Eugene Slip and Fall Attorneys

How Slip and Fall Lawyers in Eugene, OR, Can Help

Slip and fall accident cases can be difficult since fault must be determined and negligence must be attributed. They are also complex if the accident happened at a rental property, such as an apartment complex. More than one person could be liable for your injuries.

As part of the investigation into your case, your Eugene slip and fall lawyer will gather evidence, negotiate with the other party, talk with insurance companies, and navigate the legal system for you.

Types of Slip and Fall Accidents

The experienced Eugene, OR, slip and fall lawyers at Strong Accident & Injury Attorneys handle all types of slip and fall accidents caused by hazardous conditions. One way you can help document your case is to take photos of what made you trip or slip and fall. You will need this proof to move forward with settlement negotiations or litigation.

In many cases, the condition of the property that caused your accident disappears. The weather could melt the ice of a walkway, someone could inadvertently destroy the evidence, or the defendant could remove or repair the hazardous condition, leaving you without proof.

There are many ways that slip and fall accidents can happen. Understanding the types of premises accident is part of how we can understand the event in total. Common forms of slip and fall accidents include, but are not limited to:

• Defective Conditions: broken steps, handrails, etc.
• Foreign Objects: obstructions, trip hazards, etc.
• Surrounding Conditions: wet floors, poor lighting, etc.

Other factors that investigators could find that might help your case include a history of accidents at the location, prior lawsuits, negative inspection and/or safety reports, noncompliance with building codes, surveillance videos, a flooring’s friction coefficient, and a business’s procedures for the inspection and cleanup of spills.

Finally, the length of time the condition was present also plays a role in determining whether a property owner was negligent. For example, if someone broke a glass of liquid seconds before you slipped in it and fell, the chances of a manager or owner learning of it and having a chance to clean it up are not good.

The property owner or an employee must have a chance to rectify the hazardous condition before it becomes negligent.

What to Do After a Slip and Fall Accident

You can help a Eugene slip and fall accident lawyer by starting case documentation if your injuries permit. After a trip or slip and fall accident, take photos of the accident scene. Be sure to show what made you slip, whether liquid on the floor, an uneven walkway, an icy walkway or parking lot, a broken step, etc.

Also, when you are injured in a slip and fall accident, the first thing you should do is notify the most immediate, responsible party. If that is a part-time manager, then you need to collect enough information to contact the owner/employer, or whoever is ultimately responsible for the location. You should record the area where the incident took place and your injuries as fully as possible. Then seek medical care at the earliest opportunity.

Document the details of the incident for yourself – this is in addition to the incident report. It will help you remember what happened when you must tell your attorney about the incident. Document all details, such as what you tripped over or slipped on, whether there were signs warning you of the danger, and, if there were, where the signs were located.

If possible, take photos of your visible injuries. Ask any witnesses for their contact information and a statement.

Finally, seek medical assistance, even if you believe your injuries are minor. This is a step in documenting the incident, and even minor injuries could become more serious. Additionally, some injuries might not manifest for hours or even a day or two.

Do Not Give Any Statements

The establishment’s insurance company might call you. If so, do not make any statements, conduct any conversations, or give any testimony that could be considered evidence. And do not post about the incident on social media. Insurance companies troll social media accounts to use your activities against you. Even going out to dinner with your spouse or friends could be used by the insurance company to convince itself and a jury that your injuries were not that serious and that you do not deserve the amount you are asking for.

Contact a legal representative at the earliest opportunity and let your Slip and fall attorney do the talking for you.

Common Trip or Slip and Fall Injuries

Slipping and falling can result in any type of injury. The nature of the injury will depend on the intensity of the fall and your immediate surroundings when it takes place. Remember, the nature, effects, and appearance of your injuries are all evidence that should be well and thoroughly documented.

You might fall and catch yourself, but not before pulling a muscle, or you might fall and hit your head on a sharp corner or bounce your head on the floor.

Injuries might include:

• Scratches, scrapes, and cuts
• Bumps and bruises
• Road rash
• Strains and sprains
• Pulled and torn muscles or other soft tissue injuries
• Face and eye injuries
• Simple or compound fractures
• Crush injuries
• Head, neck, and shoulder injuries
• Traumatic brain injuries
• Back and spinal cord injuries
• Internal injuries.

You could also suffer from secondary injuries, such as infections, especially if you have a compromised immune system. Additionally, fall injuries could exacerbate preexisting conditions and illnesses. The defendant is responsible for the additional medical expenses and pain and suffering from secondary injuries and exacerbated pre-existing conditions as you would not have otherwise had the expenses and pain if not for the defendant’s negligence.

Frequently Asked Questions for Slip and Fall Lawyers in Eugene, OR

Can I sue after a trip or slip and fall accident?

Yes. However, you must report the incident immediately. You must also know what caused you to trip or slip and fall.

Do I have to make an accident report right after I slip and fall?

Yes. The incident report documents the incident before the defendant can rectify the situation. Photos also help prove that a dangerous condition existed. If you do not make an incident report, you will have a challenging time proving your case.

Should I speak with insurance company representatives?

Ideally, your slip and fall lawyer will do this for you. Insurance companies will look for ways to reduce or deny payment. Therefore, you need to be represented by a professional who speaks their language.

What is a dangerous condition?

A hazardous condition is when something on a property can cause harm. Oregon requires all property owners to keep their properties free and clear of hazardous conditions or, at the very least, to notify guests of those conditions. For example, a wet floor should have “wet floor” signs around the area that are clearly visible and that are not positioned in such a way that you trip over the sign.

How long do I have to file a trip or slip and fall lawsuit?

You have up to two years in most cases to take legal action for a trip or slip and fall accident. However, we recommend you speak to a Eugene slip and fall attorney as soon as possible. You are more likely to remember what happened if you do not wait. Additionally, evidence has a way of disappearing, whether inadvertently or purposely.

How much is my trip or slip and fall case worth?

The compensation you deserve depends on the circumstances of the incident. More severe injuries or death are worth more compensation. You could recover medical expenses, lost wages, loss of future earning capacity, and funeral and burial costs. If your injuries are severe or you lost a loved one because of a slip and fall accident, you could also recover pain and suffering, emotional distress, loss of quality of life, loss of companionship and/or consortium, and inconvenience.

If your injuries caused excessive scarring, disfigurement, or amputation, you could also recover additional compensation.

How do I pay medical expenses until I receive my settlement or trial award?

You can use your health insurance to cover medical expenses. When you receive your settlement or trial award, you reimburse the health insurance company. We can write a letter to the insurance company asking them to defer payment until you receive a settlement or trial award.