According to reports from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, around 3 million people in the United States are injured every year as a result of slip, trip, and fall accidents. Unfortunately, there are many instances where victims are harmed in these accidents due to some form of negligence.
If you find yourself dealing with physical and emotional pain and suffering following a slip and fall accident, it is vital that you understand your rights and act quickly to protect them. Reaching out to a Bridgeport slip and fall lawyer right away will ensure you are better positioned to get justice and hold the negligent party accountable.
Common Causes of Slip, Trip, and Fall Accidents
Slip and fall accidents can cause serious injuries that affect the lives of victims forever. Unfortunately, there are several factors that contribute to these incidents taking place. Some of the most common causes include:
- Uneven steps or stairs
- Poorly maintained sidewalks or outdoor pathwaysInadequate lighting
- Cluttered walkways and obstructed pathways
- Lack of handrails on stairs or ramps
- Defective or poorly designed footwear
- Loose or worn-out floor coverings (e.g., rugs, carpets)
- Wet or slippery surfaces (e.g., spills, wet floors, rain)
- Uneven or damaged flooring
- Snow and ice accumulation
Unfortunately, slip and fall accidents can happen in nearly any location, whether on public or private property, and have devastating consequences. Should you be injured as a result of a slip and fall accident, you must reach out to our Bridgeport slip and fall lawyer right away. Our team will be able to help you pursue legal action against the responsible party. To ensure you can get justice, it is imperative to ensure that you were considered a protected party at the time of the accident.
Proving Negligence in a Slip and Fall Accident
When taking legal action after a slip and fall accident, you must be able to prove negligence existed. This involves the following:
Establish the Duty of Care
You can establish the duty of care by demonstrating that the property owner or occupier owed a duty of care to heal. This duty typically involves maintaining a reasonably safe environment for visitors.
Demonstrate the Breach of the Duty of Care
After establishing the duty of care, you will need to prove that the property owner or occupier breached the required duty. This can involve demonstrating that they were aware of any dangerous conditions or should have been aware of a dangerous condition on their property but failed to address it.
Show Causation
After demonstrating the breach of duty, you must be able to establish a direct link between the breach and the slip and fall accident. You must demonstrate that the hazardous condition directly led to the injuries and damages you endured.
Protected Parties in a Connecticut Premises Liability Case
After clearly demonstrating that the elements of negligence existed at the time of your accident, you must go further to prove that you were considered a protected party at the time of the incident. In general, there are several types of parties that can be involved in premises liability cases. These include:
Invitees
An invitee is a person who enters a property by invitation. The guest is generally on the property for the benefit of the property owner. An example would be a customer in a store or even a guest at a hotel. Property owners in Connecticut owe a high duty of care to invitees. When property owners offer their premises for this type of guest, they should have regular inspections and address potential hazards should they arise.
Licensees
A licensee is someone who is permitted to be on the property, but their presence does not necessarily benefit the property owner. For example, this could be a person attending a social gathering. Although there may not be a direct benefit to the property owner for this type of guest to be on a property, the property owner is still required to provide the duty of care to this type of guest.
Trespassers
A trespasser is a person who enters the property without invitation. In many cases, these individuals may enter a premises without the property owner knowing, such as a burglar. This type of guest has the least protection under the law. However, it is important to know that property owners cannot perform actions that cause harm to individuals who are on their property uninvited.
Once it is established that you are a protected guest, our premises liability attorney in Bridgeport will demand full compensation for your losses and damages.
Laws of Comparative Negligence
Regarding personal injury claims following slip and fall accidents in Connecticut, any recoverable damages will be awarded based on the modified comparative negligence doctrine. This law states that a victim is able to recover compensation for any damages that they face as a result of their slip, trip, and fall accident so long as they are not more than 51% responsible for the accident.
In this type of situation, if the plaintiff’s negligence is equal to or less than the defendant’s, they can recover compensation for their damages, which will be reduced proportionally based on the plaintiff’s degree of negligence. Accordingly, even if you contributed to your accident taking place in some way, you may still be able to recover fair compensation for the losses and damages that you face as a result of the negligent property owner. It is imperative that you seek representation from a premises liability attorney in Bridgeport immediately to ensure you have the best chance of getting justice.
Call Our Bridgeport Slip and Fall Lawyer Today
Jonathan Perkins Injury Lawyers is dedicated to providing exceptional legal representation for clients who have suffered personal injuries. With a record of success in court and out-of-court settlements, Bridgeport slip and fall lawyer Jonathan Perkins and his team have recovered hundreds of millions of dollars in damages for injury clients. Guided by a commitment to fight for justice and protect the interests of those who have been wrongfully injured, our personal injury lawyers are ready to help you obtain the compensation you deserve. Contact our team of dedicated legal advocates today for a free consultation, and let us be your voice during this difficult time.