Slip and Fall Accidents

Slip and fall accidents are a common occurrence in Nevada, and they can happen anywhere, from hotels and casinos to restaurants and grocery stores.

If you have been injured in a slip and fall accident, you may be entitled to compensation for your injuries, including medical expenses, lost wages, and pain and suffering. However, navigating the legal process can be complicated, and you may need the help of a skilled slip and fall attorney to get the compensation you deserve.

What To Do After a Slip and Fall Accident

If you have been involved in a slip and fall accident, there are several important steps you should take to protect your health and your legal rights. Here are some important things to keep in mind:

Seek medical attention: The first and most important step after a slip and fall accident is to seek medical attention for your injuries. Even if you don’t feel like your injuries are severe, it’s important to get a medical evaluation to determine the extent of your injuries and to document them for legal purposes.
Report the accident: If you are injured in a slip and fall accident, it’s important to report the accident to the property owner or manager as soon as possible. This can help you document the circumstances of the accident and assist you in making your personal injury claim.
Document the scene: If possible, take photos of the scene of the accident, including any hazardous conditions that may have caused your fall. If there were any witnesses to the accident, be sure to get their contact information as well.
Don’t make any adverse statements: After a slip and fall accident, it’s important to be careful about what you say to the property owner or their representatives. Don’t admit fault or say anything that could be used against you later on.
Contact an attorney: Contacting an experienced slip and fall attorney is an important step in protecting your legal rights. An attorney can help you understand your legal options, investigate the cause of the accident, and pursue compensation for your injuries.

By following these steps, you can protect your health and your legal rights after a slip and fall accident. It’s important to take action as soon as possible to ensure that you receive the compensation you deserve for your injuries. An experienced slip and fall attorney can help you understand your legal options and pursue the justice you deserve.

Causes of Slip and Fall Accidents

Slippery surfaces such as wet floors, spilled liquids, or freshly mopped floors are a common cause of slip-and-fall accidents. Property owners and managers have a responsibility to maintain a safe environment by promptly cleaning up spills and placing warning signs in wet areas.

Slip and Fall Injuries

Slip and fall accidents can result in a wide range of injuries, some of which can be quite serious. Common injuries that can result from slip and fall accidents include:

Broken bones: Slip and fall accidents can result in fractures to the arms, legs, hips, and other bones in the body. Fractures can be particularly serious for older adults, who may have weaker bones that are more prone to breaking.
Traumatic brain injuries (TBIs): Slip and fall accidents can result in TBIs, which occur when the brain is jolted or shaken inside the skull. TBIs can result in a wide range of symptoms, from headaches and dizziness to memory loss and personality changes.
Spinal cord injuries: Slip and fall accidents can also result in spinal cord injuries, which can cause permanent damage to the nerves and muscles in the body. Spinal cord injuries can result in partial or complete paralysis and can be particularly devastating for the victim and their family.
Soft tissue injuries: Slip and fall accidents can result in soft tissue injuries, such as sprains, strains, and contusions. While these injuries may not be as severe as some other types of injuries, they can still cause significant pain and discomfort.
Cuts and bruises: Slip and fall accidents can also result in cuts and bruises, particularly if the victim strikes their head or body on a hard surface.

If you have been injured in a slip and fall accident, it’s important to seek medical attention right away, even if you don’t think your injuries are severe. Some injuries, such as TBIs and spinal cord injuries, may not be immediately apparent and may require ongoing medical care. It’s also important to document your injuries and the circumstances of the accident, as this information may be used to support a legal claim.

Liability

In a slip-and-fall case, liability refers to who is responsible for the accident and any resulting injuries. Liability generally falls on the property owner, lessor, occupier, or controller.

To establish liability in a slip-and-fall case, it must be shown that: 1) one owned, leased, occupied, or controlled a property; 2) they were negligent in the inspection, use, or maintenance of the property; 3) an individual was harmed; and 4) the negligence of the owner, lessor, occupier, or controller was a substantial factor in causing an individual’s harm. See Nevada Jury Instruction 8.1. An owner or occupier of land is negligent if they know or should have known of a hazardous condition and fail to remedy it. To prove that an owner or occupier of land should have known of a hazardous condition, one need only prove that they should have conducted a reasonable inspection which would have revealed the dangerous condition. See Nevada Jury Instruction 8.2.

Proving that an owner, lessor, occupier, or controller of property knew or should have known of a dangerous condition can be a daunting task. That’s why it’s important to have an experienced slip and fall lawyer to assist you with your claim.

What To Do After a Slip and Fall Accident

If you have been involved in a slip and fall accident, there are several important steps you should take to protect your health and your legal rights. Here are some important things to keep in mind:

Seek medical attention: The first and most important step after a slip and fall accident is to seek medical attention for your injuries. Even if you don’t feel like your injuries are severe, it’s important to get a medical evaluation to determine the extent of your injuries and to document them for legal purposes.
Report the accident: If you are injured in a slip and fall accident, it’s important to report the accident to the property owner or manager as soon as possible. This can help you document the circumstances of the accident and assist you in making your personal injury claim.
Document the scene: If possible, take photos of the scene of the accident, including any hazardous conditions that may have caused your fall. If there were any witnesses to the accident, be sure to get their contact information as well.
Don’t make any adverse statements: After a slip and fall accident, it’s important to be careful about what you say to the property owner or their representatives. Don’t admit fault or say anything that could be used against you later on.
Contact an attorney: Contacting an experienced slip and fall attorney is an important step in protecting your legal rights. An attorney can help you understand your legal options, investigate the cause of the accident, and pursue compensation for your injuries.

Damages

Damages in slip and fall cases refer to the compensation awarded to the injured party for the losses they suffered as a result of the accident. Damages can include both economic and non-economic losses.

Economic Damages: Economic damages refer to quantifiable monetary losses that the injured party has suffered, such as medical expenses, lost wages, and property damage. These damages can be calculated based on actual expenses incurred or anticipated future expenses. For example, if an injured party had to undergo surgery and incurred $100,000 in medical expenses, they may be awarded $100,000 in economic damages.

Non-Economic Damages: Non-economic damages refer to losses that are not easily quantifiable, such as pain and suffering, emotional distress, and loss of enjoyment of life. These damages are more subjective and can be more difficult to calculate. For example, an injured party who suffers from chronic pain and emotional trauma as a result of their slip and fall accident may be awarded non-economic damages to compensate them for their suffering.