Slip And Fall lawyer St. Paul, MN

A slip-and-fall accident can bruise more than your pride. In fact, slip, trip and fall injuries can cause serious injury and leave you out of work for weeks. Property owners are responsible for keeping their premises safe for visitors, free of slip and fall hazards or defects that can make an accident more likely.

Filing a suit for a slip-and-fall accident sometimes gets a bad rap, but if you’re unable to work and have mounting medical bills from an accident you didn’t cause, then you have the right to demand that the at-fault party pay for your losses. Our skilled St. Paul, MN, slip-and-fall lawyer can build a case of negligence against the property owner and fight for just compensation in your claim. Contact Bennerotte & Associates, P.A. today for a free consultation.

How A St. Paul Slip And Fall Attorney Can Help You

Don’t be surprised if the property owner or their insurance company tries to blame you for falling. They may claim you were careless, wearing the wrong shoes, or should have known better than to walk where you were walking. Insurance companies can get creative when it comes to blaming victims, so you need savvy legal representation to combat their claims.

Our slip and fall attorney can investigate the incident and build a case proving negligence on the part of the property owner or manager. We can use photos and videos, witness statements, and medical records to demonstrate that the property owner failed in their duty to keep you safe. And, our experienced attorneys also know how to properly value your losses, from medical care to your pain and suffering.

Fighting For Fair Compensation In Slip And Fall Claims

Injuries from a slip and fall accident can be deceptively serious. Many people instinctively put out their hands to break the fall, which may cause broken or sprained wrists. Sprained or broken ankles are another common injury, as are painful neck, back, and spinal cord injuries. It may be hard for you to work while you’re healing or even take care of your own personal needs.

Rehabilitation from soft tissue damage, which commonly occurs in slip and fall accidents, can be painful. You may have to miss even more work to regain your abilities. Your settlement should cover your medical care and any unearned wages from time missed at work. You may also have chronic pain, and your settlement can cover pain and suffering, and emotional distress, too. We fight to secure the maximum value in your case, whether through out-of-court negotiations or in a courtroom.

Do You Need Help After A Slip And Fall Accident?

If you’ve been hurt after slipping and falling, we want to help you. Our St. Paul slip and fall lawyer from Bennerotte & Associates, P.A., can investigate your accident and provide personalized legal advice for your next steps. We offer free consultations, so call today to schedule yours!

Common Causes Of Slip And Fall Accidents And How To Prove Negligence

Slip and fall accidents are a frequent cause of injuries, often leading to significant medical bills, lost wages, and long-term health problems. Understanding the common causes of these accidents and knowing how to prove negligence can be pivotal for victims seeking compensation.

Common Causes Of Slip And Fall Accidents

Wet Or Slippery Floors

One of the most common causes of slip and fall accidents is wet or slippery floors. Spills, cleaning processes, and even weather conditions can create hazardous surfaces. Property owners have a responsibility to promptly clean up spills and post warning signs to prevent accidents.

Uneven Surfaces

Uneven surfaces, such as cracked sidewalks, loose flooring, or abrupt changes in floor level, pose significant risks. These hazards are often found in poorly maintained properties and can lead to severe injuries if not addressed properly.

Poor Lighting

Inadequate lighting in stairwells, hallways, and parking lots can cause accidents by obscuring potential hazards. Proper lighting is essential so that people can see and avoid obstacles in their path.

Obstructions

Items left in walkways, such as boxes, cables, or debris, can cause people to trip and fall. Property owners must keep pathways clear and verify that temporary obstructions are well-marked and easy to move around.

How To Prove Negligence In Slip And Fall Cases

To successfully claim compensation for a slip and fall accident, it is essential to prove that the property owner or manager was negligent. Here are the key elements needed to establish negligence:

Duty Of Care

The first step is to demonstrate that the property owner owed you a duty of care. This means showing that the owner was responsible for maintaining a safe environment. For example, store owners have a duty to keep their premises safe for customers, and landlords must make certain that rental properties are safe for tenants and visitors.

Breach Of Duty

Next, you must show that the property owner breached their duty of care. This involves proving that the owner knew or should have known about the hazardous condition and failed to take appropriate action to fix it. Evidence such as maintenance records, witness statements, and photographs of the hazard can be vital in establishing this breach.

Causation

It is essential to prove that the property owner’s breach of duty directly caused your accident and injuries. Medical records, accident reports, and expert testimony can help establish this link between the hazardous condition and your injuries.

Damages

Finally, you must demonstrate that you suffered actual damages as a result of the accident. This includes medical expenses, lost wages, pain and suffering, emotional distress, and other related costs. Detailed documentation of your injuries and financial losses will be necessary to support your claim.

Taking Legal Action After a Slip and Fall

Slip and fall accidents can result from a variety of hazardous conditions, often due to negligence on the part of property owners or managers. Understanding the common causes of these accidents and knowing how to prove negligence is vital for victims seeking compensation. Working with our St. Paul slip and fall attorney can significantly increase your chances of a successful claim, so that your rights are protected and that you receive fair compensation for your losses.

Top Mistakes To Avoid After A Slip And Fall Accident

Slip and fall accidents can happen anywhere, from grocery stores to parking lots, and they often result in serious injuries. Whether it’s a broken bone, a sprained ankle, or a head injury, the aftermath of a slip and fall can be overwhelming. Taking the right steps immediately after the accident can greatly impact your ability to recover compensation. Unfortunately, many people make mistakes that can jeopardize their case. Here are the top mistakes to avoid after a slip and fall accident.

Failing To Report The Accident

One of the most common mistakes people make is not reporting the accident right away. Whether you slipped at a store, restaurant, or someone else’s property, it’s essential to report the incident to the property owner or manager as soon as possible. Failing to do so can give the impression that the accident wasn’t serious or didn’t happen at all. When reporting the accident, ask for a written incident report, and make sure to get a copy for your records.

Not Seeking Medical Attention

Even if you feel fine immediately after the accident, it’s vital to seek medical attention. Many slip and fall injuries, such as concussions or internal injuries, may not show symptoms right away. Delaying medical care can worsen your injuries and make it harder to prove that the accident caused them. Be sure to visit a doctor, explain the circumstances of the fall, and follow any recommended treatment plans.

Additionally, your medical records will play a key role in documenting the severity of your injuries and connecting them to the slip and fall accident.

Not Documenting The Scene

One of the biggest mistakes is leaving the scene without gathering evidence. If you’re physically able, take photos or videos of the area where the fall occurred. Capture any hazardous conditions, such as wet floors, uneven surfaces, or poor lighting, that may have contributed to your fall. Documenting the scene right away is important, as conditions can quickly change, and the property owner may fix the issue before an investigation.

In addition to photos, collect the contact information of any witnesses who saw the accident. Their statements may help support your claim if there’s a dispute about what happened.

Not Consulting Our Slip And Fall Lawyer

One of the biggest mistakes is not hiring our lawyer early in the process. Slip and fall cases can be complicated, requiring a thorough understanding of premises liability laws and the ability to prove negligence. Our experienced personal injury lawyer will know how to gather evidence, negotiate with insurance companies, and build a strong case on your behalf.

Without our lawyer, you may miss out on the full compensation you’re entitled to, including medical expenses, lost wages, and pain and suffering.

Taking the Right Path Forward

A slip and fall accident at a business or private property can have lasting consequences, but avoiding these common mistakes can help protect your legal rights and increase your chances of recovering compensation. Report the accident, seek medical attention, document the scene, and consult our personal injury attorney to guide you through the legal process. Taking the right steps after a slip and fall can make all the difference in your recovery.

St. Paul Slip And Fall Infographic

St. Paul Slip and Fall Statistics

Slip and fall accidents are a leading cause of injuries in the U.S., accounting for over 1 million emergency room visits annually. Falls are the second-leading cause of unintentional injury deaths, with older adults at the highest risk. Workplace falls makeup 16% of all workers’ compensation claims, particularly in industries like construction and healthcare.

In retail and hospitality, slips on wet or uneven surfaces are common causes. The CDC reports that falls result in $50 billion in medical costs each year.

Slip And Fall FAQs

Slip and fall accidents can lead to serious injuries, ranging from broken bones to head trauma. If your accident occurred due to hazardous conditions on someone else’s property, you may be entitled to compensation. We can help you manage the legal process and hold responsible parties accountable. Below are frequently asked questions about slip and fall lawyers and how we can assist you.

What Does A Slip And Fall Lawyer Do?

Our slip and fall lawyer specializes in premises liability cases, where a property owner’s negligence leads to an injury. Our lawyers represent individuals who have been injured in slip and fall accidents, helping them to get fair compensation for their injuries, medical bills, lost wages, and pain and suffering. Our slip and fall attorney will investigate the accident, gather evidence, negotiate with insurance companies, and, if necessary, take your case to court.

When Should I Contact A Slip And Fall Lawyer?

You should contact our slip and fall attorney as soon as possible after your accident. The sooner our lawyer gets involved, the better they can gather essential evidence, such as photos of the scene, witness statements, and any video surveillance footage. Additionally, each state has a statute of limitations that sets a deadline for filing a personal injury lawsuit. Delaying action may result in you losing your right to pursue compensation.

What Types Of Compensation Can I Recover In A Slip And Fall Case?

In a slip and fall case, you may be entitled to several types of compensation, including:

• Medical expenses (current and future)
• Lost wages if you’ve missed work due to your injury
• Pain and suffering
• Rehabilitation costs
• Compensation for permanent disability or long-term effects

Our injury lawyer will assess the full extent of your damages and work to maximize the compensation you receive.

How Much Does It Cost To Hire A Slip And Fall Lawyer?

Most slip and fall lawyers work on a contingency fee basis, which means you don’t have to pay anything upfront. Instead, our lawyer takes a percentage of the settlement or court award if you win your case, typically ranging from 25% to 40%. This arrangement means that our lawyer is motivated to get you the best possible outcome since our payment depends on your success.

What Must I Prove To Win A Slip And Fall Case?

To win a slip and fall case, you must prove the following elements:

• Duty of care: The property owner or manager had a duty to keep the property safe for visitors.
• Breach of duty: The owner or manager failed to address a dangerous condition (e.g., a wet floor, broken stairs, or poor lighting).
• Causation: The dangerous condition directly caused your slip and fall accident.
• Damages: You suffered injuries or losses as a result of the accident.

Our slip and fall attorney will help you gather evidence to support these elements, making it easier to build a strong case.

St. Paul Slip And Fall Glossary

Slip and fall accidents can lead to significant injuries, unexpected medical bills, and financial challenges. At Bennerotte & Associates, P.A., we work with individuals in St. Paul, MN, who need experienced legal representation to pursue justice after these incidents. Below, we explain some key terms related to slip and fall cases, providing clarity for those dealing with this legal process.

Premises Liability

Premises liability is the foundation of most slip and fall cases. It holds property owners or managers accountable for maintaining a safe environment. When hazardous conditions, such as wet floors, poor lighting, or uneven surfaces, result in an injury, the property owner may be legally responsible. For example, a client we assisted fell on icy steps outside an apartment complex where no salt had been applied. The property owner’s negligence directly contributed to the injury, and we successfully pursued compensation for medical expenses and lost wages.

Duty Of Care

Duty of care refers to the legal obligation property owners or occupiers have to keep their premises safe for visitors. This means promptly addressing hazards like spills, broken railings, or obstructed walkways. When this duty is neglected, accidents happen. A recent case involved a grocery store where a spill was left unattended for hours, causing a customer to slip and fracture her wrist. Proving the store’s failure to uphold its duty of care was critical in achieving a favorable outcome for our client.

Breach Of Duty

A breach of duty occurs when a property owner or manager fails to uphold their legal responsibilities. Examples include not posting warning signs for wet floors, neglecting to repair broken stairs, or allowing clutter to obstruct walkways. These oversights often lead to injuries that could have been prevented. In one notable case, we represented a client who tripped over loose carpeting in a hotel lobby. The hotel’s failure to address the hazard led to a settlement that covered our client’s medical expenses and pain and suffering.

Comparative Negligence

Comparative negligence can play a significant role in slip and fall cases in Minnesota. It addresses situations where both the injured person and the property owner share some level of fault. For instance, if a visitor ignored visible warning signs and slipped on a freshly mopped floor, their compensation could be reduced based on their share of responsibility. We help our clients manage this challenging aspect of the law, so that they receive the compensation they deserve, even in complicated scenarios.

Damages

Damages are the financial compensation sought in slip and fall cases to cover the impact of an injury. These can include medical expenses, lost wages, pain and suffering, and rehabilitation costs. In one case, we secured $1,475,000 for a client who suffered brain damage after falling due to inadequate lighting in a parking garage. This settlement helped cover ongoing medical care and provided support for the client’s family.

Bennerotte & Associates, P.A., St. Paul Slip And Fall Lawyer

3085 Justice Way Suite 200, Eagan, MN 55121

Case Results That Matter

At Bennerotte & Associates, P.A., we have a proven record of securing significant compensation for our clients. From $3,100,000 in a wrongful death case to $1,200,000 in another, our work demonstrates our commitment to helping individuals rebuild their lives after a slip and fall accident.

If you or a loved one has been injured in a slip and fall accident, contact us today. We’re here to provide the legal support you need to recover and move forward. Schedule a free consultation with a member of our team to discuss your case.

Legal Representation for Slip and Fall Victims in St. Paul, Minnesota

If you’ve been injured in a slip and fall accident, working with our experienced personal injury lawyer can significantly improve your chances of receiving the compensation you deserve. From gathering evidence to negotiating with insurance companies, our St. Paul slip and fall lawyer will make sure that your rights are protected and that your case is handled professionally. Don’t wait to get the legal help you need—contact  Bennerotte & Associates, P.A. as soon as possible to explore your options. Attorney Thomas R. Bennerotte has decades of law experience and has been nationally recognized for his work representing injury victims. When in accident in Minnesota disrupts your life, we are here to help you. Get started today with a free consultation. You deserve financial justice and will fight to secure compensation for you.