Slip and Fall Accidents

If you or someone you know has been involved in a slip and fall accident in Connecticut, we can assist with your claim. Put our decades of legal experience to work for you. We will advance all fees and expenses for your case including hiring experts to strengthen your case. Once the case is concluded, we will be reimbursed for costs out of the recovery. If no recovery is reached, you do not owe anything for the costs and expenses, which will be absorbed by us. All cases are handled on a contingency fee basis, which means you do not pay us until we recover money for you.

1. What Are The Common Causes Of Slip and Fall Down Cases?

A slip and fall case can be simply defined as damages, resulting from the negligence of one person or when a person falls because of the fault or negligence of another. While the locations where slip and fall accidents can happen are diverse, there are generally five major reasons for their occurrence. These causes should be reviewed so that you are more aware of these problems so you can hopefully avoid becoming an injured victim resulting in a personal injury case from premises liability.

Lack of Slip Resistant Floors

Friction between walking surfaces and shoes is necessary to prevent slipping. Slip resistance refers to the likelihood of footwear slipping on walking surfaces, especially those that are wet or have a build up of wax, dirt, or other substance between the floor and shoe soles. Property owners have a legal responsibility to ensure walking surfaces are safe for pedestrians under conditions reasonably expected according to the walking surface's purpose and are not negligent in the care or maintenance of the surface. Installation of appropriate flooring materials may be the property owner's duty towards people using the premises depending upon the circumstances present.

Poor Walking Surfaces

Aside from lack of slip resistance, walking surfaces can be in poor condition due to other deficiencies. Mats present a trip hazard, especially those in a deteriorated condition with loose threads and curling corners, mats with edges greater than ½ inch or without a slip resistant liner between mat bottom and floor surface. Concrete surfaces which are buckled and cracked, have uneven joints, loose pieces and holes or missing or damaged manhole and services covers pose a potential slip and fall danger. Unmarked raised doorsills can cause trips. Spills that are not marked with signage or mopped up promptly and properly create a poor walking surface, even on floors that are structurally sound. Some or all of these conditions, depending on the circumstances, may give rise to a claim of negligence.

Poor Visibility

Proper lighting is an obligation of a property owner. All areas should be well lit, including inside the building, the outside perimeter, stairways and parking areas. Lighting should be adequate for all seasons of the year, weather conditions and times of the day people are reasonably expected to use the premises. A situation involving improper lighting may also give rise to a claim sounding in negligence.

Stairs

Building codes decree how stairs are to be built. The stairs must have a uniform rise (each stair is of the same height) to reduce trip hazard. The edge of the stair (known as the "nosing") should be highly visible. Slip resistance on outside stairs may be obligatory and stair treads or abrasive strips should be used on indoor stairs. If building code violations are established then a claim of negligence could be bolstered.

Handrails

Handrails must be within reach across the entirety of a stair (i.e. both sides and the middle) and optimally placed between 34 and 38 inches to reduce the possibility of a person falling over the handrail. The handrail should also be easily graspable by the average person. Handrails must be anchored in accordance with building regulations. The laws within each state set forth certain rules or principles that determine whether or not a property owner and/or tenant are liable for the injuries incurred. The status of the injured party might be important in determining liability. Was the injured party a business customer, a social guest, a letter carrier or a trespasser?

A general statement that may apply to most all fall down cases is that the owner or person charged with tending to the property must exhibit reasonable care in the maintenance of their property. As such they have a duty to warn visitors of any dangerous or defective conditions that are known or should be known by the visitor.

2. What Should I Do If I Am Involved In A Slip and Fall Accident?

It is extremely important that you contact us as soon as possible. It is critical not to do anything that might have a negative affect upon your case. We might advise you not to give any statements or sign any authorizations, so it is important to speak with us before you do something that could have a negative impact on your case. There are also potential notice requirements that, if missed, could result in the dismissal of your case.

3. How is Liability Determined?

The critical issue in many personal injury cases is just how a "reasonable person" would be expected to act in the situation that caused the injury. A person is negligent when he or she fails to act like a "reasonable person" standard is often a matter that is decided by a jury after the presentation of evidence and argument trial. This is one of the many reasons why you should contact us as soon as possible so we can start to investigate and develop your case.

4. What Compensation Might I Receive If My Case is Successful?

Usually, a person who is liable for an injury--which generally means his or her liability insurance company--must pay an injured person for:

You will be awarded "damages," or compensation, which is money intended to restore you to the position you were in before your injury. This money is not considered income (excluding monies paid for loss of income) and is not taxable as income by the federal or state government.

5. How Do I Get About Getting Experts To Help Me With My Slip and Fall Case?

We will be able to hire a team of experts that can assist in the development of your case, which, depending on your case can range from a private investigator, to doctors, to economists.

6. Who Will Pay The Expenses of Hiring All Of These Experts?

Our firm will advance all costs and expenses of your case as they are incurred. Once the case is concluded, we would be reimbursed for our costs out of the recovery. If there is no recovery, you will owe nothing for the costs and expenses, which will be absorbed by us. Additionally, you only pay us once you receive a settlement or award.

7. Do Any of Your Attorneys Have Any Specialized Training or Awards?

One of our attorneys has received Advanced Negotiation Training at the Harvard Law School and is a member of the Million Dollar Advocates Forum which is one of the most prestigious groups of trial lawyers in the U.S. For additional information please see our attorney biographies.

8. Why Should I Hire Hastings, Cohan and Walsh, LLP to Represent Me?

Because we are passionate about what we do and have decades of experience in representing Connecticut accident victims. Before you hire a lawyer, speak to an insurance adjuster, or sign any paperwork, order a copy of our free book "The Crash Course on Personal Injury Claims in Connecticut."

If you or someone you know has been injured due to a slip and fall accident, you should contact us as soon as possible. Don't delay in consulting us so we can get to work for you right away.

Please call us at 1-888-842-8466 or complete our online form on the right hand side of this web page and tell us about your case.