New Orleans Slip and Fall Lawyer

Slip and Fall Attorney in New Orleans, LA

Slip and fall accidents in New Orleans are a common issue that many people face. Property owners have a duty to keep their areas safe, and when they fail to do this, injuries can occur. If you have been hurt in a slip-and-fall accident, consulting with our New Orleans slip and fall lawyer can help you understand your legal options and guide you through the process.

Hammond Law Firm, LLC, is a firm of experienced personal injury lawyers. We are dedicated to providing accurate legal guidance with compassion and personal support, so filing a claim doesn’t become overwhelming. We understand how difficult it is to recover from a slip and fall accident, which is why we use our years of trial experience to negotiate for the full recovery you deserve after an accident.

An Overview of Slip and Fall Accidents in New Orleans

A slip-and-fall accident occurs when someone trips, slips, or falls on another person’s property, often leading to injuries. Common causes of these accidents include wet floors, poor lighting, uneven surfaces, damaged stairs, cluttered walkways, and icy conditions. Each of these hazards presents a risk, especially if property owners neglect their responsibilities.

In Louisiana, premises liability holds property owners responsible for maintaining safe environments to prevent injuries, including those from slip-and-fall accidents. Owners must regularly inspect their properties, repair hazardous conditions, and warn visitors about dangers they cannot fix immediately.

To prove negligence in a Louisiana slip and fall case, you must demonstrate that the property owner created or knew about a dangerous condition and failed to address it. This negligence must directly result in the victim suffering an injury.

Understanding Slip and Fall Accidents in Louisiana

A slip-and-fall accident occurs when someone trips, slips, or falls while on another person’s property. These accidents can happen in many places, like stores, sidewalks, or parks. In the United States, slips and falls make up 24% of all preventable injury-related deaths, highlighting the need for property owners to prevent these accidents from happening.

Property owners have a legal duty to keep their spaces safe for visitors. If they know about a problem, such as a spill on the floor or a broken step, they must fix it or at least warn people about the danger. When they fail to do this, they may be responsible for any injuries that happen.

Common Kinds of Hazards That Lead to a Slip and Fall

Slip and fall accidents in New Orleans can happen for many reasons. Some causes are more common than others. Whether you were injured in your apartment building’s stairwell or tripped over cluttered walkways in a shop along Magazine Street, it is worth speaking with a New Orleans slip and fall lawyer about your case. At Hammond Law Firm, LLC, we have helped fall victims recover after many different accidents. Some of the most common causes of falls we see are:

• Wet or slippery floors. Spills, rainwater, or newly mopped floors can make surfaces very slippery. When floors are not cleaned up or marked with warning signs, people can easily lose their footing and fall.
• Poor lighting. When areas are not well-lit, it becomes hard to see obstacles or hazards. Poor lighting in hallways, parking lots, or stairwells can lead to accidents since people can’t see where they are walking clearly.
• Uneven surfaces. Cracked sidewalks, broken tiles, or uneven flooring create tripping hazards. Even a small bump or dip in the ground can cause someone to stumble and fall.
• Damaged stairs or railings. Broken or loose stairs, handrails, or steps can lead to falls. If a railing comes loose or a step is damaged, it can cause someone to lose balance and fall.
• Cluttered walkways. Boxes, wires, or other items left in walking areas are common causes of trips and falls. Property owners need to keep walkways clear to prevent people from tripping over obstacles.
• Icy or snowy walkways. In colder areas, snow and ice can make sidewalks and driveways very slippery. Property owners are expected to clear snow or ice from their property to avoid accidents.

Common Injuries in a Slip and Fall Accident Claim

Slip and fall injuries vary depending on the fall and your health, which is why it is important to hire a slip and fall lawyer who can personalize your claim according to your unique experience and injuries. Some of the most common injuries in a slip and fall accident claim include:

• Traumatic brain injuries (TBIs). TBIs occur when the brain thrusts against the inside of the skull, which can range from mild concussions to severe brain damage, internal bleeding, and prolonged loss of consciousness. TBIs can have long-term effects on your overall health and cognitive function, with about 5.3 million Americans living with a TBI-related disability.
• Soft tissue injuries. Soft tissue injuries involve damage to tissues like the muscles, tendons, and ligaments. Not only are these injuries extremely painful, but they can also limit your mobility and lead to muscle weakness. It can take months for sprains, strains, and other soft tissue injuries to fully resolve for many fall victims.
• Spinal cord and back injuries. Falls are the leading cause of spinal cord injuries for adults over the age of 65, though experiencing spinal cord and back injuries at any age can be devastating. This type of injury includes vertebral fractures, herniated discs, and nerve damage because of the impact of the fall or sudden twisting of the spine.
• Broken bones. Bone fractures are among the most common injuries in slip and fall accidents. Many people get fractures in the wrists, arms, ribs, and ankles. Having a broken bone not only means you need intensive medical care, but it can also significantly disrupt your everyday capabilities, often leading to time off from work or assistance with everyday tasks.
• Hip and pelvis fractures. While hip and pelvis fractures are rare, falls are one of the most common accidents that can result in these injuries. This is an incredibly painful fracture that often leads to surgery and intensive physical therapy. Older adults are at a higher risk of this type of fracture.

While some injuries are immediately obvious, many injuries, such as soft tissue damage, can take time to develop. Monitor your symptoms, make notes of any changes, and receive a medical evaluation as soon as possible. Prompt medical care is not only important for your health, but it can also provide evidence to support your claim and prove that your injuries were directly related to the fall.

What You Should Do After a Slip and Fall Accident in New Orleans

A slip and fall accident can be scary and confusing. It can happen anywhere, and it can lead to serious injuries. If you find yourself in this situation in New Orleans, here are the steps you should take:

• Check for injuries and receive medical attention. Your health is the top priority. Even if you think your injuries are minor, call for medical help right away. Some injuries may not show symptoms right away. The New Orleans EMS can provide emergency care, while the Ochsner Medical Center and LCMC Health Urgent Care can also help you get treatment.
• Report the accident. Inform the property owner or manager about the accident. Give them details about what happened and where it occurred. This step creates a record of the incident, which can be important later.
• Document the accident. Take pictures of the scene, including where you fell, any hazards, and your injuries. Write down everything you remember about the accident. This information can help support your case later on.
• Gather contact information from witnesses. If anyone saw your accident, ask for their names and contact information. Witnesses can provide important statements about what happened. Their accounts can strengthen your claim if you decide to seek compensation.
• Keep a copy of all records. Save all medical records, bills, and any documents related to your accident. This includes any communication with the property owner or their insurance company. Keeping detailed records helps build your case.

What Is the Concept of Premises Liability in Louisiana?

Injuries resulting from a trip/slip and fall accident fall under the broader legal realm of premises liability in the state of Louisiana. Premises liability refers to the responsibility of the owner or manager of any type of property to establish and maintain a safe environment for those who use it. Safety hazards on premises that are not addressed and rectified on time can cause serious injuries or even death, for which victims may be entitled to substantial compensation.

Louisiana has specific laws about premises liability. Slip and fall laws say that property owners must:

• Regularly inspect their property for hazards. This means checking for things like wet floors, broken steps, or uneven surfaces.
• Repair any health or safety hazards. If a property owner finds a dangerous condition, they must fix it right away.
• Warn visitors about any dangerous conditions on the property. If a property owner can’t fix a danger right away, they must warn visitors about it.

What You Need to Prove in a Slip and Fall Claim in Louisiana

Building a strong case for a premises liability claim means we need to prove negligence on the part of the property owner. Negligence means that someone was careless and caused harm to another person. To prove negligence in a slip and fall accident in New Orleans, you must show that:

• The owner or manager of the property created the dangerous condition
• The owner or manager of the property knew or should have known that the condition existed
• The owner or manager of the property failed to correct the dangerous condition or properly warn others
• The result was that the victim suffered a personal injury

FAQs

Q: What Is the Prescriptive Period for Slip and Fall Accident Claims?

A: In Louisiana, the prescriptive period for slip and fall accidents is two years from the date of the accident. This means that you must file your legal claim within two years of the slip or fall. If you do not file your claim within a year, you may lose your right to seek compensation for your injuries.

Q: Can You Still File a Claim If You Are Partially at Fault for Falling?

A: Yes, you can still file a claim if you were partially at fault, such as by not paying attention to the walkway or by walking while under the influence. Louisiana follows a modified comparative negligence rule. This means that you can still recover damages even if you were partially at fault for your injury. However, any compensation can be reduced by the percentage of your own fault in the incident.

Q: What Damages Can You Claim in a Slip and Fall Case?

A: Louisiana’s slip and fall laws protect your ability to recover any actual, measurable damages you have suffered due to the accident. This commonly includes economic damages such as lost wages, medical bills, or property damage, and non-economic damages like pain and suffering. A New Orleans slip and fall attorney can include a comprehensive list of your damages in your claim.

Q: Why Should You Hire a Slip and Fall Lawyer?

A: A New Orleans slip and fall lawyer can provide legal guidance and representation to build a claim that is founded on evidence and personalized to your injury. A lawyer can gather evidence such as witness statements, medical records, photos of the accident scene, and maintenance logs to prove your injury was the result of a property owner’s negligence. They can also work directly with you, explaining each step of the legal process.

Reach Out to an Experienced New Orleans Slip and Fall Attorney for Guidance

Slip and fall accidents in New Orleans can cause emotional distress as well as physical injuries. The impact of an accident can last long after the fall. By seeking legal advice from our New Orleans personal injury lawyer, you can get peace of mind knowing that your case is in good hands.

At Hammond Law Group LLC, we can help you know your rights and what steps to take after a slip and fall accident. We help you gather evidence to support your claim. We can handle all the paperwork and communicate with the insurance companies on your behalf. We can assist victims in seeking fair compensation for their injuries, including lost wages, pain and suffering, medical expenses, rehabilitation therapy, and much more.

If your case goes to court, our personal injury law firm can represent you.

Don’t let a slip-and-fall accident ruin your life. If you or someone you know suffered a traumatic brain injury (TBI), spinal cord injury (SCI), or any other type of injury from a slip and fall case, contact us now for a free consultation and learn more about your legal options.