Slip & Fall Lawyers in Columbia, MO
Relentless Representation Against Negligent Property Owners
Slips, trips, and falls can happen to anyone regardless of age, weather, or how careful you are. Many times, the injured person is not at fault for the accident; instead, a property hazard and a negligent property owner or manager are to blame.
If you or a loved one was injured in a slip and fall accident, you may have the option to file a claim to recover financial compensation. At DiPasquale Moore, we believe that the victim should not have to suffer because of the negligence of someone else. That’s why our Columbia lawyers will explore all available avenues and utilize all resources necessary to win your claim and obtain you the compensation you are legally owed.
Call (573) 444-8888 or contact us online today for a free consultation.
How to File a Slip & Fall Claim
Filing a slip and fall claim involves several steps, as you will have to investigate your claim, consult experts and witnesses, compile all information and evidence into the claim, and then submit it.
The legal process is not over once you file your claim, however. From here, you will have to obtain written and oral statements (affidavits and depositions, respectively), try to negotiate a settlement offer, argue your case in court, and more. Fortunately, a legal professional can take care of all this for you while keeping you in the know at every step of the way.
To bring your case to a favorable outcome, you and your attorney will have
to effectively execute the following:
- Establish that another party was liable for the accident;
- Provide evidence of your injury and any damages incurred; and
- Submit the claim before the legal deadline.
Who is Liable for a Slip & Fall Accident?
In slip and fall cases, the liable party is often the property owner and/or manager, as they have a legal obligation to keep their property safe for all lawful guests. Therefore, you cannot file a slip and fall claim for being injured on your own property unless a landlord or some other party was responsible for the hazardous condition that led to the accident.
Claims are commonly filed against property owners over slip and fall accidents that occurred in/at the following places:
- Restaurants
- Retail stores
- Workplaces
- Grocery stores
- Staircases and walkways
- Apartment buildings
- Student dormitories
- Parking lots and garages
- Hotels, motels, inns, and resorts
To prove liability, often you will have to show that the property owner is guilty of one or more of the following actions or inactions:
- Failed to remedy the hazard that caused the accident;
- Failed to warn you of the hazard to prevent an accident; and/or
- Failed to know of the hazard when they reasonably should have known.
Types of Slip & Fall Injuries
Common types of slip and fall injuries include:
- Abrasions
- Lacerations
- Sprains and strains
- Neck and back injuries
- Internal organ damage
- Spine injuries
- Broken bones
- Soft tissue injuries
- Hip fractures
- Shoulder injuries
- Severe brain injuries
Please note: The amount of compensation to which you are entitled will be directly related to your injury, as you can only recover monies for damages that you have incurred. Often, slip and fall claimants are entitled to compensation for medical expenses, lost earnings, disability, pain and suffering, and loss of quality of life, among others.
Unfortunately, some slip and fall accidents result in wrongful death. The bereaved dependents of the deceased may file a claim to recover compensation for the estate or for their own losses.
How Long Do You Have to File a Slip & Fall Claim?
The Missouri statute of limitations, or legal deadline, for filing a slip and fall injury claim is five years from the date of the accident. Any claim filed after this time will be dismissed if the defendant brings it to the court’s attention.
Do not wait to get started on your claim; waiting to consult a slip and fall attorney only delays justice and reduces your chances of recovering compensation. You do not want to wait until the last minute only to find out that much of the evidence has been lost or that witnesses are no longer available to testify.
Why Work With DiPasquale Moore?
DiPasquale Moore is nationally acclaimed for its work in holding negligent parties accountable. We have recovered millions of dollars for our hundreds of clients in Columbia and throughout the state. Our firm has been met with much success because we truly care about the client at the center of each claim. We understand that a legal claim may be your best and only chance to obtain the compensation you need to afford medical treatment and settle debts related to your injury. If you have been harmed by another, trust us to fight tirelessly for your rights.
We have been able to help hundreds of victims suffering from the negligence of someone else. If you believe that you are eligible to file a personal injury claim because of your slip and fall accident, it is time to take action.
Call (573) 444-8888 or contact us online today for a free consultation.
