Missouri Slip and Fall Lawyer
Every day, approximately 2,000 Americans require emergency medical treatment for a slip and fall injury. Slips and falls are a common cause of accidents in Missouri. Oftentimes, wet floors, uneven surfaces, or poor lighting cause property visitors to lose balance and fall or slip tragically, leading to serious injuries or even death.
Such slip and fall accidents often lead to expensive medical bills, lost wages, and emotional distress. Under Missouri law, to hold negligent property owners accountable, you must show they failed to maintain a safe environment. A Missouri slip and fall lawyer can help establish liability and pursue the compensation you deserve.
Contact our law firm today and schedule a free case evaluation. All our personal injury lawyers work on a contingency fee basis, meaning our clients don’t have to pay for our legal services unless we win their case through a negotiated settlement or litigation.
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Contact our Missouri slip and fall lawyers to schedule a free consultation. All confidential or sensitive information shared with your Missouri slip and fall lawyer remains private through an attorney-client relationship.
Statistics and Facts on Missouri Slip and Fall Cases
According to Injury Facts, falls account for 21% of preventable injury-related deaths in the United States, similar to motor vehicle accidents.
Moreover, falls cause 33% of non-fatal preventable injuries.
Slip and fall accidents in the workplace incur significant expenses, with an estimated annual cost of $70 billion in compensation and medical care.
In Missouri, falls are a serious concern, particularly for seniors aged 65 and older. In 2021, there were 740 fall-related deaths in this age group. In 2018, 27.3% of older adults in Missouri experienced a fall.
The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics estimates the average cost of a slip and fall injury is $28,000.
According to the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA), slip and fall accidents represent 15% of accidental deaths nationwide.
UCLA Health reports that 80% of traumatic brain injury-related emergency visits, hospitalizations, and deaths are linked to falls.
Slip-and-fall settlements typically range from $10,000 to $50,000, varying by case.
Why do Slip and Fall Accidents Occur Frequently in Missouri?
Slip-and-fall accidents in Missouri can occur due to various hazards present on another party’s property, such as grocery stores, hotels, schools, workplaces, or residential areas. These accidents are often caused by property owner negligence and can result in significant injuries.
Some of the major reasons why slip and fall cases are frequent include:
- Improperly maintained or broken stairs
- Step-downs without warning signs
- Failure to warn visitors of potential hazards, such as spills
- Unsecured electric cords
- Debris or objects left on walkways
- Torn or overly worn carpeting
- Uneven, worn, or slippery flooring surfaces
- Insufficient lighting or railings in stairwells and hallways
If you have been injured, seek medical attention and document the conditions with photos. Consult a Missouri slip-and-fall lawyer for legal guidance and potential compensation.
Common Places for Slip and Fall Accidents in Missouri
Slip and fall accidents can happen anywhere in Missouri, but there are certain locations where they are more likely to occur. Consulting with a slip-and-fall lawyer can help you navigate your case if you have been injured in such a premises liability accident.
- Retail Stores: Slippery floors, cluttered aisles, and uneven surfaces can lead to slip and fall accidents in stores.
- Restaurants: Wet or greasy floors in kitchens and dining areas can cause slips and falls.
- Workplaces: Office buildings and industrial settings can present hazards such as loose carpets and uneven floors.
- Parking Lots: Poorly maintained or poorly lit parking areas can pose risks.
- Residential Properties: Accidents can occur in rental properties due to unsafe staircases, poor lighting, or damaged walkways.
- Public Areas: Sidewalks, parks, and public buildings can have hazards like uneven pavement or icy walkways.
If you have been involved in a slip and fall accident in Missouri, seek the help of a slip and fall attorney to discuss your case and recover compensation.
Steps to Take After a Slip and Fall Accident on Someone Else’s Property
If you have been hurt in a slip and fall case on someone else’s property, it’s important to take certain steps to protect your legal rights:
- Inform the property owner or manager about your accident and ask for an incident report if it occurred at a business.
- Take photos or videos of the accident location, including any hazards, lighting, weather, and safety equipment.
- Keep the clothes and footwear you were wearing at the time of the accident as evidence.
- Gather contact details from any bystanders or witnesses who saw the accident.
- Seek medical treatment immediately and document your injuries.
- Avoid speaking to insurance companies without consulting a slip and fall lawyer first.
The most important step to take after a premises liability accident is to talk to a slip and fall attorney to discuss your legal action.
What Damages Am I Entitled to Seek in a Missouri Slip and Fall Accident Claim?
If you have been injured in a Missouri slip and fall accident, you may be entitled to seek compensation for economic and non-economic damages. Consulting with a slip-and-fall attorney can help you prove your injury and maximize your financial recovery.
Economic Damages are measurable damages incurred by the injury or property damage due to the slip and fall accident.
- Medical expenses like hospital stays, prescriptions, and emergency care
- Lost income when the victim was recovering from the injury
- Personal property damage
- Rehabilitation and therapy costs
- Home modifications for accessibility
- Travel expenses
- Assistive devices for mobility
Non-Economic Damages are difficult to calculate in monetary amounts, and are often subjective, such as:
- Pain and suffering
- Emotional distress
- Loss of enjoyment of life
- Loss of consortium
- Permanent disfigurement and disability
- Post-traumatic stress disorder
In some rare cases, punitive damages may be awarded to penalize the party responsible for your accident. Working with an experienced slip and fall attorney can help ensure you receive the damages you deserve.
What is the Time Limit for Filing a Slip and Fall Claim in Missouri?
In Missouri, you have a five-year statute of limitations to file a slip and fall lawsuit seeking compensation for injuries and damages from your slip and fall accident. For minors, the time limit begins on their 21st birthday. If your slip-and-fall case involves government property, the filing period is much shorter, so act quickly.
Missing the deadline can result in losing your right to seek compensation, as the court may dismiss your case. It’s crucial to consult a slip and fall attorney to ensure your claim is filed in time and to navigate the legal process effectively.
Comparative Negligence Law in Missouri Slip and Fall Cases
When pursuing a slip and fall claim in Missouri, it’s important to understand the concept of comparative negligence. Comparative negligence doctrine allocates responsibility between parties based on their level of fault. For instance, if you slipped while distracted by a conversation with someone, the property owner may argue that your inattention caused the accident.
Depending on your percentage of fault, your compensation could be significantly reduced. For example, if your total potential compensation for a slip and fall case was $50,000, and you were deemed 10% at fault, you could lose $5,000 from your settlement. Consulting a Missouri slip and fall lawyer can help you determine your share of liability and potentially maximize your compensation.
Winning a Slip and Fall Case in Missouri: What to Prove
To win a slip and fall case in Missouri, you must demonstrate specific elements to establish the property owner’s liability. A Missouri slip and fall lawyer can guide you through this process. Here’s what you need to prove:
Duty of Care: Show that the property owner had a responsibility to maintain a safe environment.
Breach of Duty: Provide evidence that the owner failed to meet their duty of care by neglecting a hazardous condition. For example, failing to inform visitors about the poor lighting or a broken staircase.
Causation: Prove that the breach directly caused your slip and fall incident. For example, loose handrails disrupted your balance and caused you to fall.
Damages: Demonstrate that you suffered harm due to the fall, such as physical injuries, emotional distress, or financial losses.
By gathering evidence and working with a skilled slip and fall attorney, you can strengthen your claim. This may involve collecting photos, medical records, and witness statements. A successful slip and fall lawsuit can result in compensation for your injuries and related expenses.
Schedule a Free Consultation Today With Our Missouri Slip and Fall Lawyers
Slip and fall accidents can cause mild to fatal life-threatening personal injuries including broken bones, sprains, traumatic brain injuries, and spine injuries. Under Missouri law, victims may seek damages for the resultant medical expenses, lost wages, and pain and suffering. If you got injured after a tragic slip or fall on someone else’s property, consider seeking legal action to hold their negligence accountable.
A Missouri slip and fall lawyer, at the Injury Lawyer Team, sponsored by Rosenfeld Law Offices, can help prove your accident damages and recover fair compensation. Our St. Louis slip and fall lawyers have a successful track of achieving favorable outcomes for clients.
Contact our law firm today at (888) 424-5757 to schedule a free consultation. All confidential or sensitive information you share with our slip and fall attorneys will remain private under an attorney-client relationship.