Jackson, MS Slip and Fall Lawyer

The Importance of a Jackson Slip and Fall Lawyer

A slip and fall attorney is important because slip and fall accidents are a leading cause of personal injury and can result in serious injuries that can significantly impact a person’s life. If you have been injured in a slip and fall accident on someone else’s property, consulting with a Jackson slip and fall attorney is essential to understand your legal rights and options.

A slip and fall attorney can help you determine whether you have a valid case. To have a slip and fall claim, you must be able to prove that the property owner was negligent in maintaining their property. This means that the property owner knew or should have known about the dangerous condition that caused your fall and failed to take reasonable steps to fix or warn you about it.

A slip and fall attorney can also help you gather evidence to support your claim. This evidence may include photographs of the accident scene, witness statements, and medical records documenting your injuries.

In addition, a slip and fall attorney can negotiate with the insurance company on your behalf. Insurance companies are often reluctant to pay out on slip and fall claims, and an experienced Jackson slip and fall accident attorney at Giddens Law Firm can help you get the compensation you deserve for your injuries.

What Are The Benefits of Hiring a Slip and Fall Attorney?

The benefits of hiring a slip and fall attorneys are:

• Investigate the Accident: A slip and fall attorney will investigate the accident to determine the cause of your fall and identify the liable party. This investigation may involve interviewing witnesses, reviewing security footage, and obtaining copies of maintenance records.
• Gather Evidence: An attorney will gather evidence to support your claim, such as medical records, photographs of the scene of the accident, and witness statements.
• Negotiate with the Insurance Company: Insurance companies often try to deny or reduce slip and fall claims. An attorney can negotiate with the insurance company on your behalf to get you the compensation you deserve.
• File a Lawsuit: If necessary, an attorney can file a lawsuit on your behalf to recover damages for your injuries.

What Are Common Hazards That Cause Slip, Trip, and Fall Accidents in Jackson, MS?

Slip, trip, and fall accidents are a surprisingly common occurrence, and often underestimated in their potential for serious injury. These incidents can happen anywhere, from our own homes to public sidewalks, and the culprit is frequently a dangerous or poorly maintained property condition. Understanding these potential hazards is crucial to preventing a painful and costly fall.

One of the leading causes of slips is the presence of liquids on the floor. Spills, leaks, or even tracked-in rain or snow can create a treacherous surface, especially on smooth tiles or polished concrete. Similarly, slippery surfaces like wet leaves on an outdoor walkway or a recently mopped floor without proper warning signs can catch an unsuspecting foot off guard.

Outdoors Slip and Fall Accidents

Uneven pavement presents a significant tripping hazard. Potholes, cracks in the asphalt, or uneven sidewalks can cause someone to lose their footing. Likewise, changes in elevation, such as curbs or steps, if not clearly marked or poorly maintained, can be a recipe for disaster. Uneven flooring inside buildings, caused by worn carpeting, loose floorboards, or thresholds with significant height differences, poses a similar risk.

Can a Property Owner Be Held Responsible for My Slip and Fall Accident?

Property owners can be held responsible for failure to maintain their property, causing the slip and fall accident to occur.

Poor lighting plays a major role in slip and fall accidents. Dimly lit hallways, stairwells, or parking lots make it difficult to see potential hazards on the ground. This is especially true for uneven flooring or obstacles that may blend into the shadows. Similarly, inadequate signage can fail to warn of potential dangers like slippery surfaces or wet floor cleaning in progress.

Beyond the physical condition of the property, clutter also presents a significant tripping hazard. Walkways or hallways obstructed by boxes, misplaced furniture, or even personal belongings left out of place can easily cause someone to stumble. Loose rugs or mats that bunch up or curl at the edges can also be a hidden danger. Torn carpeting with exposed edges or tripping hazards like electrical cords left snaking across the floor can all contribute to a fall.

Finally, missing handrails on stairs or steps is a particularly dangerous omission. Handrails provide essential support and balance when navigating elevation changes. Their absence can lead to falls, especially for those with mobility limitations or who may lose their balance unexpectedly.

Being aware of these everyday hazards and taking preventive measures can significantly reduce the risk of slip, trip, and fall accidents. Property owners are responsible for maintaining their premises in a safe condition, and reporting any dangerous conditions is crucial. For individuals, remaining vigilant, using caution in poorly lit areas, and wearing appropriate footwear can go a long way in preventing a fall and its potentially serious consequences. Recognizing these lurking dangers allows us to navigate our surroundings with greater confidence and safety.

Who Can Be Held Responsible for My Slip and Fall Accident in Jackson, MS?

Slip and fall accidents often happen because someone is careless. It means that a person or business didn’t take as much care as they should have, which hurt someone else. For a slip and fall case to go in the plaintiff’s favor, they must be able to show that the offender was careless. They can do this in the following ways:

• The plaintiff must show that the defendant owed the plaintiff a duty of care and that the defendant broke that duty by not acting with reasonable care.
• The suit then has to show that this breach caused them to be hurt or lose money.
• Depending on the situation, the court may also think about whether the defendant should have known about any risks or behaved differently based on what they knew at the time.

If all of these things can be shown, a judge may decide that negligence happened and give the right amount of damages.

How Long Do I Have to File a Slip and Fall Personal Injury Claim?

You have three years from the date of an event where you slipped and fell to file a personal injury claim for a slip and fall accident. If you don’t do this within the time limit, you might lose your right to go to court. It’s important to remember that this doesn’t mean that your case has to be over in three years; it just means that you have to file your claim within that time frame.

Even though slip and fall claims in Jackson, MS have a three-year deadline, there are times when this isn’t true. For example, the statute of limitations may be expanded by up to five years if you are filing on behalf of a minor child or an adult who is not able to do so on their own.

That’s why speaking with a slip and fall attorney is important as soon as the accident occurs.

Our Jackson, MS Slip and Fall Attorney is Here to Help

If you or someone you care about has been hurt in a slip and fall accident anywhere in Jackson, MS, you should speak to Giddens Law Firm, P.A. as soon as possible. Our experienced slip and fall lawyer can help you know your rights and build a good case.

Don’t wait—talk to a premises liability lawyer right away to find out how to file a claim in Jackson, MS. You can get the justice you deserve if you hire the right lawyer. Schedule a free consultation with Giddens Law Firm, P.A. today. You don’t pay a fee until we win your case.