Slipping or tripping unexpectedly on someone else’s property can lead to severe injuries, sometimes necessitating months of intensive medical care and a lengthy recovery process. Proving that the property owner was at fault can be a difficult but necessary step in protecting your long-term interests.
A Webster Groves slip and fall lawyer at OnderLaw can make all the difference in your ability to effectively recover compensation. Every law firm says they put their clients first, but we’ve proven it for more than two decades. We take the safety of our Webster Groves friends and neighbors seriously, and we go above and beyond to ease their suffering.
From establishing the property owner’s negligence to proving your injuries and losses, an experienced personal injury attorney at our firm will offer the custom-tailored support and guidance you need.
We can connect you with medical experts who understand your needs. At times, we’ve also hired private investigators and used accident recreation technology to prove cases in court. Above all, we won’t encourage you to settle for an amount that is less than what you should receive.
We take a client-centered approach in every case, meaning that we work with you to ensure your rights and interests are protected.
Importantly, property owners in Missouri are not automatically legally at fault for any injury a person suffers on their property. To hold a responsible party accountable, you and your lawyer must prove the slip and fall happened because the property owner breached a “duty of care” they owed to you. As our Webster Groves slip and fall attorneys can further explain, owners do not owe the same duty to every person who visits their property.
What counts as a breach of duty can vary significantly from case to case, depending on how the accident happened and whether the property owner reasonably should have known about the hazard. For example, if someone slips on an unmarked puddle in a grocery store aisle, the amount of time that puddle went unaddressed can be a major factor in an ensuing lawsuit. The store owner or operator might be liable for a puddle left unaddressed for multiple hours, but not for one that occurred just seconds before the accident.
Insurance companies and defense lawyers might argue that your own negligence contributed to causing your accident or worsening your injuries. Without legal counsel to defend you, this could be held against you during civil court hearings or settlement negotiations. Your compensation could be decreased according to your percentage of the blame. For instance, if you are found 25 percent at fault for slipping and falling, you can only get compensation for 75 percent of your overall damages.
Additionally, anyone who waits longer than five years after initially sustaining a slip and fall injury will likely be barred from getting any compensation, as per Missouri Revised Statutes § 516.120. While this might seem like a long time, it can pass quickly while dealing with accident-related injuries and losses.
Speak with a skilled lawyer at OnderLaw as soon as possible after a trip and fall accident in Webster Groves. We can help improve your odds of success in your case.
Slipping or tripping because another person did not maintain their property can lead to injuries that disrupt every area of your life. Bringing a civil claim may be crucial to protecting your best interests and making your best recovery, and it may be the only way you can receive compensation.
To give yourself the best chance of a positive outcome, reach out to a Webster Groves slip and fall lawyer at OnderLaw. We are here to handle every aspect of your case while you focus on recovering.
Our team supports each client above and beyond the legal side of things—we stand with you and we stand for you. Give us a call today to discuss your story and learn the next steps in your path to recovery.
