Houston Slip and Fall Lawyer

Houston Slip and Fall injury Attorney

If you experience an injury due to another’s negligence, you need the help of an experienced Houston slip and fall lawyer. When you visit another person’s home or a private business, the property owner must ensure you do not face any foreseeable safety risks while on their property. The premises liability laws of Texas are clear in the expectations for all property owners in the state.

When a property owner notices any potential safety concern on their property, they must address it immediately. This may include fixing the problem, posting a visible sign or notice warning visitors of the hazard, or providing visitors with clear verbal warnings as they enter the property.

Legal Representation for Houston, TX, Slip and Fall Injury Claims

When property owners fail in these responsibilities and lawful guests, visitors, businesspeople, or customers sustain injuries, property owners are liable for the resulting damages. “Slip and fall” injuries may sound minor, but the reality is that these incidents are responsible for a tremendous number of personal injury claims, workers’ compensation claims, and economic damages throughout the Houston, TX, area each year.

If you or a loved one recently suffered a fall on someone else’s property, you likely have grounds for a personal injury claim under Texas’ premises liability laws. A premises liability claim against the property owner could help you recover compensation for medical expenses, lost income, and other damages. A Houston fall injury attorney will be an essential asset as you work toward your recovery.

Why Do I Need a Houston Slip and Fall Injury Lawyer?

The average person with no formal legal training would likely struggle to succeed with any type of personal injury claim on their own. The civil court imposes many strict procedural requirements that most people would not be able to meet unassisted.

It’s also possible for the claimant to succeed but unintentionally settle for less compensation than they legally deserve. Working with an experienced Houston fall injury attorney not only increases your overall chance of success with your claim, but your attorney is likely to reveal channels of compensation you would have overlooked on your own.

The right attorney can potentially mean the difference between securing a favorable recovery and failing to obtain any compensation. Stevenson & Murray has years of experience representing Houston area clients in a wide range of personal injury claims. We know the stress and uncertainty that often follow all types of personal injuries, and our goal is to help you approach your legal proceedings with peace of mind and confidence.

Instead of trying to manage all of your case proceedings unassisted while recovering from a painful fall injury, we can handle your legal affairs while you focus on recovery. Our firm has a strong record of successful cases, and we have earned a solid reputation as a leading choice for personal injury counsel in the Houston area. We believe in client-focused legal counsel, taking time to get to know each client’s unique needs and concerns as we begin handling their case.

Determining Fault for a Slip and Fall in Texas

Texas law maintains that property owners have a legal duty of care to prevent foreseeable harm to lawful visitors of their properties. The distinction between a “lawful” visitor and an unlawful one is essential; property owners have no duty of care to prevent injuries to trespassers. If an intruder or trespasser sustains an injury on property they did not have permission to enter, they have no grounds for civil action against the property owner.

Property owners must address foreseeable safety issues that pose threats to lawful guests invited to the property for personal reasons and invitees who have implied permission to enter the property, such as mail carriers and utility workers. Falls can happen in many ways, from damaged staircases and loose floorboards to unmarked wet floors and damaged lighting.

It is also possible for fall injuries to occur in the workplace. If you or a loved one suffered a slip and fall at work, you might have grounds to file a workers’ compensation claim if your employer has workers’ compensation insurance. However, if your employer does not have this coverage or your fall injury resulted from a third party’s misconduct, you will need to file a personal injury claim against the party responsible for your fall injury at work.

Common Causes of Slip and Fall Accidents

It is possible for a slip and fall accident to happen for various reasons, and proving the exact cause of your recent accident will be a crucial first step in your recovery efforts. You must first prove that you were legally present on the property. This means you had the property owner’s express or implied permission to enter the property; otherwise, the premises liability rule would not apply, and you would be personally responsible for your damages.

A few of the most commonly cited causes of slip and fall accidents in the Houston area include:

• Unmarked wet floors. Commercial property owners must ensure that any freshly cleaned wet floors are appropriately marked, and they must do the same for spills and leaks that create slipping hazards.
• Uneven or damaged flooring. Property owners are required to fix structural damage as soon as possible if it is likely to cause injury to a lawful visitor. Broken floorboards or floor tiles can create slip and fall hazards that are sometimes easily overlooked.
• Dangerous staircases. It’s possible for broken stairs or a faulty handrail to cause a serious slip and fall accident. Poor visibility from damaged light fixtures can also cause these accidents.
• Cluttered walking paths. Property owners are required to ensure their walking paths are free from clutter and debris that can cause tripping hazards.
• Divots and holes in the ground outside. These hazards may become overgrown and can easily result in broken or sprained ankles if a visitor steps into one unexpectedly.

These are only a few possible examples of slip and fall hazards that might lead to personal injury claims. Whenever a property owner notices any such hazard on their property, they are required to fix the problem immediately, post a clearly visible warning sign, or provide lawful visitors with clear verbal warnings if they are likely to encounter the hazard while on the property.

Compensation for Fall Injury Claims in Houston, TX

A Houston fall injury attorney can help you determine liability for your recent accident. Once you identify the party responsible for your fall, you can hold them accountable for your damages. The personal injury laws of Texas allow a plaintiff to seek compensation for all damages caused by a defendant’s actions. You could potentially recover:

• Compensation for medical bills. Falls can result in broken bones, traumatic brain injuries, spinal injuries, etc. Some fall injuries will require long-term medical treatment, and some may result in permanent disabilities. The defendant is responsible for any medical costs you incur to reach maximum medical improvement from your injury.
• Repayment of lost income. Your fall injury could force you to miss work for an extended period, and the defendant would be liable for your lost income during this time. If you suffer an acute injury that causes a permanent disability, you can hold the defendant accountable for your lost earning potential.
• Pain and suffering compensation. Your Houston fall injury attorney can help you calculate a reasonable amount of pain and suffering to include in your claim based on the severity of your injuries and whether you are likely to experience long-term or permanent complications because of them.

Many fall injury victims initially undervalue their claims, not realizing the full scope of their claimable damages until they have reliable legal counsel advising them. The first step in securing the compensation you need for a fall injury is determining who is responsible for causing the injury. If you believe you have grounds for a fall injury claim in Houston, TX, it’s vital to secure legal representation you can trust as soon as possible for the most optimal chance of maximizing your recovery.

Settlement Versus Litigation

When you have gathered the evidence needed to prove fault for your slip and fall accident and are ready to file your case, it is possible for the case to unfold in two possible ways. The first option is a settlement. When the defendant accepts liability, they are likely to seek a swift settlement to minimize legal expenses. During settlement negotiations, the parties involved in the case meet privately with their respective attorneys to negotiate terms for resolving the case.

Alternatively, if the defendant does not accept liability, then the case will need to go to litigation. During litigation, each party presents its evidence to the court, and a judge will make the final determination regarding fault for the accident and the extent of compensation the plaintiff will receive from the defendant.

The majority of civil claims for damages end in settlement. This process allows both the plaintiff and defendant to resolve the case more quickly and to have more control over the final outcome. When a case goes to trial, the judge overseeing the case has the final say on fault and the extent of compensation owed to the plaintiff.

When you choose Stevenson & Murray to represent your slip and fall injury claim in Houston, we will seek to settle the claim as quickly as possible if we can, but our team is fully prepared to represent you in court if necessary. Our goal is maximum client recovery in every case we accept, and the sooner you contact our firm, the sooner we can begin building your slip and fall injury case.

FAQs for Slip & Fall Injury Lawyers

Q: How Much Is a Slip and Fall Claim Worth?

A: The total potential value of any personal injury suit largely depends on the extent and severity of the victim’s damages. State law gives the plaintiff the ability to seek full repayment of all financial losses they suffered because of the defendant’s actions. This includes future losses such as lost earning potential when you have been permanently disabled. Additionally, you can claim as much pain and suffering compensation as you believe reflects the severity of your condition.

Q: How Do You Prove Liability for a Slip and Fall Injury?

A: Success with a personal injury claim filed under Texas’ premises liability laws requires proof that the property owner knew or reasonably should have known about the hazard that caused the injury but failed to properly address the issue. Your attorney may seek various forms of evidence, such as camera recordings, witness statements, maintenance records, and physical evidence, to assist you in proving liability for your slip and fall.

Q: Can I Still Claim Compensation if I Was Partially at Fault?

A: Technically, yes, it is possible to bear partial liability for your damages in a slip and fall accident claim and still recover compensation from the defendant. However, you must prove that you are less than 50% at fault; otherwise, you cannot seek compensation from the defendant. If you are less than 50% at fault, your fault percentage is taken from the final case award as a penalty, and you will keep the rest.

Q: How Long After a Slip and Fall Can You Sue?

A: If you intend to file any type of personal injury claim, you must do so within the statute of limitations or time limit for filing your case. The statute of limitations is two years starting on the date the accident occurred. Failure to file your claim within this time limit could mean losing your right to recover compensation from the defendant.

Q: What Will It Cost to Hire a Houston Slip and Fall Injury Attorney?

A: Stevenson & Murray takes personal injury cases on a contingency fee basis, meaning our client does not pay any upfront or ongoing legal fees for representation. Instead, we take a percentage of our client’s case award as our fee, but only if and when we win the case. If our team is unable to secure compensation for you, there is no fee at all. This eliminates any risk of paying more for legal counsel than you win in compensation for your damages.

Find Skilled Houston Slip and Fall Lawyers at Stevenson & Murray

Stevenson & Murray has extensive experience handling a wide range of personal injury claims on behalf of clients in Houston, TX. You probably have lots of questions about your case and what to expect as it unfolds, and we can provide the guidance and reassurance you need in this demanding situation. If you are ready to explore your options for legal recourse for a fall injury, contact Stevenson & Murray today to schedule your consultation with a Houston fall injury attorney.