Slip & Falls

A split second is all it takes for a routine walk to turn into a life-altering event. Slip and fall accidents are a serious public safety concern with far-reaching consequences. From commercial stores to private homes, hazardous conditions left unaddressed by negligent property owners can lead to devastating physical injuries, mounting medical bills and a significant loss of quality of life. Addressing the true severity of these incidents is the first step in recognizing that victims deserve more than just an apology: they deserve compensation for the harm they’ve endured. 

At Arshad, Pangere & Warring, LLP, we understand the difficulties victims face after an injury. Our team advocates on your behalf, developing effective strategies to hold negligent parties accountable. 

The Serious Nature of Slip and Fall Accidents

A slip and fall accident happens when someone is injured on another person’s property due to a dangerous condition. While winter weather in Indiana contributes to icy sidewalks and slippery entryways, these accidents also happen year-round due to a lack of maintenance. Property owners have a duty to make sure their premises are maintained in a reasonably safe condition for all visitors. When they fail to do so, they may be liable for the resulting harm.

Many different factors can contribute to these dangerous incidents. Some of the most common causes include:

• Wet or slippery floors caused by spills or cleaning
• Uneven surfaces, such as cracked sidewalks or torn carpet
• Poor lighting that hides potential hazards
• Obstructions in walkways and aisles
• Broken handrails on staircases

These hazards can lead to severe physical trauma. Victims often suffer from fractured bones, spinal cord damage, dislocated joints and traumatic brain injuries. These medical issues often require extensive treatment, rehabilitation and time away from work, creating a financial burden for the victim and their family.

Property Owner’s Duty of Care and Negligence

In Indiana, premises liability cases revolve around the concept of “duty of care.” This legal principle states that property owners generally have an obligation to maintain a safe environment for people lawfully on their property. This duty includes conducting regular inspections and fixing known hazards in a timely manner.

Negligence occurs when a property owner breaches this duty. It is not enough to simply fall on someone’s property; you must prove the owner was at fault. This often involves the legal concept of “notice.” To win a claim, you generally must show that the property owner knew or reasonably should have known about the unsafe condition and failed to remedy it or warn visitors. For example, if a spill exists for several hours in a supermarket aisle, the store should have known about it through reasonable inspection.

Establishing a Slip and Fall Claim

Building a successful legal case requires meeting specific legal standards. Our slip and fall attorney works with you to gather evidence, interview witnesses and review maintenance records to build a strong argument. Four specific elements must be established:

• Duty of care: Proving the defendant owned or controlled the property and owed you a duty of safety.
• Breach of duty: Establishing that the property owner failed to uphold a safe environment or neglected to provide sufficient warning regarding known hazards.
• Causation: Document a clear link between the breach of duty and the resulting accident.
• Damages: Providing evidence of actual injuries and financial losses resulting from the fall.

Types of Damages Recoverable

If your claim is successful, you may be entitled to compensation for the losses you sustained. Indiana law allows injured parties to recover two main types of damages.

Economic damages cover quantifiable financial losses. This includes medical bills, physical therapy costs, lost wages from missed work and property damage.

Non-economic damages address the intangible impact of the injury on your life. This can include physical pain, emotional distress, diminished quality of life and lasting disfigurement. Calculating these damages can be complicated, but they are often where significant compensation is uncovered in serious injury cases.

Protect Your Future After an Accident

Slip and fall accidents can alter your life in an instant, leaving you with significant medical bills and physical pain. You do not have to handle the legal process alone. Seeking professional legal assistance is vital to improve your chances of receiving fair compensation.

Arshad, Pangere & Warring, LLP provides personalized legal solutions for your life. We are dedicated to helping you manage the aftermath of an injury with direct communication and a strong approach to litigation. Contact our experienced legal team today to learn how we can help you file your claim.