Some risks are widely acknowledged and accepted. For example, when you drive somewhere, you understand that you risk getting into a car accident. But other risks aren’t as apparent. One of those risks is a slip and fall injury. You rightfully expect that your workplace and the public places you visit will be kept free of dangers that would cause a slip and fall accident. When that proves false, you may be eligible to get compensation for any injuries you suffer. A Beaumont slip and fall lawyer at Terry Bryant Accident & Injury Law can help you understand your rights and determine what legal options you want to pursue.
Understanding Slip and Fall Liability
When You Need a Slip and Fall Attorney in Beaumont
If you slip and fall in your bathroom because you splashed water on the floor, it is your fault. But whose fault is it when you slip and fall in the bathroom at your local grocery store or in the parking lot at the gas station? It may be the fault of the property owner.
Property owners, including your employer, are required to ensure that their property is safe for anyone who is legitimately on the property. This means that they must perform proper maintenance to prevent accidents. For example, a gas station owner should assign an employee to make sure that gas or oil spills are cleaned up promptly after they occur. If that doesn’t happen, a customer or employee could slip on a spill and suffer an injury. Even if the property owner wasn’t present when that accident happened, they would be liable for any injuries resulting from it because they were negligent in their duty to protect others.
Not all slip and fall injuries are a result of another party’s negligence. To win a slip and fall lawsuit, a Beaumont slip and fall lawyer needs to prove the following elements.
The Property Owner Had a Duty to Protect Others
This is relatively easy to prove. Property owners have a duty to protect the safety of anyone legally entering their property. This means that a slip and fall lawyer in Beaumont needs only prove that the injured party wasn’t a trespasser.
The Property Owner Violated That Duty
There are many ways that a property owner can violate their duty to protect others. The gas station example is just one way. Typically, a property owner fails in their duty when they don’t take reasonable steps to protect the safety of others. The key word in that sentence is “reasonable.” A property owner wouldn’t be considered derelict in their duty if a lightbulb burned out in a stairwell and someone immediately slipped and fell because of that. There was no time for the owner, or an appropriate representative, to be notified of the danger so they could correct it. Conversely, though, a property owner can’t be willfully ignorant of dangers to avoid liability. They must take reasonable actions to inspect and be cognizant of dangers on the property.
That Violation Resulted in an Injury
Next, a slip and fall attorney in Beaumont needs to show that the violation was responsible for an injury. This means that the lawyer needs to ask the question: “Would the victim have suffered an injury if the property owner hadn’t been negligent?”
The Injury Was Significant
In terms of personal injury law, a significant injury has a meaningful cost associated with it. If you slip and fall and bruise your elbow, while that may hurt, the cost is likely meaningless. Did you miss any work because of your injury, or did you require medical treatment? If the answer to both questions is “no,” then you most likely aren’t eligible for any compensation. There must be a meaningful loss or expense involved before a Beaumont slip and fall lawyer will take your case.
Did you slip and fall and suffer a serious injury? If that injury was the result of another party’s negligence, a slip and fall lawyer in Beaumont from Terry Bryant Accident & Injury Law may be able to get you compensation for the harm you suffered. Contact our law firm today at (713) 973-8888 or toll-free 1 (800) 444-5000 to schedule a free consultation.
How a Beaumont Slip and Fall Lawyer Determines Compensation
What You Can Do to Help Your Case
The goal of your slip and fall case is to get you fair compensation for your injuries. You need that money to pay medical bills and to cover lost wages. Before you can get compensation, though, your Beaumont slip and fall lawyer needs to determine what value is fair.
As a rule, serious injuries are compensated more than less serious injuries. Thus, if you suffer a spinal cord injury or a traumatic brain injury, you will probably get more money than if you suffer a broken bone. You can help your slip and fall attorney in Beaumont determine the value of your case by carefully keeping all medical records and copies of other bills you incurred while injured.
The better you document your injuries and other damages (economic and non-economic), the more compensation you are likely to get in a slip and fall claim.
Why Choose Terry Bryant Accident & Injury Law?
Every lawyer at Terry Bryant Accident & Injury Law was handpicked by Terry Bryant for their passion for helping people in need. At Terry Bryant Accident & Injury Law, we always put the client first. Whether we are responding within 10 minutes to a request for a case review or listening carefully to your story, you and your rapid recovery are always our priority.
Every new client is assigned an experienced attorney who devotes their attention to their case. But that lawyer is just your point of contact. Every attorney in our law firm can call upon the talents and experience of the entire team. You don’t have a single lawyer handling your case — you have a full team with decades of experience and an excellent record of success.
Frequently Asked Questions
At Terry Bryant Accident & Injury Law, we love answering the questions of our clients. When a client asks lots of questions, that means they are committed to getting the best results possible. We work hard to answer all your questions so you can make educated decisions regarding your legal options. The following are some of the more common questions we get from potential clients.
How long do I have to file a slip and fall lawsuit after suffering an injury in Beaumont?
Texas has a statute of limitations for personal injury claims. You generally have two years from the date you were injured to file a lawsuit in Beaumont. (*However, always speak directly to an attorney for the exact deadlines that apply to your potential claims.) If you wait longer than that, your case will be dismissed, and you will not be able to get compensation. An attorney at Terry Bryant Accident & Injury Law can help you avoid running out of time.
How much will a Beaumont personal injury lawyer cost?
At Terry Bryant Accident & Injury Law, we take every case on contingency. That means our fee is a percentage of the your recovery. If you don’t have a succesful recovery, we won’t charge you any fee.
Can I file a slip and fall lawsuit against my employer?
Yes. Your employer is legally required to make sure your workplace is safe. If your employer doesn’t take proper precautions, they are just as liable as a property owner would be in similar circumstances. Slip and fall accidents are particularly common at construction sites when other employees or site managers don’t maintain a safe workspace.
Is the property owner always the liable party in a slip and fall accident?
No. If the property owner leases the property to another party, the leaseholder may be the responsible party. For example, if your employer rents a building, they are usually responsible for most of the maintenance of that building. If you suffer an injury because proper maintenance isn’t performed, you may need to sue your employer or the property owner, depending on the circumstances. Our legal team will help determine who is liable.
If you have any more questions regarding the law or your case, just ask any member of our team during your free consultation.
Contact Terry Bryant Accident & Injury Law Today
Unfortunately, slip and fall accidents are a common result of other people’s negligence. When you are the victim of one, you shouldn’t be responsible for the costs resulting from your injuries. Our law firm is here to help people like you get compensation.
Don’t wait to speak to a lawyer after being seriously injured in a slip and fall accident in Beaumont. Contact Terry Bryant Accident & Injury Law now at (713) 973-8888 or toll-free 1 (800) 444-5000 for a free and confidential consultation.
Attorney Terry Bryant
Terry Bryant is Board Certified in personal injury trial law, which means his extensive knowledge of the law has been recognized by the Texas Board of Legal Specialization, setting him apart from many other injury attorneys. The 22 years he spent as a Municipal Judge, Spring Valley Village, TX also provides him keen insight into the Texas court system. That experience also helps shape his perspective on personal injury cases and how they might resolve. This unique insight benefits his clients. [ Attorney Bio ]
