Slip and fall accidents can occur in a variety of settings and be detrimental. Whether you are at work, patronizing a business, or a pedestrian on the sidewalk, if you are injured, a slip and fall lawyer in Meridian can help you get the justice and the compensation that you deserve.
At Siegfried & Jensen, we have helped our clients recover over $1.2 billion in damages, and our experienced Meridian personal injury lawyer will utilize that same experience to get every penny you deserve for the suffering that you have endured. You do not have to fight this battle alone.
Common Causes of Slip and Fall Accidents in Meridian
In Meridian, we often have more extreme weather. This can increase the likelihood of a slip and fall accident. Regardless of the weather, it is a property owner’s responsibility to ensure that areas are safe. Other common causes of slip and fall accidents, both indoor and outdoor, may include:
- Icy sidewalks and parking lots
- Wet floors from spills or mopping
- Cracked pavement or uneven concrete
- Loose carpeting or flooring
- Poor lighting in stairwells or hallways
- Obstacles or cluttered walkways
- Defective handrails or broken stairs
If you have been injured in a slip and fall accident due to someone else’s negligence, you deserve justice along with compensation. A Meridian slip and fall lawyer will work with you to review your case and ensure you recoup the damages that you are entitled to. They will provide what you need to know about the basics of a slip and fall accident.
For a free legal consultation with a slip and fall accident lawyer serving Meridian, call (801) 266-0999
What You Do Next Matters
A slip and fall accident can be jarring, leaving you in shock and unsure of what to do. You must follow all of your attorney’s directions on what to do after a slip and fall to help maximize any payment you may be entitled to. Helpful steps to take may include:
- Seek immediate medical attention, even if injuries seem minor
- Document the scene with photographs and video, if possible
- Make written or verbal notes of anything you see or details that you think are pertinent
- Gather witness information
- File a report with the proper authorities
- Avoid making any formal statements without guidance from an attorney
- Call a slip and fall attorney in Meridian
These steps are crucial for building your personal injury case. Proper documentation, from medical records to photos of the accident scene, all provide a better picture of the pain your accident has caused and strengthen your case when negotiating a settlement.
Meridian Slip and Fall Accident Lawyer Near Me (801) 266-0999
When a Property Owner Is Responsible For a Slip and Fall
If you are a property owner, it is your duty to ensure your property is safe. When determining liability, a court may consider whether the owner should have reasonably known about a hazard and whether they were taking steps to correct it.
Failing to Inspect the Property
As a property owner, it is your duty to conduct regular inspections to ensure there are no obvious hazards and that the area is safe. This can be done by the owner themselves or by hiring a property manager or other professional to conduct the inspections. If they fail to do this, the owner may be liable for injuries that occur.
Ignoring Known Hazards
If a property owner is aware of a hazard but does not take steps to correct it, they may be held responsible if someone is injured. It is their responsibility to mitigate any risks in a reasonable timeframe.
Not Warning Others of Dangerous Areas
If there is a known hazard and the property owner is taking steps to mitigate it, it is still the property owner’s responsibility to warn others about the hazard in the meantime. This can be done via signage, verbal warnings, or blocking off the zone until it is fixed.
A property owner must take the proper precautions to ensure their space is safe. Whether that be hiring a management company, regularly bringing in professional inspectors, or checking out the property themselves if they are trained, an owner must ensure a safe environment for everyone.
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How Idaho Negligence Law May Affect Your Case
Idaho abides by a modified comparative negligence rule (Idaho Code §6-801). This means that as long as you are less than 50% at fault, you may be able to recoup damages, minus the percentage of your responsibility.
For example, if you are found to be 25% liable for your slip and fall accident, you may be able to recover 75% of what your case would otherwise award. Insurance companies often want to increase your level of responsibility, so they pay out less on your end. Your Meridian slip and fall attorney is here to ensure that doesn’t happen.
Common arguments made to place blame onto you may include disputes about footwear, distraction, claims that you “should have seen” the obstacle, or that the fall didn’t happen the way you claim it did. This is why it is crucial to have as much evidence as possible showing that you are not at fault.
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A Meridian Slip and Fall Accident Attorney Can Help Earn You More
There are many reasons why having a local attorney is beneficial. Our team at Siegfried & Jensen is familiar with Meridian and can use that knowledge to help strengthen your case. We also understand the local court system, allowing us to move cases through the legal process efficiently and often speeding them up.
Navigating the legal system can prove challenging, so it is pivotal to have an experienced attorney on your team. Incorrectly filing a document or missing a deadline, such as Idaho’s two-year statute of limitations (Idaho Code § 5-219(4)) to file a case, can mean you receive nothing for your injuries.
Your slip and fall injury attorney will handle the details, such as filing paperwork, negotiating with insurance adjusters, speaking with witnesses, and gathering evidence so that you can focus on recovering. If it becomes necessary, your slip and fall injury lawyer can also represent you in court, and your case is presented in front of a judge.
Our Slip and Fall Accident Lawyer is Here for You
After a slip and fall accident, your main priority should be recovering. At Siegfried & Jensen, we believe it is our duty to fight on your behalf so that you get the justice and the compensation that you deserve.
Call today to set up your free, no-obligation consultation to see what your case may be worth.
Call or text (801) 266-0999 or complete a Free Case Evaluation form