Charleston WV Slip and Fall Lawyer
Slip and fall accidents can cause severe and sometimes even life-long injuries. For example, it is not uncommon for these accidents to result in broken bones, spinal cord injuries, and traumatic brain injuries. If you were injured in a slip and fall accident at little to no fault of your own, you are likely entitled to compensation for medical costs, rehabilitation, pain, suffering, and more.
- What Is a Slip-and-Fall Accident?
- How To File a Slip and Fall Claim
- What Is the Statute of Limitations Governing Slip and Fall Accidents in West Virginia?
- What Compensation Is Available for Slip and Fall Injuries in West Virginia?
- What Evidence Is Needed to Win in a Slip and Fall Accident Case?
- How Long Does It Take to Settle a Slip and Fall Accident Case?
- Why Choose Warner Law Offices, PLLC, To Handle Your Slip and Fall Lawsuit?
- Contact Us Today for Help with Your Slip and Fall Lawsuit
Slip and fall victims deserve a team of top-rated lawyers on their side to ensure they are fully and fairly compensated for their injuries and losses. The skilled team of Charleston, WV, slip and fall lawyers at Warner Law Offices, PLLC, is ready to assist by evening the playing field between you and the insurance companies. We have experience handling a wide range of case types, including slip and fall accidents.
When you turn to our full-service personal injury law firm, we will evaluate the facts of your case, gather all available evidence, and build a strong claim on your behalf. Our team has been representing accident victims like you for over 20 years—let us put this experience to work in your favor. We offer free, no-obligation consultations.
What Is a Slip and Fall Accident?
Slip and fall accidents frequently result from unsafe or hazardous property conditions or improper workplace safety measures. According to the World Health Organization, these kinds of accidents are the second leading cause of unintentional injury deaths worldwide. They also account for 33 percent of preventable nonfatal injuries throughout the United States, with nearly seven million falls occurring nationwide in 2021.
These accidents can result in injuries to the head, spine, and joints. They can also cause broken bones and deep bruising.
Slips and falls often go hand in hand. Slips occur when there is not enough traction between an individual’s foot and the surface they are walking on, causing them to lose balance and potentially sustain a serious injury. Falls occur when someone drops to the ground without intending to. Both types of incidents are particularly common among older adults, with a third of adults aged 65 and older in West Virginia reporting falling in 2020.
Workplace Slip and Fall Accidents
Slip and fall accidents can happen anywhere. While they are especially common in hazardous work environments such as construction sites, they can also occur in spaces such as office buildings and retail stores. Slippery surfaces and tripping hazards in workplaces increase the risk of serious slip and fall accidents. In fact, slips and falls were the second-most common fatal workplace event nationwide in 2021, closely following transportation accidents.
If you sustain an injury in a slip and fall accident at work, you may be eligible for workers’ compensation benefits, which can cover lost wages, medical bills, disability payments, and more. You’re in good company if you find yourself in this situation—slips and falls are the leading cause of workers’ compensation claims. In 2020, 211,640 workers across the nation were injured badly enough to need time off work.
Unfortunately, workers’ compensation does not always provide enough coverage to compensate for the full cost of your injuries and losses. It is also important to note that once an injured party applies for workers’ compensation, they can no longer file a personal injury claim against their employer.
Since filing a workers’ compensation claim will limit your ability to file a personal injury lawsuit against your employer later, it is prudent to consult with an attorney before submitting a claim to ensure you receive the maximum compensation possible. An experienced personal injury lawyer for slip and fall cases can evaluate which course of action will result in a higher payout. If you’ve already filed a workers’ compensation claim, we can determine whether you can recover compensation through legal action against a work-related third party.
Contact the trustworthy West Virginia work injury lawyers at Warner Law Offices, PLLC, to learn more about your legal rights and options after a workplace slip and fall incident. We are here to help.
Premises Liability for Slip and Fall Accidents
Other slip and fall accidents may result from negligence on the part of a property owner, such as a restaurant or grocery store. When an owner fails to keep their property safe for lawful visitors, their negligence may saddle them with premises liability. For example, if a grocer mops the floor but does not put down a “wet floor” sign, they could be held legally responsible for compensating victims who are injured in a slip and fall accident as a result.
At Warner Law Offices, PLLC, our team of experienced Charleston, WV, slip and fall lawyers can help you get the full and fair compensation you deserve for your injury resulting from a property owner’s negligence. Let us put our decades of experience to work for you.
How To File a Slip and Fall Claim
If you’re considering filing a slip and fall claim, it’s important that you’ve first received medical care for your injuries. Be sure to keep a copy of all bills and records related to your treatment.
It’s also a good idea to file an incident report with the business where the slip and fall occurred. You’ll want to gather evidence at the scene, so take photos or videos of any hazardous conditions that may have contributed to the accident, such as wet floors, broken stairs, or icy pavement. If you have any visible injuries, photograph those as well.
Additionally, write down the details of what happened while your memory is still fresh. Include the location, time, date, what you were doing right before you fell, and the contact information of any witnesses.
Once you’ve taken care of all these details, contact a Charleston, WV, slip and fall lawyer for a free consultation. When you turn to our attorneys, we’ll evaluate your case and inform you of your legal options. If we agree to move forward with a slip and fall claim, we’ll handle every detail on your behalf so you can focus on your recovery.
What Is the Statute of Limitations Governing Slip and Fall Accidents in West Virginia?
It is important to note that each state has its own statute of limitations for filing personal injury cases. These laws restrict the amount of time you have to file your lawsuit. Under West Virginia state law, the statute of limitations for personal injury cases is set at two years after the date of the injury.
Failure to file your slip and fall claim by this deadline normally results in the court dismissing your case. Avoid this by speaking to a top-rated Charleston, WV, slip and fall attorney as soon as possible after your accident.
What Compensation Is Available for Slip and Fall Injuries in West Virginia?
Slip and fall lawsuits are a kind of personal injury claim. The goal of these lawsuits is to secure compensation for the economic and non-economic damages injury victims sustain as the result of an accident. The damages recovered in slip and fall injury lawsuits can cover things like:
- Past and future medical expenses
- Lost wages
- Lowered earning potential
- Disability and disfigurement
- Pain and suffering
- Mental anguish
- Lowered quality of life
- Wrongful death
- Property damage repair and replacement costs
The amount of compensation available through a slip and fall settlement varies greatly depending on many factors, the most important being the extent and severity of your injuries and the cost of treatment. At Warner Law Offices, PLLC, we are standing by to evaluate your claim and give you an idea of how much it may be worth in a free consultation.
What Evidence Is Needed to Win in a Slip and Fall Accident Case?
To secure compensation through a slip and fall personal injury lawsuit, plaintiffs must prove their case by a preponderance of the evidence. This simply means they must prove that the defendant was more likely than not responsible for the accident. Some examples of useful evidence include:
- Witness testimony
- Expert testimony
- Surveillance footage
- Photos of the conditions that gave rise to the accident
- Photos of your injuries
- Medical records
How Long Does It Take to Settle a Slip and Fall Accident Case?
Many factors collectively determine the length of time it will take to settle a slip and fall accident. Important factors include the factual complexity of the case and the at-fault party’s willingness to negotiate a fair settlement. Some slip and fall cases take just a few weeks to resolve, whereas others can take months. Very complex or extremely high-value claims may take over a year.
That said, once the parties agree on a settlement amount or a court determines the amount owed in a judgment, the actual payment should come through in just a couple of weeks. Do not let insurers pressure you into an early settlement. You may be leaving money on the table.
Contact Warner Law Offices, PLLC for a free consultation for your slip-and-fall case. Call us at 304-345-6789 or message us for experienced representation.
Why Choose Warner Law Offices, PLLC, To Handle Your Slip and Fall Lawsuit?
The Charleston, WV, slip and fall attorneys at Warner Law Offices, PLLC, have extensive experience evaluating evidence and building strong claims on behalf of our clients. Read what they have to say. We have the skills and resources needed to:
- Conduct a thorough, independent investigation of your accident
- Gather all available evidence
- Investigate the relevant law
- Draft a viable demand letter
- Negotiate a fair settlement
- Take your case to court if a fair out-of-court settlement cannot be achieved
Charleston slip and fall injury attorney Bobby Warner was raised in West Virginia and founded Warner Law Offices in 2000. Since then, he and his team have developed a proven track record of success in personal injury cases throughout West Virginia and the surrounding region.
The legal team at Warner Law Offices has successfully recovered millions of dollars on behalf of our clients, including multiple eight-figure settlements and verdicts. These results speak for themselves and demonstrate the aggressive advocacy we’re prepared to put into your case.
Contact Us Today for Help with Your Slip and Fall Lawsuit
If you or a loved one was injured in a slip and fall accident at little to no fault of your own, we are here to help you down the path toward maximum compensation. We have decades of experience defending the rights of injury victims. Let us put that experience to work defending your right to compensation.
Give us a call today at (304) 345-6789 for a free consultation to learn more with a skilled Charleston slip and fall accident lawyer. We work on a contingency fee basis, so you pay nothing unless we win.
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Bobby has received many accolades throughout the years from both his peers in the legal community, as well as the media. The National Trial Lawyers association named Bobby a Top 100 Trial Lawyer and he has been selected as a Member of the Nation’s Top One Percent. Additionally, he has been named a Best Attorneys of America by Rue Ratings, which also named Warner Law Offices to its Best Law Firms of America.
We represent clients across West Virginia and surrounding areas, providing compassionate client service and relentless advocacy in and out of the courtroom.
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