Slip and Fall Injuries
Attorney Representation in Phoenix Arizona Since 1996
Arizona Slip and Fall Injury Lawyer
In the event that a slip and fall happens to you, what steps should be taken to maximize chances for compensation?
Firstly, it is best to create a paper trail, and making sure that your account of the accident is down on paper is a good start. Photographs with the relevant details (i.e. what caused the slip and fall) and eyewitness accounts are important as well. If the slip and fall accident took place at a business, the owner may want a report filled out. As Arizona law does not require such a report, as experienced Arizona personal injury lawyers we advise that you get input from a lawyer first. It is also important to seek legal counsel swiftly in any Arizona slip and fall case against a liable party.
When is a property owner not liable for a slip and fall accident?
The law mandates that property owners must take reasonable steps to take care of their property. Should, for example, a landlord have a property on which many people have previously tripped on a broken step yet the landlord does nothing to warn or repair it, he or she is likely to be held liable if another person slips and falls on that same step again. On the other hand, if there were a hidden obstacle on which no one had previously tripped or slipped and fallen, then the owner most likely would not be held responsible, as he or she did not know about the condition.
Should you still pursue legal action even if there were only minor injuries related to the slip and fall?
The decision to seek compensation for an injury is ultimately a personal one. Filing a personal injury law suit can be time-consuming and emotionally involving. Not every injury is worthy of a lawsuit to the person who was hurt or to anyone else. We have seen far too many people "pushed" towards pursuing litigation on cases that are not worth the time, effort, energy or expense. In addition, due to the perception that most people and juries have that we live in an overly litigious society, bringing a lawsuit for injuries that are minor and heal quickly may not be in the best interest of anybody. However, where to "draw the line" is a tough call, and it never hurts to get the input of experienced, straightforward Phoenix premises liability lawyers who will tell you if you have a case worthy of the investment of time and money to pursue.
It is up to an injured party whether to seek compensation for an injury. Arizona personal injury lawsuits can be both time-consuming and emotionally draining, and not every injury is worthy of a lawsuit. Too many times people are pushed into pursuing litigation for cases that are not worth the time, effort, energy, or expense. There is also a perception that our society is overly litigious, so it may not be worthwhile to pursue a claim for a relatively minor injury. It is difficult to know where to draw the line, however, and that is why it is important to get the input of an experienced and honest legal representative to help you decide whether your case is worth the time and investment to pursue.
If your claim happened a long time ago, can a claim still be made?
There are statutes of limitations that apply to any personal injury case, including slip and falls. If your Arizona slip and fall injury was due to a property defect, you may have as long as two years to file a claim. However, in some cases the time limit may be considerably less. In some cases, it may be as little as 180 days, depending on who the owner or other responsible party was at the time the injury occurred.
We invite you to connect with Alexis and Mark Breyer, our Phoenix personal injury law team, who have been fighting for fair compensation for their clients since 1996. We are happy to offer a free case consultation to evaluate your legal options and help you decide how to proceed.
Please visit our Phoenix Arizona Slip and Fall Website for more information
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