Massachusetts Slip & Fall Lawyer

What You Need to Know About Slip & Fall Accidents

If you have suffered severe injuries due to a fall, our MA slip & fall lawyer can help you understand your legal rights to get injury claims for your injuries resulting from another’s carelessness. Several types of slip & fall accidents may occur on another person’s property or company, including wet or slick surface areas, stairway falls, veranda falls, parking ramp falls, automobile accidents, sidewalk falls, and shower falls. However, there are two things you should do immediately after the accident: get any necessary medical attention and speak with a slip & fall accident attorney about what transpired.

See that you file an accident report, photograph the scene, and secure the evidence. That being said, each slip and fall accident is unique. It would be to your best advantage to retain the services of our Massachusetts personal injury lawyers who can advise you on the specifics of your injury claim.

In general, property owners are obligated to provide a safe environment for individuals allowed inside their houses. If you can show that the property owner was negligent and was aware of, or should have been aware of, the hazardous or defective condition that caused your slip and fall, you may be entitled to compensation for your injuries. Call us now to schedule a free consultation with a personal injury law firm in Boston, MA. 

Premises Liability Lawyer Representing Residents of the Boston Area

According to Massachusetts law, premises liability claims can arise from any type of accident or harm that results from a landowner’s failure to maintain their property in an appropriate and safe condition. One of the most common hazards that people face on a property is a slip & fall accident. This can involve spilled liquid at the supermarket or uneven walkways outside a building, among other examples. There are many different elements that a Boston slip and fall lawyer must prove before a victim will be entitled to compensation.

At The Law Offices of Barry Feinstein & Affiliates P.C., we know how daunting and complicated this process likely seems. Our seasoned team of legal professionals can assist you with all aspects of your claim, including identifying evidence and negotiating with insurance companies. Contact us as soon as possible to learn more about how we can assist you with protecting your rights.

What Is a Slip and Fall Accident?

The phrase “slip and fall accident” refers to a personal injury case where a person falls or stumbles and sustains an injury on another’s property. Typically, these instances come under the broader category of “premises liability” claims. Slip and fall incidents often occur on someone else’s property (or “premises”), and the property owner may be considered at fault and be held legally liable. These accidents can happen in various settings, such as public places, workplaces, or private residences.

Slip and fall accidents can result in a wide range of injuries, ranging from minor bruises and sprains to more severe consequences such as broken bones, head injuries, or spinal cord damage. The impact of these accidents can be significant, leading to medical expenses, pain and suffering, lost wages, and long-term disabilities. If you or a loved one has been involved in a slip and fall accident, it’s crucial to seek legal advice from a Massachusetts slip & fall lawyer who can help you protect your rights and seek appropriate compensation.

What are the Common Causes of Slip and Fall Accidents?

Slip and fall accidents can occur due to various causes. Understanding these causes with the help of our Massachusetts slip & fall attorney is essential for identifying potential hazards and taking preventive measures. Here are some common causes of slip and fall accidents:

• Wet or Slippery Surfaces – spills, leaks, or freshly mopped floors without proper warning signs
• Ice and Snow – accumulated ice or snow on walkways, parking lots, or staircases
• Rainwater or Moisture – entrance areas or poorly designed drainage systems that allow rainwater or moisture to accumulate
• Loose Rugs or Mats – ripped carpeting, ill-fitting or wrinkled rugs, and mats can cause individuals to trip or slip when walking over them
• Cracked or Uneven Flooring – damaged sidewalks, parking lots, or floors with uneven surfaces
• Loose Floorboards or Tiles – loose or broken floorboards, loose tiles, or carpeting that is not securely fastened
• Damaged Stairs or Handrails – Broken or poorly maintained stairs, missing handrails, or inadequate lighting on staircases can lead to a serious accident
• Insufficient Lighting – Inadequate illumination and lighting in walkways, staircases, parking lots, or other areas can make it difficult for individuals to see potential hazards and increase the risk of slips, trips, and falls
• Obstacles or Debris on Walkways – improperly secured cables or cords, accumulated debris, fallen leaves, objects, equipment, or clutter left in walkways or aisles can obstruct safe movement and lead to falls
• Lack of Proper Signage or Warnings – failing to provide clear and visible warning signs about potential hazards, such as wet floors, construction zones, or uneven surfaces, can contribute to slip and fall accidents
• Lack of Safety Measures – inadequate installation or lack of safety measures, such as handrails, non-slip surfaces, or proper lighting

Liable Parties

To recover from a slip and fall injury received on another’s property, a liable party must exist whose carelessness resulted in the harm. Property owners who are proven to be negligent must be held accountable for the fall accident. If you have been involved in a slip and fall accident, it is essential to consult with a Massachusetts slip & fall attorney who can assess the circumstances, evaluate liability, and guide you through the legal process to seek compensation for your injuries and damages.

Commercial Property

To be legally liable for injuries sustained on another’s property as a result of slipping or tripping and falling, the property owner of a shop, restaurant, or other company (or an employee of the business):

• Must have been responsible for bringing the spill, worn or torn spot, or other slippery or dangerous surface or item underfoot.
• Must have been aware of the dangerous condition but did nothing about it, or 
• Should have known of the dangerous surface because a “reasonable” person caring for the property would have discovered and removed or repaired it.

The third case is the most prevalent and the most ambiguous. In these instances, liability is determined by common sense. The law evaluates whether an owner or occupant of the property was prudent by deciding whether the efforts to secure the property were reasonable.

In slip & fall lawsuits involving commercial property, various persons or companies may be held liable for an individual’s injuries.

Residential Property

Landlords may also be held accountable for slip and fall accidents sustained on rented property in residential settings. For a landlord to become liable for an accident, a tenant must establish the following:

• The landlord had control over the condition that caused the slip and fall.
• Correcting the condition would not have been prohibitively expensive or complicated.
• A serious injury was a foreseeable result of failing to correct the condition; and, 
• The landlord’s failure to take reasonable precautions to avoid an accident resulted in the tenant’s slip and fall injury.

Public Premise

Specific requirements apply when slip and fall accidents that result in serious injury happen on government-owned land. Specifically, there are rigorous notification requirements and extensive immunity rules that may absolve government institutions of accountability for accidents on their premises.

Proving Liability in a Slip and Fall Claim

Slip and fall incidents are one of the leading causes of hospitalization that may entail substantial medical bills. In slip and fall cases, we must establish that the property owner was negligent. Establishing liability is crucial in determining who should be held accountable for the accident and who is responsible for compensating the injured party. Our MA slip & fall lawyer can help you determine who could be legally responsible for your injuries.  

The Property Was in a Perilous State

There are many questions to consider after suffering an injury due to a careless landowner. Massachusetts law requires landowners to ensure that their properties are in good condition for various individuals. If a property owner invites people to the premises for a business reason, these individuals are characterized as invitees, and they are owed the highest duty of care. 

Landowners must generally repair or warn about any known dangerous conditions and make reasonable and recurring inspections of their properties. When it comes to social guests like friends and family, a property owner must repair or warn about any dangerous conditions they know or should have known after a reasonable inspection.

The Landowner Was Aware of the Property’s State

In some slip and fall cases, the landowner creates a hazardous condition. Any evidence showing that the landowner contributed to a slippery surface is useful to a slip & fall attorney in Boston who is trying to establish liability. If you can show that the landowner knew about the defect but failed to take appropriate action, that can also be compelling. Common locations where slip and fall accidents occur include supermarkets, shopping centers, restaurants, nightclubs, hotels or motels, and apartment complexes.

Our Massachusetts personal injury attorneys understand that establishing fault in slip and fall incidents may be challenging. We are to help you, and we have what it takes to get you the compensation you deserve. Schedule a consultation with our Boston personal injury lawyer today!

The Liable Party’s Carelessness Caused Your Injuries

After you show that the defendant owed you a duty of care but failed to maintain the premises according to this duty, you must show that this failure was the direct cause of your injuries. You must also show that the types of injuries that you sustained were a foreseeable outcome of the defendant’s negligent upkeep of the property. This often requires your Boston slip and fall attorney to consult with an experienced expert witness who can testify about the accident and how the defendant was ultimately responsible for it. 

Getting Compensated 

The final phase of the matter involves determining the amount of compensation you are entitled to receive. There are many items of compensation that you can potentially request from a defendant. The main category that victims seek is compensation for past and future medical bills. This is especially important if your injury results in long-term disabilities or conditions that will require ongoing medical care. You can also seek compensation for missed wages and any reduction in earning capacity that stems from permanent or long-term disabilities. Moreover, if your significant other is affected by your injuries, they can bring a loss of consortium claim to seek compensation for the loss of your companionship and support. Speak with a premises liability lawyer today to learn more about ensuring that you receive the maximum compensation you deserve.

Why Do Accident Victims Need a Massachusetts Slip & Fall Attorney? 

Massachusetts premises liability law requires all residential, commercial, and public property owners to maintain their properties, offer a safe environment for visitors, and appropriately warn them of any dangerous situations.

When a slip and fall accident happens due to the property owner’s careless attitude in maintaining the property or correcting a hazardous situation, the owner may be held accountable in a premises liability case. Given the difficulties inherent in claiming damages after an accident, it is prudent to retain the services of an experienced injury attorney to handle your injury claim.

You deserve reasonable compensation for your suffering, whether you or a loved one were hurt in an accident. Pursue damages! You deserve compensation for lost wages, medical expenses, emotional distress, and other types of pain. Put your trust in our legal team to assist you in obtaining the medical and financial resources necessary for recovery.

Our injury attorneys are here to help ease your pain and suffering. We usually get a favorable verdict each time we represent a client. Consult with a reliable personal injury attorney in Boston, MA. Hire a lawyer from The Law Offices of Barry Feinstein & Affiliates P.C. today!

Get Advice from a Tenacious Slip and Fall Lawyer in Boston

Slip and fall accidents in Massachusetts can have devastating consequences, leading to injuries, medical expenses, and emotional distress. Understanding the legal landscape surrounding slip and fall accidents is crucial for protecting your rights and seeking compensation. If you were injured in a slip and fall accident and believe that you are entitled to compensation, our personal injury law firm is ready to assist you with your claim. There are many issues to consider, and having the experience and knowledge of a seasoned trial lawyer on your side can make a major difference in how your claim progresses. 

At the Law Offices of Barry Feinstein & Affiliates P.C., we have extensive experience in handling slip and fall accidents and other personal injury cases. Our MA slip & fall lawyers possess in-depth knowledge of MA laws and regulations, allowing us to navigate the complexities of your case with precision. We will meticulously evaluate your case, gather compelling evidence, and develop a strategic approach tailored to your unique circumstances. We will tenaciously negotiate with insurance companies, ensuring that you receive the full and fair compensation you deserve.

Don’t let the pain of a slip & fall accident define your future. Our personal injury law firm is here to shoulder the legal burden for you and fight passionately on your behalf. We serve people in the areas around Boston, Cambridge, Waltham, Lowell, Newton, Somerville, Quincy, Dedham, Norwood, Brookline, and Peabody. To schedule a free consultation with a personal injury or wrongful death attorney, call us or contact us online.