A slip-and-fall lawyer in Birmingham can give you a fresh perspective on your case to help make sure you maximize your compensation.
When you enter a business or lawfully step onto another person’s property, you should expect the basic care to keep you safe from serious harm. Unfortunately, that basic duty is not always met.
Slip-and-fall claims are under the blanket of premises liability, meaning that, if you are on another person’s property, the owner is liable for your safety. When property owners don’t take care to keep you safe, it can lead to serious harm. For many people, a fall can mean head trauma, broken bones, or back injuries, depending on the force and location of the accident.
If you’ve been left with one of these injuries, a Birmingham slip-and-fall lawyer can help you win the compensation you need to get your life back. While you may be suffering from your injuries, you’ll need to act fast to file your claim. We can help.
If you are on a residential or commercial property in Birmingham, the owners are likely responsible for your injuries. For example, if you slip and fall in a store, and no one and no sign warned you of any hazardous conditions, the owner of that business may be responsible for your damages.
A slip-and-fall attorney in Birmingham can be sure that you have the right person listed as your defendant. In cases of a residential trip-and-fall claim, you may know the person directly, but otherwise, the defendant may not be so clear. Luckily, your lawyer will be able to investigate, which can give you less stress and more time to focus on your injuries.
Getting your claim heard is one thing. Getting your settlement, however, can be much more complicated.
Before you ever file your Birmingham slip-and-fall claim, you need to look closely at the state laws that affect your claim. Alabama law can be tricky, and if you’re not aware of the statutes that affect your claim, you could end up with no compensation at all.
First, your accident must have happened relatively recently. If your slip-and-fall accident happened earlier than the past two years, you will most likely be unable to recover compensation for your damages. If possible, you need to act quickly after the accident so the evidence doesn’t have time to disappear.
Unfortunately, being within the statute of limitations doesn’t guarantee that your case won’t be dismissed. Negligence laws are another important factor, and if your evidence is not completely solid, your case could fail.
Alabama is one of the few states to still recognize “pure contributory fault.” For you, this means the property owner may push to put part of the blame on you. If you are found at fault to any degree, your case will likely be dismissed, and you will be barred from recovery.
For example, let’s say you were injured in a slip-and-fall accident in Birmingham, but you were on your phone for a moment before the fall. This information could be used to your disadvantage, suggesting you wouldn’t have fallen if you had been paying attention. Fortunately, the right lawyer can demonstrate why you hold no blame for what happened to you.
Before you file your claim, you should also make sure that you have calculated all the damages you have suffered after your fall, both financial and non-financial.
For example, you might have suffered a severe back injury from your fall, and that injury will require surgery later on, once you have had time to heal. Both the expenses for the surgery and the expenses for your current treatment should be considered.
Likewise, be sure not to neglect any mental toll the accident has taken on your body. While a slip-and-fall likely won’t result in severe mental trauma, a broken bone can be extremely painful. If this pain has prevented you from enjoying your daily life, you need to include this in your settlement calculations. A slip-and-fall attorney in Birmingham can do this part for you so you can focus on healing.
If you’ve been hurt on someone else’s property and the accident wasn’t your fault, you may need help getting your life back. Fortunately, we know how to do exactly that. We understand how serious a fall can be, and with your free, no-obligation consultation, you can see exactly how seriously we take your case.
If you’re ready to get your claim started, don’t hesitate to get in touch with a Birmingham slip-and-fall lawyer. Call us at 205-995-2412 or complete the online contact form below to start the process.
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