Slip-and-Fall Accidents in Public Places of Business in Oregon
Although many business owners are conscientious about maintaining a safe environment, accidents do happen. If you fall and get hurt in a store or another public place, you may be able to recover compensation for your medical bills, lost wages, pain and suffering, and other damages. At Johnson and Taylor, our slip and fall lawyers have years of experience representing clients in all types of premises liability cases. We’re dedicated to helping make things right for injured victims and their families throughout Oregon.
Determining Liability for Slip-and-Fall Accidents
Business and property owners have an obligation to take reasonable care to keep their premises safe for customers, employees, and other visitors. It’s important to determine which parties may be liable for damages, depending on the circumstances. For example, If you slip or trip due to a structural issue with the building such as uneven flooring or stairs, your claim would likely be against the landlord or property owner.
If you fall because of something that the business owner or tenant did (or did not do), then your claim would be brought against the business owner. For instance, if a freshly waxed floor at a store has no warning signs displayed and you slip and injure yourself, the store owner could be liable for damages. Our premises liability lawyers thoroughly investigate your claim and determine who may be liable for your injuries.
Proving Negligence in Slip-and-Fall Cases
Just because you slip and fall in a public business, it doesn’t mean the business or property owner is automatically liable for your injuries. You must prove the owner or an employee was negligent or didn’t practice care to protect you from the hazard that caused you to become injured, and that they knew or should reasonably have known about the unsafe condition. In addition, you may have to show that the unsafe condition was not so obvious that you should have taken steps to avoid it. Proving negligence can be challenging to do on your own if you aren’t familiar with the nuances of personal injury law. Our slip-and-fall accident attorneys know how to determine and prove fault and fight to help you recover the maximum compensation to which you may be entitled.
What to Do If You’re Injured in a Public Place
Seek Medical Attention
After an accident, your top priority should be safeguarding your well-being. If you’ve fallen and believe you have suffered a serious back or neck injury, it may be important not to move. Call 911 and wait for paramedics to arrive. If you can get up and walk, make sure to head to the ER or doctor as soon as possible if needed. Symptoms of serious injuries may not appear right away, so it’s best to get checked out by a medical professional so you can receive any treatment you may need. Medical records also provide valuable documentation of the accident and your injuries should you decide to pursue a personal injury claim.
Gather Evidence
If you are able, take photos of the scene and your injuries. Ask any witnesses if they saw what happened and get their contact information. Make sure to keep any clothing or other items that you had on you at the time of the accident. Note whether any surveillance cameras may have captured the accident.
Notify the Owner or Management
Find a manager or owner and report your accident to them. Many businesses require employees to fill out official incident reports, which can end up being important evidence in personal injury claims. Provide information about what happened, but do not admit fault. Make sure to get a copy of the report before you leave and do not admit fault or go into too much detail about your injuries. Note what the employee tells you and write down his or her contact information.
Speak to a Salem Slip-and-Fall Lawyer
If you or a loved one is injured at a place of business or in another public space, it’s crucial to contact a slip-and-fall attorney as soon as you can. Our premises liability lawyers will evaluate your case at no charge and advise you of your options for recovering compensation. If you’ve lost a loved one due to a property or business owner’s negligence, we may be able to help you file a wrongful death claim.
Often, people believe the best way to find a good personal injury lawyer is to go with a large firm that promises large settlements. Our team knows that it’s more important to find an attorney who is honest and realistic about how much compensation you may be able to recover. Our slip-and-fall lawyers won’t waste your time or money trying to reach unattainable goals and will always keep you in the loop about what’s going on with your case. We care about our clients and fight to help them recover the compensation they need and deserve to get better and move on with their lives. Our personal injury lawyers work on contingency, which means you won’t pay attorney fees unless we help you recover compensation.
Contact Our Slip-and-Fall Attorneys in Oregon
Proving negligence in a slip-and-fall case may be challenging, but you don’t have to go it alone. Our personal injury lawyers at Johnson and Taylor are here for you. If you’ve been injured at a business or in another public place, call us at 503-990-6641 or contact us to schedule a free consultation. Johnson and Taylor litigates personal injury, divorce and family law and estate planning and probate cases. Our personal injury lawyers serve clients in Salem, Eugene, Bend, the Oregon Coast, Medford, and throughout the entire state of Oregon.