When a person suffers an injury because of a fall caused by a dangerous property condition, they should strongly consider speaking with an experienced Houston slip and fall lawyer at once. These cases are not always easy to win; many defendants in these cases will argue that a victim’s injuries were entirely the result of his or her own negligence. That said, property owners in Texas have a duty to make sure that their premises are free from any hazards for their guests, or to at least inform them of any possible hazards. If a property owner failed to do so and you were injured as a result, you should contact The Gonzalez Law Group today. We are here to help.
Houston Slip and Fall Lawyer | Here to Fight for Your Right to Compensation
If you sustained severe injuries or your loved one was killed in a slip and fall accident in Southeast Texas, it will be in your best interest to avoid speaking to any insurance company until you have legal representation. The Gonzalez Law Group represents clients in communities in the greater Harris County area including Pearland, Baytown, Seabrook, La Porte, Pasadena, Galena Park, Friendswood, and many others.
Our Houston personal injury attorneys can fight to hold negligent parties accountable and make sure you receive all of the compensation you are entitled to. You can have our lawyers review your case and help you understand all of your legal options as soon as you call (832) 530-4070 to receive a free initial consultation.
Types of Slip and Fall Accidents
When people think of slip and fall cases, they usually think of slipping on a wet floor in a supermarket. Property owners owe certain duties to guests and a slip and fall case will usually turn on whether a property owner was negligent in regards to their duties to their guests. Employees working at a business and all customers who patronize the business are considered invitees.
To prevail in a slip and fall case, invitees are required to prove that defendants had actual or constructive knowledge of a condition on their premises that posed unreasonable risks of harm, the defendants failed to exercise reasonable care by failing to warn of the condition and failing to correct the condition, and the defendant’s failure was the proximate cause of the invitee’s injury.
So for instance, if someone slips and falls on some spilled water at a supermarket, that person would need to show that the property owner knew or should have known from a reasonable inspection that the spilled water existed and posed a danger and that the property owner did not adequately address the issue causing the injury.
Slip and fall accidents are not limited to just wet floors. In addition to failure to clean up a spill, slip and fall accidents can also stem from such hazards as:
- Snow, ice, other weather conditions
- Uneven walking surfaces
- Faulty stairways
- Defective handrails
- Poor lighting
- Holes or floor openings
- Potholes
- Loose carpeting or floorboards
- Trash on the floor or cluttered walkways
What to do After a Slip and Fall Accident
It is important for any person injured in a slip and fall accident to take certain steps in order to protect their personal injury claim. During the immediate aftermath, the one thing that cannot be stressed enough is that a person should avoid making any recorded statement to an insurance company.
Insurers will often have representatives who seem very friendly and genuinely concerned about a victim’s well-being propose possible settlements, but these amounts are usually much less than what victims are entitled to. Furthermore, even casual conversations with these agents are loaded with questions intended to get victims to make statements that ultimately damage their cases.
When you or a loved one has been hurt in a slip and fall accident, here are the basic steps you should take:
- Seek Medical Attention — Even if you do not think that you were hurt, you should still have a medical professional complete an evaluation. Not only do some serious injuries involve delayed symptoms, but insurance companies also use any delays in treatment to argue that a victim’s injuries are not as severe as he or she claims.
- File a Report — When a slip and fall accident occurs in a retail establishment or apartment complex, the victim will want to make sure a report is filed with the manager on duty or landlord. Ask for a copy of this report.
- Take Pictures — Victims should try to take as many photographs as possible of the accident scene. When a person is unable to do this because of the need for medical attention, the victim should have a friend or family member take pictures for him or her. Photographs should be taken from multiple angles and distances.
- Get Witness Contact Information — If anybody saw your accident, be sure to get their names, phone numbers, or email addresses. Make sure you have some way to contact these people in the event that you or your lawyer need their testimony.
- Call a Houston Premises Liability Lawyer — An experienced Houston slip and fall lawyer can handle all phone calls you receive from insurance companies. The attorney can negotiate with the insurer for a fair and full settlement. If the insurance company is unwilling to provide adequate compensation, your lawyer can file a lawsuit.
Contact Us Today!
Did you suffer serious injuries or was your loved one killed in a slip and fall accident in Harris County? You will want to make sure that you quickly contact The Gonzalez Law Group. Our Houston personal injury lawyers help individuals throughout Harris County, Friendswood, Pearland, Seabrook, League City, Deer Park, Pasadena, La Porte, Galena Park, Baytown and many others. You can have our attorneys provide an honest and thorough evaluation of your case when you call (832) 530-4070 or contact us online to set up a free initial consultation.