip and fall injuries

Slip and fall accidents can cause life-changing injuries that dramatically affect your activities and enjoyment of life. You may be forced to undergo lengthy and expensive medical treatments and rehabilitation. Your ability to work and enjoy your favorite activities and interests can be impeded and you may have to adapt to ongoing, chronic pain.

Though not an exhaustive list, common injuries that result from slip and fall accidents include:

  • Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI)
  • Fractures
  • Neck, Shoulder, and Back injuries
  • Knee injuries
  • Spinal Cord Injury
  • Death

Legal action after a slip and fall

When you or a loved one are seriously injured in a slip and fall accident, you may have a personal injury claim against the property owner or the person or company renting or responsible for the maintenance of the property. In essence, a personal injury claim for a slip and fall accident requires proving that:

  • The owner or occupier of the property had a duty to you to take reasonable steps to maintain the property in a reasonably safe condition or to warn you of any unsafe condition that is not open and obvious,
  • The owner or occupier failed to satisfy that duty, and
  • You suffered an injury as a result of the owner’s actions or omissions.

Proving these elements can be complicated, especially since there are specific rules about how evidence is collected and presented in a courtroom.  Steve Bergeron can explain your legal rights and the law governing slip and fall accidents in Virginia and investigate your accident to determine if there is sufficient evidence to make a claim against the owner or occupier of the property on which you were injured.

If you or a loved one has been seriously injured in a slip and fall accident caused by the negligence of a property owner or occupier, you may be able to seek compensation for the damages related to your injury, including medical bills, lost income/wages, pain and suffering, mental anguish, and inconvenience. If the fall leads to a death, surviving family members may also recover compensation for the resulting including certain expenses and loss of support.  Steve Bergeron will work with your doctors and other medical providers to understand and explain the nature and extent of your injuries and their impact on your life.  Steve will also  investigate potential insurance coverages that might be available to reimburse you for your expenses and damages to try to help you solve the real-world problems caused by your injuries, so you can focus on getting well and getting back to your life.

So before you speak with an insurance adjuster, give Steve a call and he’ll do his best to explain the law governing slip-and fall accidents, your legal rights, and insurance coverages. Steve will advise you on whether you have a personal injury claim, whether or not you might need a lawyer, and how you can best try to solve the problems caused by your injury.