Shreveport Slip and Fall Attorneys

Slip, Trip, and Fall Accidents in Louisiana

Slips, trips, and falls—often referred to simply as “slip and falls”—are some of the most common and most serious of accidents. In fact, falls are among the leading causes of catastrophic injuries, including severe bone fractures, head injuries, traumatic brain injuries, and spinal cord injuries.

Severe falls are also one of the most common causes of traumatic death in the United States.

Often, slip and falls can be avoided when property owners take the necessary steps to remove unsafe conditions or warn visitors about hazards that could cause foreseeable injury.

Under Louisiana premises liability law, property owners who fail to adequately maintain their premises, remove or repair hazards, or warn visitors about dangerous property conditions can be held liable for resulting injuries and damages.

If you were injured after slipping, tripping, and/or falling on someone else’s property, reach out to our attorneys at The Hall Law Firm. We can review the details of your case and help you fight for the fair compensation you are owed. Our attorneys have recovered millions of dollars for our clients, and we are prepared to provide you with the personal attention and legal support you deserve.

Contrary to popular misconception, slip and falls are less likely to result from individual clumsiness than to be caused by unsafe and/or unreasonable hazards.

Some examples of common dangerous property conditions that lead to slip, trip, and fall accidents include:

• Wet or slippery floors
• Pooled water/liquids
• Uneven flooring
• Torn or ripped carpeting
• Unmarked steps
• Defective sidewalks
• Spills
• Freshly mopped or waxed floors
• Missing handrails
• Improper or missing signage
• Poor lighting
• Cluttered aisles, walkways, etc.
• Potholes
• Defective staircases
• Loose floormats or floorboards

Property owners have a responsibility to provide notice of dangerous conditions and, if possible, remove or repair them so as to prevent foreseeable accidents and injuries. If you believe that your slip and fall accident was the result of a property owner’s negligence, get in touch with The Hall Law Firm today to learn how our Shreveport slip, trip, and fall attorneys can help.

While it may seem obvious that a property owner was responsible for a slip, trip, and fall accident, proving the property owner’s liability can actually be very complex.

As the person bringing the claim (known as the “plaintiff”), you must prove each of the following elements:

• You were injured
• You were lawfully on the property when the injury occurred
• The property owner owed you a duty of care
• There was a dangerous condition on the property that was unreasonable and posed a risk of foreseeable injury
• The property owner created or knew about/reasonably should have known about the condition
• The property owner failed to exercise reasonable care (i.e., remove, repair, or warn others of the existence of the dangerous condition)

The most important thing to prove in a Louisiana premises liability lawsuit is negligence on the part of the property owners. Unfortunately, owners can pull a “quick fix” and cover up the situation before it can be properly documented, making it hard to prove that they were negligent or that the condition existed at all. If possible, victims of slip and fall accidents should take pictures as soon as possible and document the conditions that caused their fall.

Sometimes, property owners (or their insurance providers) will argue that the slip and fall victim was at fault. They may try to claim that the dangerous condition that caused the fall was obvious enough that the individual could have taken reasonable measures to avoid it.

They may argue that the victim was negligent, whether by wearing inappropriate footwear or by looking down at their phone while walking.

In any case, if the insurance adjuster and/or court finds you partly at fault for the accident, you can still file a personal injury claim and seek compensation for your damages. However, the amount you can recover will be reduced by your assigned percentage of fault.

For example, if the insurance company finds you 30 percent at fault, you can only recover up to 70 percent of the total amount you are seeking in damages. Depending on the total cost of your damages, this could mean thousands or even tens of thousands of dollars you can’t collect.

Additionally, the property owner may dispute liability by arguing that you were unlawfully on the property when the incident occurred. If the court rules that you were, indeed, trespassing, you may not be able to recover any compensation for your damages.

It is very important that you work with an experienced slip and fall lawyer, like those at The Hall Law Firm. We know the common defenses insurance companies use to dispute liability and avoid paying out claims—and we know how to fight back.

The statute of limitations, or time limit, for filing a personal injury lawsuit in Louisiana is just one year from the date of the incident and/or injury.

This means that, in most cases, you only have one year after the accident to file your slip and fall injury lawsuit. If you wait too long, and the statute of limitations expires, you will almost certainly lose your right to recover compensation for your damages.

The sooner you reach out to our team, the better. The Hall Law Firm is here to answer your questions and immediately begin investigating your case.

We offer free initial consultations and do not collect any legal fees unless/until we win your case. As a client, you will always receive direct, personalized attention from your attorney, as well as compassionate representation throughout the legal process.