Anyone, regardless of their age and physical fitness, can fall and injure themselves. Whether the incident happened at the Downtown Mall or on a public sidewalk at UVA, the consequences can be severe. Due to the injuries resulting from such an accident, you may not be able to work or earn an income.

While some slip and fall incidents are due to natural phenomena, others are likely due to someone’s negligence. No one should suffer because someone did not do their job correctly or take necessary precautionary measures. If this has happened to you, a Charlottesville slip and fall lawyer from MichieHamlett can explain your legal options. Our seasoned personal injury attorneys represent you with skill and compassion as you pick up the pieces after a devastating event.

Factors Contributing to Slip and Fall Accidents

Common hazards contributing to slip and fall accidents include the following, among others:

  • Wet floors without signs indicating their condition
  • Obstacles, debris, or clutter placed in the path of pedestrians
  • Uneven, broken, or cratered walkways
  • Upturned edges or corners of carpet and rugs
  • Poor or inadequate lighting
  • Weak or broken handrails
  • Adverse weather conditions, such as snow and black ice
  • Poorly visible holes, particularly in backyards or other grassy areas

Identifying the cause of the fall is usually the first step in building a case and filing an injury claim. An attorney in Charlottesville will examine the events leading to a victim’s slip and fall by reviewing available evidence and other necessary data to identify a timeline.

Common Injuries in Slip and Fall Incidents

Falls can lead to catastrophic injuries, particularly among the elderly. In fact, reports indicate that many trips to the emergency unit in hospitals are due to falls. In slip and fall cases, our Charlottesville attorneys often see injuries such as:

If the fall is from a much greater height—such as when someone slips and falls off a balcony or down a flight of stairs—the victim could lose their life due to the severity of the injuries, leading to a wrongful death claim.

Assigning Fault in a Slip and Fall Case

Identifying the person whose negligence led to the victim’s fall is a crucial aspect of successfully filing and receiving compensation in a slip and fall injury claim. The typical culprits for these types of cases are property owners or landlords, the property manager or supervisor, the business owner, HOAs, grounds maintenance personnel, company staff, and contractors. Our attorney can investigate a slip and fall case to determine who may be responsible.

What Compensation Can an Injured Victim Pursue?

We help claimants seek compensation that covers their medical expenses, lost income, and other additional losses resulting from the slip and fall incident. They may also seek compensation for PTSD, pain and suffering, and emotional distress. If the negligent party displayed especially egregious or gross misconduct that resulted in the victim’s fall, the court may also award punitive damages.

If the victim succumbs to their injuries and passes on, their surviving family members may be eligible to receive death benefits through a wrongful death lawsuit. However, please note that an injury claim can be denied if a victim does not seek medical help within 48 hours of the incident.

Get Legal Help From a Slip and Fall Attorney in Charlottesville

Slip and fall incidents are largely preventable, but unfortunately, people frequently suffer injury in this way because of someone else’s carelessness. At MichieHamlett, we are committed to helping you get paid for the losses you incurred due to your fall.

Let our skilled Charlottesville slip and fall lawyer help you file your claim, pursue your compensation, negotiate a substantial settlement, and collect the money you need. Call us for a free consultation to discuss your case.