Tempe Slip and Fall Injury Attorneys

Premises Liability

Premises liability refers to the owner being liable for any injuries that occur on their property. For example, if you fall over on a wet floor without any caution sign visible, the owner of the shop may be responsible for paying for your injuries. This law is primarily in place to make sure that owners maintain a safe environment for their guests.

There are slight variations in the owner’s duty depending on the type of property it is and your purpose for being there. If you are in a commercial area, you are considered to be an invitee. If you are going somewhere for private matters, you are a “licensee.” Finally, anyone entering a property without consent is classified as a trespasser. Typically, trespassers receive less compensation than the other two types of visitor.

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What Are the Common Causes of Slip-and-Fall Accidents?

There are many reasons why people slip and fall, and they can generally be classified into intrinsic and extrinsic factors. Intrinsic factors may include medical conditions, such as disorders affecting balance and coordination.

Whereas extrinsic factors refer to conditions of the outside environment. Common extrinsic factors that can increase your likelihood of falling include:

• Wet surfaces
• Uneven ground
• Broken handrails
• Poor lighting
• Hazards that aren’t properly sign-posted
• Electrical faults

It is the owners’ responsibility to ensure that the property is safe for anyone. Unless it is very obvious, they must identify and label any potential hazards that can lead to harm. Their failure to do so may result in injury, and they could be liable to pay compensation.

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What Injuries Are Most Common?

Trauma due to falling is a significant health burden in America. While children generally can withstand high-velocity falls, this is not true for adults, especially the older generations. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention report that 20% of falls result in serious injury. There is a wide spectrum of consequences, such as:

• Soft tissue and skin trauma
• Broken bones, e.g., hip and arm fracture
• Head injuries
• Reduced mobility
• Formation of blood clots in your legs and arms
• Psychological complications, e.g., reduced confidence when mobilizing
• Permanent disability such as nerve damage
• Significant economic loss due to medical bills or loss of income

Particularly in older adults, a fall is a serious life event which has been found to reduce their quality of life and increase their risk of mortality.

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How Is Liability Determined?

Liability is largely dependent on the claim and the strength of the case. You will need to provide adequate evidence that the injury was directly caused by an external fault. This can be through your testimony and collateral evidence, including photos and eyewitnesses.

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How Can a Lawyer Help?

Being represented by a Tempe injury lawyer is pivotal to getting the justice that you deserve, and it does matter who you choose. Here at The Husband & Wife Law Team, we have been practicing personal law in Arizona for over 25 years.

With a success rate of 98%, let us be the ones that fight to claim back your life after a bad fall. Please don’t hesitate to call us for a free consultation at (480) 753-4534, so we can discuss your options moving forward.

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