Slip and Fall Attorneys in Toledo, OH

Slip and Fall Attorneys in Toledo, OH

Slip and Fall Attorneys in Toledo, OH

Whether it’s your weekly run to the grocery store, a trip to the bank, stopping at a convenience store or gas station, or dinner at a friend’s house, the owner of every establishment you go to owes you a duty of care. This means they are responsible for keeping their premises reasonably safe and free from hazards that could cause harm to visitors. If you’ve suffered a slip and fall injury, you should contact Slip and Fall Attorneys in Toledo, OH to understand your rights and options.

One common cause of injuries on someone else’s property are slipping and tripping hazards that lead to serious falls. These accidents often occur due to slippery floors, uneven surfaces, poorly maintained walkways, or inadequate lighting. If you’ve suffered a slip and fall injury due to these hazardous conditions, you may have grounds to seek compensation for your injuries and damages with the help of Slip and Fall Attorneys in Toledo, OH.

Navigating a slip and fall injury claim can be complex, as property owners and insurance companies may try to deny or minimize their liability. That’s where experienced Slip and Fall Attorneys in Toledo, OH can make a difference. A skilled attorney can assess your case and help you negotiate fair compensation for your damages.

Injuries from Slip and Fall Accidents

Many slip and fall accidents are fairly inconsequential, meaning other than a bruised ego the person who fell is uninjured or hasn’t suffered any injuries that resulted in damages. In other instances, slipping and falling can lead to a wide range of serious and costly injuries, some of which can be severe and sometimes even life-altering.

The injuries resulting from slip, trip and fall accidents can vary depending on the circumstances of the fall, the age and health of the victim and the surface on which the fall occurred. Some examples of injuries commonly associated with slip and fall accidents are:

Fractures: Fractures are one of the most common injuries in slip and fall accidents. Victims may suffer fractures in the arms, wrists, hips, legs, ankles or spine. Older adults are particularly at risk for hip fractures, which can be especially serious and may require surgery and prolonged rehabilitation.

Head injuries: Slip and fall accidents can cause traumatic brain injuries (TBIs) when the head hits the ground or another object during the fall. TBIs can range from mild concussions to more severe injuries, leading to cognitive impairments, memory problems and long-term disabilities.

Back and spinal cord injuries: Falls can result in back injuries, such as herniated discs or spinal cord injuries. Severe spinal cord injuries can cause paralysis, impacting a person’s mobility and independence.

Soft tissue injuries: Soft tissue injuries, such as contusions and bruises, are also common in slip and fall accidents. While not as severe as some other injuries, they can still cause pain and discomfort.

It’s essential to seek immediate medical attention after a slip and fall accident, even if injuries appear minor. Some injuries, like internal injuries or concussions, may not be immediately apparent, and prompt medical evaluation can help identify and treat them before they worsen.

Are Property Owners Always Liable in a Slip and Fall Case?

Property owners are not always automatically liable in a slip and fall case. Liability in a slip and fall case depends on various factors, and it’s not always straightforward. To establish liability, the injured party (plaintiff) must demonstrate the property owner (defendant) was negligent in maintaining their premises, and that negligence directly caused the slip and fall accident and resulting injuries.

Some key considerations that determine liability in a slip and fall case include:

Duty of care: Property owners have a legal duty of care to keep their premises reasonably safe for visitors. However, the level of duty owed to a visitor depends on their status:

• Invitees: People who are invited onto the property for business purposes, such as customers, are owed the highest duty of care. Property owners must maintain a safe environment and address known hazards.

• Licensees: Social guests, family members or others who have permission to enter the property fall under this category. Property owners must warn them of any known hazards that are not obvious.

• Trespassers: Trespassers, who enter the property without permission are generally owed a lower duty of care. Property owners must not intentionally harm trespassers, but their duty to ensure safety is limited.

Notice of hazards: To be held liable, the property owner must have had actual or constructive notice of the hazardous condition that caused the slip and fall. Actual notice means they were aware of the hazard, while constructive notice means they should have known about it through reasonable inspections.

Reasonableness: Ohio courts consider whether the property owner acted reasonably in maintaining the premises. If a dangerous condition existed for an extended period, and the property owner failed to address it, they may be deemed negligent. Slip and Fall Attorneys in Toledo, OH are experienced in assessing the reasonableness of property owner actions.

Assumption of risk: In certain cases, the injured party may have knowingly encountered a dangerous situation and accepted the risk. This could limit the property owner’s liability. For example, if the plaintiff decided to show off by doing cartwheels on an icy surface and suffered fractures when they fell, they will likely not be able to hold the property owner fully liable for their injuries. Slip and Fall Attorneys in Toledo, OH can help navigate cases involving assumption of risk.