There you are, happily walking along, when suddenly, before you sense what’s actually happening, you find yourself flat on your back on the ground! Maybe you tripped on a broken sidewalk or slipped on ice. Once you pick yourself up and brush yourself off, you realize you’ve twisted an ankle or sprained your wrist. Now what? Are you responsible for the medical bills and loss of wages you’ll suffer if you have to miss work?
Often, people believe if they fall on someone else’s property and sustain an injury, the property owner is liable for all expenses. In reality, a finding of negligence on the part of the owner is needed to determine liability. Obviously, property owners have a responsibility to maintain their area to reduce the risk of injuries, but perfect conditions are not always realistic.
For instance, the American Educational Institute discusses the Accumulation Rule vs. Reasonable Care. Essentially, in the instance of snow and ice, as long as the landowner uses reasonable care to maintain safe conditions on their property, they cannot be found liable for slip and fall accidents. In other words, natural accumulation of snow and ice is not considered a show of negligence leading to liability. Clearly, the burden of proof rests on the injured person, and it is difficult, if not impossible, to win a claim alone.
Fortunately, you are not alone. D’Agostino and Associates P.C., “The Injury Firm,” will thoroughly investigate your claim to determine the true cause of your accident. Our investigations include detailed photographs of the location, surveillance, and interviewing potential witnesses. If there is negligence involved, we will bring it to light.
If you have sustained a trip and fall injury for which you believe the landowner is liable, contact us to discuss what we can do for you. Seeking justice for the wrongly injured is our business.