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Have you been hurt in a slip and fall accident at a store, hotel, resort, or virtually any other property in Virginia? From traumatic brain injuries to spinal cord damage, these accidents can have devastating, life-altering consequences.
You may be entitled to recover damages for medical expenses and similar losses if your injuries resulted from a property owner’s negligence. At Regan Zambri Long, a Virginia slip and fall lawyer can help you better understand your rights. We can also handle your case while you focus on other priorities during your recovery. Property owners have a responsibility to maintain safe conditions and warn visitors of potential hazards. If they failed to meet these obligations and you were injured, you deserve full and fair recovery for your losses. Our experienced attorneys will thoroughly investigate your case, document evidence, and fight to protect your interests. Get started by contacting us for a free consultation today.
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A slip and fall accident can occur virtually anywhere. Such accidents may be particularly common in the following locations:
To better understand how a slip and fall accident can occur, consider the following scenarios:
Those are just examples. Premises liability laws require property owners to take reasonable steps to prevent slip and falls. Compensation could be available if a guest is hurt because a property owner failed to address a dangerous condition in a timely manner.
Injured in a slip and fall? Contact a Virginia slip and fall injury attorney at Regan Zambri Long for a free consultation.
Slip and fall accidents can result in severe injuries that impact every aspect of your daily life. While some victims recover quickly, others face long-term medical challenges and lifestyle changes. Understanding these common injuries is crucial for recognizing when to seek both medical and legal help.
A slip and fall accident may cause such injuries as:
The injuries sustained in a slip and fall may cause immediate physical pain, but their impact often extends far beyond the initial trauma. Victims frequently experience:
At the very least, these injuries will require professional medical evaluation and treatment. Many victims need comprehensive care plans involving multiple healthcare specialists, rehabilitation services, and long-term pain management strategies.
You are an “invitee” when you have an express or implied invitation from a property owner to be on their property. For example, a shopper at a store is an invitee because the store is open to the public. Typically, the invitee’s reason for visiting a given property will theoretically benefit the property owner, such as shopping at their store.
A licensee is someone visiting a property for their own benefit, usually for a social or personal reason. They still typically have implied permission to be on the property. A common example of a licensee is a party guest.
The duty of care a property owner owes to an invitee is greater than what they owe to a licensee. For example, a store owner should actively address a dangerous condition to guard against injuries to invitees. For licensees, they may only need to warn of such conditions.
It’s also worth noting that both invitees and licensees have certain responsibilities. For example, it may be difficult to recover compensation after a slip and fall accident if a victim was injured because they were paying more attention to their phone than to their surroundings.
Property owners owe a minimal duty of care to trespassers. However, they can’t intentionally harm trespassers; they owe an ordinary duty of care to those who are children and those they know are on the property.
Accident victims in slip and fall cases aren’t guaranteed compensation simply because they sustained injuries requiring medical attention. Premises liability cases require victims to show they were injured because a property owner didn’t exercise the care they were owed under Virginia law.
To build a fall case, you must:
Keep in mind that Virginia is one of a few states that still follows a pure contributory negligence rule. That means if a victim’s negligence played even a tiny role in their accident, the law says they don’t deserve compensation.
For example, maybe you were injured in a slip and fall on another party’s property shortly after looking at your phone. The liable party may try to argue you can’t seek compensation because you wouldn’t have been hurt had you been paying more attention to your immediate environment.
That’s just one example of the way complex premises liability laws and related statutes can impact your case. Fortunately, you don’t have to build a fall case alone. Let our experienced Virginia personal attorneys guide you.
Immediately after a slip and fall, you should:
Except in specific circumstances, you have two years from the date of your slip and fall to file a personal injury lawsuit in Virginia. That said, there are exceptions.
For example, if a minor is injured, the clock doesn’t start counting down on the statute of limitations until they turn 18. Similarly, the statute of limitations may be paused if a liable party leaves the state or otherwise fraudulently tries to avoid liability. Talk to our injury attorneys to understand if you claim is covered by these exceptions.
Regardless, what’s most important to remember is that taking timely action is key to preserving your right to compensation. Don’t let time run out on your claim. Reach out to our Virginia slip and fall lawyers today.
The compensation in a slip and fall case may address several economic damages from an accident. Medical bills form a significant portion of these damages, including emergency room visits, surgeries, rehabilitation services, prescription medications, medical devices, and ongoing treatment costs. Lost wages can be recovered for time already missed from work and reduced earning capacity if your injuries affect your ability to return to your previous position or work in the same field.
In some cases, non-economic damages may also be available. These damages recognize the profound personal impact of your injuries, including:
Although punitive damages, which serve to punish negligent parties, are rare in slip and fall cases, a jury may award them if your case goes to court and evidence shows the property owner’s conduct was particularly reckless or egregious. For example, punitive damages might be considered if a property owner repeatedly ignored serious safety hazards despite numerous complaints or previous accidents.
Our attorneys work diligently to document and prove all applicable damages, ensuring nothing is overlooked when calculating the full value of your claim. We consult with medical experts, economic specialists, and life-care planners when necessary to project future costs and impacts of your injuries.
You have certain rights when on another party’s property. If you were injured in a slip and fall you suspect resulted from a property owner’s negligence, our premises liability attorneys can offer the representation you deserve. Get started today by contacting Regan Zambri Long for a free consultation and learn more about how a Virginia slip and fall lawyer can help with your case.
