Minnesota Slip and Fall Lawyers

The unsettling reality of slip and fall accidents is that they happen in common settings at unexpected times. Fortunately, the result is often little more than one’s pride being hurt, but this is not always the case. In the US, slip and fall accidents are second only to motor vehicle accidents for cause of accidental deaths, representing 15% of the total. Older adults are particularly vulnerable, as 20% of their falls lead to serious injury, even death.

A visit to the grocery store can very quickly turn into a life-changing event. Spilled liquids can suddenly lead to a fall. As you lie on the floor, the pain slowly makes itself apparent, leaving you to wonder just how bad your injury is. When you experience an injury in a situation like this, it is important to contact a slip and fall attorney. An experienced lawyer can establish liability and ensure that you get the medical care and settlement you deserve. If you have recently experienced a fall that was not your fault, call or text our slip and fall lawyers at 612-INJURED at (612) 465-8733.

What is a slip and fall injury?

A slip and fall injury, aka trip and fall injury or slip, trip, and fall injury, is a type of premises liability injury. When a claim is made following and slip and fall injury, it is because the claimant feels that it occurred due to the negligence of another. For example, if a person slipped on the ice in a department store parking lot and broke their wrist, they might choose to file a claim because they feel the negligence causing the slick parking lot makes another party liable for their injury.

There are a few criteria that must be met to make a slip and fall claim.

1. There is a legal duty in place that the defendant owes to the plaintiff.
2. The defendant breached that duty.
3. The plaintiff suffered an injury.
4. This breach led to the plaintiff’s injury.

In the parking lot example, the parking lot should be a safe place for customers to walk. The defendant did not clear the ice to ensure that. The plaintiff broke their wrist. The slick parking lot led to the plaintiff falling and injuring the wrist. A slip and fall lawyer knows how to properly collect evidence to help ensure that you have a successful claim.

What to Do after a Slip and Fall Accident

If you have suffered a slip and fall injury, there are a few steps you should take to protect yourself after it has happened.

1. Assess your condition and see a doctor. Beyond getting proper treatment, seeing a doctor will allow a medical professional to document the extent of your injuries. If you feel you have suffered a severe injury, particularly if you hit your head, call 911. This will bring medical treatment to you and can mean the difference between life and death.
2. Report your accident. If it is at a store or other commercial property, it is important to get a copy of the incident report. Make sure you have it in hand before you leave. If it is a private residence, let them know.
3. Document what happened. Use your smartphone to take pictures, notes, and gather contact information from any witnesses. You need information on your exact location and what you were doing when it happened.
4. Call a slip and fall attorney. Slip and fall injury cases can have a lot of complexity. Proving your case can sometimes pose a challenge, and insurance companies are often unwilling to offer a settlement you deserve. This is why it is important to have the representation of an experienced lawyer to handle the details, so you can focus your energy on recovering.

As a word of caution, the defendant’s insurance company may call you and ask for a statement. This is an effort to get you to say something that would put you at least partially at fault to reduce what they pay. Offer no statement or even an apology. Instead, speak to a slip and fall attorney. They understand how insurance companies work and know how to address them.

Do I need a slip and fall lawyer?

Even if you have collected all the information about your accident, had an incident report filed, have witnesses, and a doctor has documented your slip and fall injury, you still have the obstacle of taking on an insurance company. The friendly store owners where you were injured are not deciding your settlement. You are now facing a large company that is in business to make money. Paying you a fair settlement does not work toward that goal. An experienced attorney will collect all the necessary information, work with the different parties, and make sure that your rights are represented.

Keep in mind the statute of limitations for slip and fall injuries in Minnesota. A slip and fall injury caused by negligence has a six-year statute of limitations. An injury caused by a defect in real property or property improvement is two years. For example, the statute of limitations for a claim where the steps crumble while you use them is two years, but a claim where you fall because the stairs are iced over because they were unsalted is six years.

Common Slip and Fall Injuries

A slip and fall can affect you in several ways dependent on how you fall, how quickly you fall, and your physical condition. There are some types of injuries we see more often than others.

1. Head injuries are an unfortunate common occurrence. These are often minor concussions, which tend to heal well. We sometimes see traumatic brain injuries (TBI) result from falls. These tend to be life-altering and affect the injured for the rest of their lives. Even if you think you are fine, see a doctor. If you wait until you suddenly feel like you need medical care, it might already be too late.
2. Soft tissue injuries are not always immediately apparent. The shock of the fall might mask what else is happening. Ligament damage, ankle sprain, or a torn cartilage are just a few of many examples of soft tissue damage. If not properly addressed by a medical professional, a soft tissue injury can lead to chronic pain. This is why it is always important to see a doctor.
3. Spinal cord injuries are severe injuries caused by either the severance or compression of the spine. The long-term affects are quite often debilitating and costly. Mobility issues for those still able to walk greatly affect their quality of life.
4. Broken bones are very common. Those happening to legs, wrists, arms, and hands are seen often. Broken hips, particularly in older adults, can pose even more problems. One third of older adults suffering from a fractured hip die within one year of the injury.
5. Cuts, bruises, and abrasions. These injuries are most typically superficial, requiring little more than stitches. You should still be cautious, as these injuries might be a sign of something more serious underneath them.

One situation that occasionally happens is death from a fall. If you have had a loved one pass from a fall due to the negligence of another, call us. We will pursue a wrongful death claim and make sure that we bring a sense of justice for those left behind.

Common Types of Slip and Fall Accidents

There are areas we have seen that repeatedly produce slip and fall accidents in Minnesota.

1. Icy walkways are a given in Minnesota. Sidewalks and parking lots often are not plowed, shoveled, or salted. This results in the potential for walking hazards for months during winter.
2. Spilled liquids in restaurants and grocery stores are often hard to see, especially in crowded settings creating an obstructed view.
3. Snow melted off shoes and boots in common areas is another wintertime hazard in Minnesota. These can be in stores, restaurants, or even inside entry ways in apartment buildings.
4. Fall from damaged and uneven steps leading into buildings are often due to landlords ignoring what they already know needs to be addressed.
5. Poorly lit areas make it difficult to see what obstacles are in the way, leaving you vulnerable to a trip and fall injury.
6. Fairs, carnivals, and amusement parks can produce many slip, trip, and fall scenarios. In Minnesota, we love visiting these places in the summer, but cables from rides, wet metal ramps, and obstacles hidden by bustling crowds can sometimes leave you vulnerable to an injury.
7. Construction setups are a surprising trip and fall hazard. If you have walked through downtown Minneapolis during warmer months, you will notice ladders, makeshift protective walkways, scaffolding, and even the occasional errant bucket on the sidewalk. When hustling back from a food truck after lunch, it is easy to miss hazards in the crowd and suffer an injury.
8. Private residences can have a list of issues from slick sidewalks to frayed carpeting. If you have been injured at a friend’s house, you have the right to bring a claim and settle with their insurance company. Otherwise, you will have to deal with medical bills and lost wages yourself.

Talk to a Slip and Fall Attorney Today

If you have been injured in a slip and fall accident, call us. Our experienced attorneys work with insurance companies every day to secure the settlements our clients deserve. We will go to work right away gathering evidence, communicating with parties, and making sure that your rights are represented. Whether you live in Minnetonka, Minneapolis, or Mankato, we represent clients anywhere in Minnesota. Call or text our attorneys at 612-INJURED at (612) 465-8733.

A Tailored Approach

One of the reasons that our team of Minnesota slip and fall accident attorneys is able to help is due to the individualized approach we take with each case. Your case if different than someone else’s. Understanding this, and bringing empathy to your situation, is one of our strongest points.

Our professional slip and fall accidents lawyers take the time to really understand your injuries and the full scope of the case. We help assess whether there is liability on the property owner’s part and determine if it’s worth pursuing.

This tailored approach ensures that no two cases are ever the same. More importantly, it helps us on our mission to make sure you receive just compensation. We ensure you get the representation you need for the settlement you deserve.

The Right Attorney for the Job

If you’re injured in a slip and fall accident, remember that you need attorneys who will represent your interests in the case. No matter how minor your injury might be or how severe, if the property owner was negligent in make their property safe, you may have a legal right to compensation.

Whether you or a loved one have been a victim, remember our slip and fall accidents law firm is here to represent you and ensure you get your just settlement. Contact us today for a free consultation and find out the options available to you.