Losing your footing when you are not expecting to can lead to serious and long-lasting injuries, especially if you are a young child, elderly adult, or already dealing with a chronic physical condition that limits mobility. On top of this, filing suit over a trip and fall accident and getting reimbursed for your injury-related losses can be much more complicated than you might expect.
Fortunately, you have help available to you from dedicated personal injury attorneys who have handled cases like yours successfully in the past. With a seasoned Reno slip and fall lawyer from Shook & Stone on your side, you could have much better chances than you would ever likely have on your own of effectively enforcing your rights and obtaining the compensation you deserve.
What Makes a Landowner Liable for a Slip and Fall?
One important thing to understand about slip and fall lawsuits and premises liability law, in general, is that landowners are not automatically liable for any injury another person suffers while on their land. Instead, the specific “duty of care”—meaning the expectation of reasonable and responsible behavior—that landowners are expected to meet changes depending on each specific visitor’s purpose for visiting their property, as well as whether that visitor is legally allowed to be there in the first place.
In general, though, landowners are expected to warn all lawful visitors about any slipping or tripping hazards which they—the landowner—are already aware of. Most of the time, landowners also have to regularly inspect their land, so they can discover new hazards quickly and fix them within a reasonable amount of time. A landowner who “breaches” this duty in such a way that it directly leads to someone slipping or tripping and falling may hold civil liability for any injuries stemming directly from that fall, as our qualified Reno slip and fall attorneys could explain in more detail.
Recovering Fairly for All Available Damages
Both economic and non-economic forms of harm can be factored into a comprehensive lawsuit or settlement demand built around a slipping or tripping accident, including:
- Medical expenses
- Personal property loss/damage
- Lost work income and/or working capacity
- Physical pain and discomfort
- Emotional trauma and suffering
- Lost overall quality/enjoyment of life
The specific damages that a particular person will be able to seek restitution for will vary depending on the nature and severity of their injuries, so no two slip and fall claims will be exactly alike. Additionally, in accordance with Nevada Revised Statutes § 41.141, any amount of “comparative fault” which a fall victim is found to hold for causing their own injuries through their own irresponsible actions may be held against them as a proportional reduction from their final damage award or may even result in their case being thrown out. At Shook & Stone, our seasoned trip and fall attorneys in Reno could provide vital assistance in proving an injured person’s damages and refuting any allegations of shared fault.
Seek Help From a Reno Slip and Fall Attorney Today
Accidental falls can and do cause life-altering trauma across the state of Nevada every single year. If a slipping or tripping accident recently left you with serious injuries and losses, taking legal action against the owner of the property where your accident occurred may be your best means of protecting your financial security and personal best interests.
Guidance from a Reno slip and fall lawyer can make a world of difference in how efficiently your case proceeds and whether it ultimately has an outcome in your favor. Call Shook & Stone today to learn more.
