If you are injured because you slipped or fell due to another person’s negligence, contact a local Fort Worth slip and fall lawyer from The Texas Law Dog as soon as possible. By bringing a leading Fort Worth personal injury lawyer into your case early, you can give yourself the best chance of a successful outcome.
We have successfully recovered millions of dollars in settlement awards and trial verdicts, prioritize our clients’ needs to fight for their rights, and help them find justice.
How Slip and Fall Accidents Happen in Fort Worth
Slip and fall accidents are among the most common personal injury claims in Fort Worth and often lead to severe injuries that can disrupt your life. These accidents can happen anywhere, from grocery stores to parking lots, and frequently stem from hazardous conditions that property owners fail to address.
Some of the most common ways in which slip and fall accidents occur include the following:
Wet and Slippery Floors
Wet floors caused by spills, leaks, or recently mopped surfaces are a leading cause of slip and fall accidents. Inadequate warning signs or poorly maintained walkways can also cause footing loss, which can lead to injuries such as fractures or concussions. Property owners have a duty to promptly clean up hazards or clearly warn visitors to prevent accidents.
In some cases, the lack of adequate signage or failure to address a spill in a timely manner constitutes negligence. Fortunately, our team knows what it takes to win. Your Fort Worth premises liability lawyer will be prepared to gather evidence, such as surveillance footage or maintenance records, to establish the property owner’s liability.
Poor Lighting
Dim or broken lighting in stairwells, hallways, and parking lots can make it difficult to see potential hazards. Reduced visibility increases the likelihood of tripping over obstacles or slipping on uneven surfaces. It is not uncommon for slip and fall accident victims to suffer sprains, fractures, or head injuries that require extensive medical treatment.
Uneven or Damaged Flooring
Uneven flooring, loose tiles, or torn carpeting create tripping hazards that can lead to serious injuries. It is not unusual for victims to fall forward or backward, causing damage to their wrists, hips, or spinal cord, which is particularly dangerous for elderly individuals or those with mobility challenges. Some of the top causes of damaged flooring include the following:
- Cracked tiles – Pose a risk for sharp edges or uneven footing.
- Loose carpeting – Increase the likelihood of trips and falls.
- Warped floorboards – Cause uneven surfaces and instability.
- Potholes in parking lots – Present hidden dangers for pedestrians.
Property owners are required to inspect and repair flooring regularly to avoid accidents. Failure to do so could leave the property owner at risk for liability in the event of an accident. Your Fort Worth catastrophic injury lawyer will carefully investigate to determine whether the owner neglected their duty to maintain safe conditions.
Cluttered Walkways
Cluttered walkways filled with debris, misplaced items, or obstacles are another frequent cause of slips and falls. These hazards force visitors to maneuver around objects, increasing the risk of losing balance. Victims may experience severe injuries, such as broken bones or muscle tears, that require prolonged recovery.
Weather-Related Hazards
Unmaintained outdoor areas, such as icy sidewalks or wet entryways caused by rain, are common culprits in weather-related slip and fall accidents. Property owners must take reasonable precautions, such as salting icy surfaces or using mats to absorb water to prevent accidents. Failure to address these conditions could mean they are found liable for your resulting injuries.
Your slip and fall law firm will need to prove property owner negligence or third-party liability to successfully recover compensation for your damages. To do this, we will need compelling evidence. Examples of such evidence could include maintenance logs or witness testimony.
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Exploring Liability for Slip and Fall Accidents in Fort Worth
Determining liability is a crucial step in recovering compensation after a slip and fall accident. Several parties may share responsibility, depending on where and how the incident occurred. Some of the parties who may be found liable for your damages include:
- Property Owners – Responsible for maintaining safe conditions on private, public, or commercial property.
- Tenants or Occupants – Liable for hazards within their leased or occupied areas, especially in multi-use properties.
- Maintenance Companies – Accountable for failing to address hazards like wet floors or broken fixtures during contracted work.
- Government Entities – May bear responsibility for unsafe public spaces, such as parks, sidewalks, or government buildings.
- Business Owners – Obligated to ensure their premises are safe for employees, customers, and visitors.
Of course, these are just a few of the parties who could be found at fault for your damages. Only a detailed investigation will uncover the truth. Our team will work on your case as soon as you contact us for a free consultation today.
Fort Worth Slip and Fall Accident Lawyer Near Me (817) 775-5364
Classification of Visitors in Fort Worth Slip and Fall Accidents
Determining liability could be tricky in slip and fall cases, as premises owners owe a different level of care to various individuals who enter their property. The highest level of care is owed to invitees, which are individuals who have been invited onto the property, like customers in a store. The next level of care is owed to licensees or social guests, such as friends and family, who are invited onto a person’s property for private gatherings.
However, according to Texas Civil Practice and Remedies Code § 75.002, a landowner does not owe any care to trespassers who come onto the property without permission. With that being said, a landowner may be held liable under these circumstances if they act intentionally, maliciously, or with gross negligence. It is best for injured individuals to consult a dedicated legal advocate to determine whether their premises liability case has merit and how to hold the responsible party liable in court.
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Losses and Compensation in Trip and Fall Cases
Whether they involve tripping over cracked concrete or slipping on unsalted ice or snow that was not shoveled, slip and fall accidents could lead to significant injuries. Injury victims may experience broken bones, head trauma, lacerations, spinal damage, paralysis, and more.
In the worst cases, injuries suffered after a slip and fall may even be fatal. Injury victims may seek compensation for various types of damages or harms that result from their accident, including the two main categories of compensatory damages: economic and non-economic harms.
Economic Damages
Economic damages are more objective and have a quantifiable monetary value. Examples could include medical bills, lost wages, future lost wages, and lost earning capacity. It can also include the cost of repairing or replacing damaged property.
Non-Economic Damages
Non-economic damages include harms that do not have a clear monetary value. These could include pain and suffering, mental anguish, loss of consortium with a spouse, loss of enjoyment of life, and other intangible harms. Depending on the circumstances, both these damage types may play a significant role in a civil injury case, but your experienced Fort Worth slip and fall attorney with The Texas Law Dog could provide further clarification about the type of damages an individual plaintiff may be eligible to recover.
Punitive Damages
In rare cases, slip and fall claims may qualify for punitive damages. Generally, this occurs when the property owner’s actions are particularly egregious. For example, deliberately ignoring a known hazard or intentionally creating unsafe conditions could justify punitive damages.
These awards aim to punish reckless behavior and deter similar actions in the future. According to Texas Civil Practice and Remedies Code § 41.003, punitive damages are awarded when clear and convincing evidence proves that the defendant acted with gross negligence or malice. Our team can help you determine whether your case meets these criteria.
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Speak With a Slip and Fall Attorney in Fort Worth Today
A trip and fall accident could cause various types of injuries for an individual. The financial strain an accident could have on that individual and their family could be tremendous. If you suffer damages from such an accident, let our team help you seek compensation.
If you are injured in a slip and fall caused by a hazard on someone else’s property, your best chance at recovery may be to have a knowledgeable slip and fall lawyer in Fort Worth from The Texas Law Dog work on your behalf. Speaking to a local premises liability attorney could help you better understand the value of your case and start working toward compensation for your injuries after a trip and fall accident. Call today to get started on your claim.
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