Sometimes a slip and fall in a public setting is more than just an embarrassing moment, but a life-altering event that spins your life off-course. Slip and fall and trip and fall accidents are the second-leading cause of traumatic brain injuries and the leading cause of workplace accidents. When your slip and fall accident happens because of someone else’s negligence, you don’t have to be left with the burden of expenses as well as the painful injury and lengthy recovery period.
Call the Colorado Springs slip and fall attorneys at the law firm of Dulin McQuinn Young for experienced legal counsel to help obtain the maximum compensation available to you.
Why You Should Choose Dulin McQuinn Young as Your Slip and Fall Attorneys in Colorado Springs
Insurance companies commonly dispute slip and fall claims and assign injury victims a portion of the blame. As Colorado slip and fall lawyers at Dulin McQuinn Young, we have over 20 years of experience building compelling cases for our clients to achieve the highest possible settlement or court award for their damages. We offer significant advantages in Colorado slip and fall cases, including the following:
- Free consultations to evaluate the merits of your case and a response within 24 hours
- Our Colorado Springs personal injury lawyers operate on a contingency-based payment method so you pay nothing until after we secure your settlement or win your case in court
- We promote a client-centered approach with individual strategies tailored to the unique requirements of every case
- Our history of satisfied clients and multi-million dollar settlements and verdicts puts a powerful voice behind your claim
Slip and fall cases fall under the category of premises liability. A successful slip and fall compensation claim in Colorado Springs requires skilled handling by attorneys with an in-depth understanding of insurance companies and access to the best resources and on-call medical experts. Our recent notable results include a recent $771,000 jury verdict in a premises liability case against a major hardware store chain.
Common Causes of Slip and Fall Accidents in Colorado Springs
Falls occur when there is an interruption in the normal footfall, throwing the walker off balance. Common causes of slip and fall with serious injuries include:
- Uneven ground and potholes
- Wet or slippery floors
- Icy walkways
- Debris or clutter on the floor or ground
- Loose floor mats and carpets
- Curled carpets
- Cracked or broken floorboards
- Cracked or broken sidewalks and walkways
- Unmarked floor-level changes (step-downs and step-ups)
- Dangling power cords
When a fall hazard exists in a commercial business or on private property, the property owner or manager has a duty to identify the safety hazard and promptly address and repair it to prevent injury to those lawfully on the property. When slip and fall cases go to court, a jury is often instructed to consider whether a reasonable property owner or business manager would have acted the same in similar circumstances. If the answer is no, then the defendant failed to take the reasonable actions necessary to prevent harm and is liable for consequences to the victim—their damages in a premises liability case.
What Types of Injuries Happen in Slip and Fall Accidents?
When there is an interruption in a person’s gait due to a slippery floor surface or uneven ground, the result can be a slip, a sudden loss of balance, and a fall, often with a forceful impact on the floor or ground. In some cases, the fall victim strikes other objects as they fall or their body or limbs twist out of position, causing significant bodily trauma. Common injuries in slip and fall accidents in Colorado Springs include the following:
- Head injuries/traumatic brain injuries
- Broken bones
- Back injuries
- Neck injuries
- Knee Injuries
- Wrist injuries
- Shoulder injuries
- Ankle injuries
- Facial and dental trauma
- Spinal cord injuries
- Cuts, bruises, and abrasions
Hip fractures are common injuries to elderly fall victims, often causing significantly diminished quality of life.
Where Do Most Slip and Fall Accidents Occur?
When a business invites consumers onto commercial property, they have an obligation to to take all reasonable precautions to prevent slip and fall injuries and other accidents. Unfortunately, some property owners and business managers neglect to address known safety hazards in a timely manner and the result is a painful injury to someone lawfully on the property, with temporary or permanent life-altering consequences. Slip and fall accident claims commonly arise in places such as the following:
- Stores
- Swimming pools
- Workplaces
- Parking lots
- Restaurants
- Cafes
- Bars
- Restrooms
- Hospitals
- Hotels
- Escalators
- Elevators
When a property owner or business manager knows a slip and fall hazard exists, or should have known through reasonable diligence, they have a duty to warn visitors and promptly correct the problem. A successful slip and fall claim in Colorado Springs requires providing compelling evidence that the property owner was aware of the hazard and failed to take action.
What Damages Can I Recover After a Slip and Fall Accident?
Injuries are expensive as well as painful. Even relatively minor, completely recoverable injuries can cause temporary financial hardship through a single missed paycheck and emergency room bill. More severe injuries can impact the victim’s ability to return to work and accomplish daily routines. Some cause permanent disability. A successful slip and fall injury claim can recover some or all of the following damages:
- Medical expenses and any future medical costs related to the injury
- Past and future income loss
- Diminished future earning capacity (for disability)
- Compensation for pain and suffering
In some cases, other non-economic damages apply such as lowered life quality, disfigurement compensation, or loss of enjoyment of life.
Do I Have to Go to Court for a Slip and Fall Accident Case in Colorado?
Premises liability claims after a slip and fall accident are typically resolved through claims against the property owner’s liability insurance. Nearly 95% of these claims end with a settlement from the insurance company. An attorney from Dulin McQuinn Young will document evidence to make a compelling case and then negotiate from a position of strength with the insurance company to obtain the largest possible settlement. If the case isn’t resolved with an ample settlement or the insurer disputes, delays, or denies a valid claim, we are more than ready to take the matter to court in a lawsuit. Our experienced trial lawyers provide well-executed litigation and have a track record of winning large jury awards for clients.
Call the Colorado Springs Slip and Fall Lawyers at Dulin McQuinn Young
The results of your slip and fall accident claim are critical. Don’t leave your future up to chance. Instead, choose a law firm with the experience to strategize the best way forward. Call the Colorado Springs slip and fall lawyers who get results for their clients. At Dulin McQuinn Young, we are ready to help. Contact our firm to schedule your free consultation.