Houston Slip & Fall Lawyer
A slip-and-fall accident can cause serious injuries, including fractures of the ankle or wrist, facial lacerations, back and neck injuries, and more. The elderly are especially vulnerable to a serious injury after a fall, such as a hip fracture, which for some begins a physical decline they cannot recover from. Not all slip-and-fall accidents can be prevented, but property owners have a duty to keep their premises reasonably safe to prevent unnecessary accidents that could easily be avoided. If you or a loved one has been injured in a slip and fall due to a hazardous condition on someone’s property, the Houston slip and fall lawyers at Livingston & Flowers will dedicate themselves to holding property owners accountable and seeing that you get the medical care and financial compensation that your health requires and that justice demands. Our team has more than 23 years of experience as personal injury lawyers in Houston, so rest assured that we have got your back through most circumstances.
When are Houston property owners liable for a slip and fall on their premises?
In general, a property owner can be liable for a slip and fall when the owner knew or should have known about a dangerous condition on the property, yet failed to fix it or warn the public about the hazard within a reasonable time after becoming aware of the condition. The nature of the duty owed can depend on the status of the injury victim in relation to the property owner. For instance, the slip & fall victim could be a(n):
- Invitee – This is someone who is invited onto the premises by the property owner, such as a customer or guest. Property owners are required to take reasonable steps to ensure the safety of their invitees.
- Licensee – A licensee is someone who comes onto the property for his or her own purposes or the owner’s purposes and has permission to enter, such as a salesperson, a delivery person, a repair person, or a utility worker. Property owners are required to warn licensees about hidden dangers they may not otherwise be aware of.
- Trespasser – A trespasser is someone on the property without permission or a lawful right to be there. Property owners don’t owe any duty of care toward trespassers. However, it is possible to be trespassing on someone’s property and not even know it. A property owner could potentially be liable for injury to a trespasser if the property did not have adequate fencing or signage warning away a potential trespasser.
What are the difficulties in pursuing a slip-and-fall claim?
Slip and fall premises liability cases are some of the most complex personal injury cases and some of the most challenging to win. Property owners may claim that they did not have time to discover the hazard and correct it before the accident occurred, such as in the case of a food or drink spill in a grocery store or restaurant. They may also claim that the hazard was obvious, and the victim’s own negligence in not paying better attention to where he or she was going was responsible for the accident. At Livingston & Flowers Law Firm, our experienced Houston personal injury lawyers know how to investigate an accident and determine its cause and who is to blame. We’ll examine security camera footage and company records, interview witnesses and employees, and work with accident reconstructionists and industry experts as needed to determine whether a property or store owner was negligent. We’ll build a strong case for maximum compensation, whether negotiating a settlement with the insurance company or taking your case to a jury trial if needed.
What are some of the most common causes of Houston slip and fall accidents?
Our Houston attorneys at law are ready to help with any type of premises liability accident, including, but not limited to, the following:
- Food or drink spill
- Leaking pipes
- Puddling and condensation from air conditioners and refrigeration units
- Slippery entrances and exits after a rain
- Boxes or merchandise blocking or cluttering aisles and walkways
- Boxes and merchandise falling from shelves
- Malfunctioning elevators or escalators
- Broken or missing handrails
- Broken steps
- Unmarked steps or ramps
- Broken curbs
- Cracked sidewalks
- Potholes in parking lots
- Torn carpeting
- Bunched-up or mislaid carpeting or floor mats
- Missing floor mats at entrances and exits
Get Help after a Houston Slip & Fall Accident
If you or a loved one has been seriously hurt in a Houston slip and fall accident, call Livingston & Flowers Law Firm at (877) 722-3277 for a free consultation with a team of seasoned and dedicated Houston personal injury lawyers.
