Birmingham Slip and Fall Lawyer

Slip and Fall Lawyer | Prepared to File Your Premises Liability Claim

The phrase “premises liability” simply means that someone is liable, or responsible, for the injuries you sustained on their premises, or property. Though suing someone for failing to ensure their property is safe may sound straightforward, the truth is, it seldom is. That is why those seeking to hold careless individuals accountable for their actions hire personal injury attorneys to fight on their behalf. If you are among the unfortunate wrongly injured, this guide is for you. Please continue reading and do not hesitate to speak with our experienced Jefferson County personal injury lawyers to learn more about premises liability lawsuits and how we can help you recover the compensation you need to get back on your feet again.

Premises Liability Cases We Handle

Here at our firm, we handle the gamut of premises liability cases involving injuries stemming from a wide range of scenarios and places, including the following:

• Sidewalks: Sidewalks frequently pose hazards to those who use them. If you’ve been injured in a trip or slip and fall accident as a result of potholes, a mis-leveled sidewalk, or otherwise, our firm is here to help.
• Supermarkets: Were you injured in a grocery store? If so, you may qualify for compensation. Speak with a skilled slip and fall lawyer from our firm so we can assess the circumstances of your injury and, from there, determine the best path forward.
• Apartments: Apartment accidents are, unfortunately, far from rare. If you believe your landlord is responsible for the injuries you’ve sustained in your apartment, our firm is here to fight for the compensation you deserve and need to heal.
• Parking Lots: We don’t tend to think of parking lots as particularly dangerous places, but unfortunately, safety hazards frequently arise, and if they aren’t remedied timely, an injured person may qualify for compensation.
• Negligent Security: It’s important for establishments to install and use security when necessary. This security can come in the form of physical security guards, such as at concerts, or digital security, such as surveillance cameras. An absence of security can lead to devastating injuries and accidents, and our firm is here to help those who’ve been injured because of it.
• Restaurants: Yet another place where an accident is far from expected. However, it happens. Some examples of restaurant negligence can include cooks or employees disregarding food allergies after being informed of them, burning customers with hot plates, or, in some cases, even giving customers food poisoning.
• Bus & Train Stations: Many of us wait for the bus or train every single day. However, these areas can become extremely dangerous when municipalities do not ensure adequate security is installed to catch/prevent crimes from occurring when they do not ensure all hazardous debris and weather-related debris is removed, and when the area is insufficiently lighted.
• Elevators & Escalators: Most of us use elevators and escalators our entire lives without ever experiencing a problem. However, if a property owner knew, or should have reasonably known, that there was a problem with the elevator/escalator and failed to have it fixed and regularly maintained, an accident happened, and you were injured, you will most likely have a valid premises liability lawsuit.
• Daycares: Though the thought of your child being harmed or injured at daycare is repulsive, the unfortunate reality is that many daycares simply fail to live up to the standard to which we hold them. Daycare employees must ensure no small objects (choking hazards) are left unattended, that children do not have access to cleaning products that they may accidentally drink, that all playground equipment is in good shape and not rusted, and that all children are adequately fed and nourished every single day. Unfortunately, daycare malpractice or abuse is far more prominent than you may think, so if you suspect something, say something. This also applies to nursing home negligence.
• Construction Sites: Construction sites, though generally regulated by OSHA guidelines, as well as responsible supervisors, often spawn serious injuries–usually the result of negligence. However, if you have been wrongly injured in a construction site accident, you should understand that generally, our firm will not sue your employer directly (this is to protect your job). Instead, we will file what is known as a third-party lawsuit, wherein we will look for all other potentially responsible parties, such as defective equipment manufacturers, property owners (via premises liability lawsuits), subcontractors, and more.

Common Injuries in Slip and Fall Accidents

From wet floors to poor lighting, numerous dangerous conditions can lead to serious injuries from slip and fall accidents. The costs of these injuries can add up quickly, and this makes it important to have an experienced slip and fall attorney on your side. Our attorneys help accident victims seek just compensation for all types of injuries caused by dangerous property conditions, including:

Back Injuries

Common back injuries from slip and fall accidents range from sprains and strains that cause lower back pain to herniated discs that require extensive treatment and a prolonged recovery. Sadly, paralysis and other permanent effects are also a concern, and some accident victims are never able to fully recover.

Broken and Dislocated Bones

Broken and dislocated bones are extremely common injuries in slip and fall accidents. While injuries to the ankles, hips and wrists are particularly common, slip and fall accident victims can suffer fractures and dislocations throughout the body.

Concussions and Other TBI

Concussions and other traumatic brain injuries (TBI) are a very real concern. If you hit your head and are experiencing any symptoms of a concussion, you should see a doctor promptly if you have not done so already. If you receive a concussion diagnosis—or if you are diagnosed with any other form of TBI—you should also talk to a Birmingham slip and fall attorney about your legal rights.

Cuts and Bruises

While not necessarily as serious as back injuries, brain injuries and broken bones, cuts and bruises can still lead to medical bills and other medical expenses, lost wages, pain and suffering, and permanent scarring and disfigurement. If you have a claim for your slip and fall accident in Alabama, these are all losses your attorney can help you seek to recover.

Internal Injuries

Internal injuries from slip and fall accidents can include organ damage, internal bleeding, nerve damage, soft tissue injuries, and back and spinal cord injuries, among others. All of these types of injuries can require a prompt diagnosis and effective treatment to prevent unnecessary long-term consequences.

Neck Injuries

The human neck is full of muscles, soft tissue, nerves, and vertebrae. All of these can be damaged in a slip and fall accident. While some neck injuries will heal with rest, others will require expensive treatment (which may include surgery) and a long-term commitment to rehabilitation and recovery. If you are experiencing neck pain after an accident, you should not ignore it. Instead, you should prioritize your physical and financial recovery.

Nerve Damage

From pinched nerves to severed nerves caused by severe lacerations, slip and fall accidents can cause various types of nerve damage as well. Here too, treatment needs can vary widely, and permanent effects are a very real possibility. As a result, if you have suffered nerve damage in a slip and fall accident, it will be critical to work closely with an experienced attorney to ensure that you are seeking the full compensation you deserve.

Soft Tissue Injuries

Soft tissue injuries include damage to muscles, ligaments and tendons throughout the body. These injuries can range from sprains and strains (which can often heal with rest and rehabilitation) to tears (which often require surgery). In all cases, quality medical care and effective legal representation are essential, as you need to make sure you get the treatment you need and have the financial resources you need for the future.

Common Locations of Slip and Fall Accidents

Slip and fall accidents can happen anywhere—and, no matter where you slipped and fell, you should speak with a Birmingham slip and fall attorney about your legal rights. But, these accidents are more common in certain locations than others. For example, we frequently speak with people who have questions about their legal rights after being injured at locations such as:

• Big Box Stores – Big box stores like Walmart, Target, Home Depot, Lowe’s and Cosco are common locations of slip and fall accidents. While these businesses have a legal duty to monitor for slip and fall hazards and remedy them when necessary, they frequently fail to do what is required.
• Other Retailers – Along with big box stores, other retailers like Dollar General and Dollar Tree often fail to adequately protect their customers’ safety as well. When retailers fail to do what is required, they can—and should—be held accountable.
• Bars and Restaurants – Bars and restaurants are also common locations of slip and fall accidents, with accidents involving spills being particularly common. From local bars to chain restaurants such as Subway and McDonalds, these businesses can be held fully liable for patrons’ injuries as well.
• Sports and Entertainment Venues – From college stadiums and arenas to community parks and amphitheaters, slip and fall accidents at sports and entertainment venues are also extremely common. These venues owe legal duties to spectators and participants, and they can be held liable under a wide range of circumstances.
• Offices, Warehouses, Dealer Lots and Other Business Locations – Slip and fall accidents can—and do—happen at all types of businesses. Whether you were injured while patronizing a business or while on the job, our attorneys can help you seek any and all financial compensation you deserve.
• Government Buildings – Government buildings are another common location of slip and fall accidents. Slippery floors, neglected maintenance and other issues can put both civil servants and private citizens at risk for serious, painful and expensive injuries.
• Private Residences – Private residences are a common location of slip and fall accidents as well. If you slipped and fell at a friend, neighbor or family member’s home, recovering financial compensation for your medical bills, lost wages, pain and suffering, and other losses will most likely involve dealing with his or her insurance company.

Again, these are just some of the most common examples. If you were injured on anyone else’s property and have reason to suspect that the property owner (or tenant) may be to blame, it will be worth consulting with an attorney. Your initial consultation is completely free; and, with our firm’s contingency-fee representation, you pay nothing unless we win.

What Steps Should I Take After My Injury?

After a slip or trip and fall injury, you should do everything in your power to document the incident, if possible. This can include taking the following steps:

1. Call the police.
2. Gather witness contact information.
3. Take pictures of the safety hazard that caused your accident.
4. Notify the property owner/store manager of your injury.
5. Keep copies of all medical documentation/bills pertaining to your injuries.
6. Retain the services of a seasoned slip and fall lawyer who can help you fight for the full and fair compensation to which you are entitled.

Your Initial Consultation

Our firm is here to help, no questions asked, which is why we offer 100% free initial consultations to our clients. However, before we meet, it is always best you come prepared. Personal injury lawsuits are usually document-heavy processes, and to present the best possible case on your behalf, we will need the following:

• Pictures and videos of the accident or its causes
• Your insurance information
• Any communications between you and the negligent party or their insurance company
• The police report filed at the scene of your accident
• Eyewitness contact information
• A written statement from you describing the accident
• Documents relating to your medical condition brought on by the accident, and how your medical condition or injury affects your daily life

Though, of course, you may not have access to all the aforementioned documentation, it is always best to bring as much of it as you can. Remember–the key to success is preparedness.

Statute of Limitations for Premises Liability Claims in Alabama

When people are injured in serious accidents, they are granted a certain amount of time to take legal action. This timeframe is known as the statute of limitations. The statute of limitations for premises liability lawsuits in Alabama is two years, so that means you will have two years from the date of your accident to sue a negligent party. Though to many, two years sounds like plenty of time, the truth is, it is always best to act sooner, rather than later. You should also note that in some cases, individuals will have even less time from the date of their accident to file a Notice of Claim, depending on where or how they were injured. Do not miss these important deadlines. Simply reach out to us today so we can get started working on your case.

Contact a Birmingham Slip and Fall Lawyer Today

The bottom line is that if you’ve been injured on someone else’s property due to no fault of your own, you need a law firm that can effectively fight for the compensation you need. Contact a slip and fall lawyer from Alabama Personal Injury Lawyers, LLC today to schedule your free case evaluation with our dedicated legal team.