Virginia Slip and Fall Lawyer
Personal Injury Law Office in Tysons Corner
Slips and falls are often unexpected and commonly result in serious injuries for victims. After a fall on public or private property, you may be unsure of your rights or who you can trust. An experienced Virginia slip and fall lawyer can help you recover the maximum compensation for your injuries.
For victims, slips and falls can happen in an instant, but the effects may have lifelong consequences. Broken limbs, neck injuries, and even traumatic brain injury can all be caused from a slip or a fall.
In many cases, unsafe safety precautions – like poor lighting, a lack of railing, or improper signage – are the root cause. If your accident was caused by a property owner’s negligence, you may be entitled to compensation.
Have you been injured in a slip and fall accident? A Virginia slip and fall lawyer can be a powerful asset in your corner. Your attorney will investigate the cause of your accident, determine who’s liable, and seek damages and compensation to cover your injuries. After an accident, your focus should be on recovery – not wondering how you will pay for medical bills. Let Attorney Michael Strong help you recover the compensation you deserve.
Call now for a free case evaluation to learn more about your rights.
Common Causes of Slip and Fall Accidents
Property owners have a responsible to eliminate hazards and keep their premises safe for visitors. The majority of property owners take proper precautions. Yet, when unsafe conditions are left, slips and falls can happen. The vast majority of Virginia slip and fall cases are caused by unsafe conditions. They include:
- Improper lighting
- Inadequate signage
- Broken railings or steps
- Slippery or icy sidewalks
- Lack of handrails
- Wet floors
- Obstructions in hallways
If a property owner was aware of an unsafe condition and didn’t take steps to fix the problem or warm visitors, that owner may be held liable for injuries caused as a result. Yet, even if the property owner wasn’t aware of the hazard, he or she can be held liable if adequate maintenance was not conducted.
Why You Need a Virginia Slip and Fall Lawyer
Virginia has tough slip and fall laws that make it difficult for victims to recover compensation for their injuries. For example, Virginia uses a “contributory negligence” rule in these types of cases. This means that if you bear any of the fault in your accident, you cannot recover compensation.
Property owners will aggressively defend their case and look for specific ways to pin at least some of the blame on you. For example, a property might try to say:
- Your footwear wasn’t conducive to the terrain
- You weren’t paying full attention, e.g. using your phone
- You were on a part of the property that was inaccessible or areas where you weren’t allowed to be
- Steps were taken to make the hazard obvious to you
In other words, to bring a slip and fall case in Virginia, you must have strong evidence and be able to prove negligence. When you hire a Virginia slip and fall lawyer, your attorney’s first task will be to investigate your accident and determine fault.
Your attorney will collect evidence, speak with witnesses, and will interview you about your case to determine if you have legal grounds to bring a pursue compensation.
Types of Compensation for Slip and Fall Victims
Injuries sustained in a slip or fall accident can have significant impacts on your day-to-day life. Financially, you may have medical bills and rehabilitation costs to pay for. You might have lost wages, after spending time away from work to recover.
Victims have several avenues for recovering compensation for their injuries. They include:
- Compensatory damages. Compensatory damages compensate victims for any costs related to their accident. This includes financial and non-financial costs. This type of compensation could be used to pay for:
- Medical bills, rehabilitation costs
- Lost wages or lost earning capacity
- Pain and suffering
- Disability
- Loss of normal life
- Punitive damages. In cases of gross negligence or malice, you can seek punitive damages. This is compensation that is awarded on top of any compensatory damages. It is awarded by a jury, if your case goes to trial.
What to Do After an Accident
If you have been injured in a slip or fall accident, you should, first and foremost, seek medical attention. If your injuries are severe, call 911 and seek medical attention immediately. No matter the case, it’s important to seek medical treatment as soon as possible. Schedule an appointment with your physician or a physical therapist, as soon as you can.
In addition, it’s important to seek a record of the injury. Collect witness statements from the property owner, employees, or witnesses who saw your accident or were near where the accident occurred. If the police were called, you can file a police incident report, as well.
Talking with Insurance Companies and Attorneys
In the days following your accident, you may feel compelled to contact your insurance company. And you may hear from the insurer and attorney of the at-fault party.
In both cases, we recommend you speak with a qualified Virginia slip and fall lawyer prior to having these discussions. Insurers typically do not have your best interest in mind. They’re interested most in the bottom line, and therefore, may ignore, delay or deny your claim.
If you do hear from an attorney from the at-fault party, you are not legally obligated to speak with them. In fact, we strongly recommend that you do not. If you are badgered into a conversation, do not admit fault or share details of your case. Accepting even a small bit of blame can damage your case. In these cases, it’s best to seek legal counsel.
Request a Free Case Evaluation
A slip and fall accident can cause serious injuries. Often, victims do not know their rights and who to turn to for help. If you have been injured, our Virginia slip and fall lawyers want to help. Call us today for a free case evaluation.
During our no-obligation case reviews, we will seek facts about your case, determine if you can pursue compensation, and provide advice about what steps you should take. Call now for a consultation.
