If you tripped, slipped, or fell and injured yourself because of someone else’s negligence, you should not have to bear the economic burden. Property owners must maintain a reasonably safe premises and always uphold their responsibility to maintain the safety of the premises they invite visitors to enter. If they failed to do this, it is in your best interest to seek out an aggressive personal injury attorney.
When innocent people sustain a severe injury in an accident on account of another, they deserve skilled legal representation with a wealth of experience to represent them. A Florence slip and fall lawyer can fight for you and pursue economic recovery from the at-fault party.
Conditions That Lead to Slip and Falls
A slip and fall injury lawyer in Florence could assist the investigation by reviewing all angles surrounding the case. That includes checking the conditions present at the time of the injury, the lighting, weather, the presence (or lack thereof) of warning signs, whether the premises complied with local building codes and safety standards, and any other details that might shed light as to what happened. Frequent causes of slip and fall accidents include:
- Accumulation of ice and snow that property owner neglects to treat
- Floors that are wet and slippery without warning
- Sidewalk and walkways that are badly damaged
- Potholes and debris in walkways
- Broken stairs or handrails
- Uneven pavement or gravel
- Falling or lose debris at a construction site or dilapidated structure
All of these hazards require the property owner to fix them as soon as possible or at least set out a visible warning to anyone who might be passing through. Failure to do so could constitute negligence.
The Cost of Slip and Falls
Slip and falls are among the most common causes of injury. In the United States, more than one million people go to the hospital each year for this reason. Many of the more severe accidents cost an average of about $30,000 to properly treat and often include broken limbs, concussions or severe brain injuries, hip fractures, and many other serious ailments. Many slip and fall injuries require surgical intervention and months of rehabilitation.
The injuries you face after a falling accident can lead to extended hospital stays and expensive medical bills. You might also be physically unable to work and experience a loss of income that needs to be supplemented or you might require home renovations to accommodate any permanent losses like paralysis.
Pure Comparative Negligence Law
In order to be successful in a lawsuit, it must be proven that the property owner or manager knew or should have reasonably known that the area was unsafe. A Florence slip and fall attorney could help establish the property owner’s liability in the accident, using resources and methods that a person would be unable to utilize on their own.
Kentucky is a “pure comparative fault” state. This means the injured party’s damages will be reduced by his or her percentage of fault. Even if the plaintiff was 60% at fault for causing the injury, he or she could recover up to 40% of the damages from the property owner.
Kentucky’s Revised Statute § 411.182 states that when a court determines the negligent party in a lawsuit, they will also decide the proportion of fault that each party shares for the accident. Whatever percentage they place on the plaintiff, their damages award will be reduced by that percentage.
One-Year Statute of Limitations
The statute of limitations for a slip and fall injury is one (1) year from the date of the incident. This is a very short period of time, particularly if you sustain a serious bodily injury as a result of the incident. Serious injuries frequently require surgery and extensive physical therapy. Many physicians do not want to offer permanency opinions until one (1) year after the surgery. As a result, it is in your best interest to contact an experienced slip and fall lawyer quickly. Our firm will be able to launch full investigation, secure all potential evidence, and handle the entire insurance claim from start to finish.
Schedule a Meeting with a Florence Slip and Fall Today
A severe slipping accident has the potential to cause a great deal of physical pain and could also leave you with an overwhelming amount of medical debt. When factoring in the potential missed wages and any future medical needs, it is easy to see how someone can be overwhelmed and feel they have no options. Fortunately, the law affords a remedy.
If you are agonizing over your medical and economic losses due to a slip and fall type injury, contact a Florence slip and fall lawyer to learn how you can set things straight.
