Our team at McKay Law has gathered several liability factors that will affect your slip and fall case. Let’s have a look at them together.
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Liability Factor 1: Conditions on the Premises When You Fell
- What type of surface did you fall on? Was there a defect in the surface? Was the defect obvious?
- Was the fall the result of a slippery substance? Can the substance be identified?
- Did the fall involve an uneven surface, steep grade, steep stairs, or similar defect? The actual grade, height of stairs, and other appropriate measurements must be taken.
- What was the lighting level at the time of the fall? Was lighting a factor?
- What were the weather conditions at the time of the fall? Did the weather play any role?
- Were any warnings posted about the defect? Where were they posted? If none were posted, could warnings have prevented your fall?
- Did conditions on the property causing the fall violates a statute, ordinance, or other regulation?
Liability Factor 2: Complaints, Prior Incidents, and Subsequent Repairs
- Had any similar incidents occurred on the property previously?
- Did anyone make complaints to the owner or other responsible party about the defective condition before your fall?
- Were warnings posted or repairs made to the area after your fall? Although evidence of repair is often not admissible in court, the repair is very compelling in promoting settlement.
Liability Factor 3: Responsible Parties and Insurance
- Was the property occupied by the owner or tenants?
- Do any leases or agreements alter which party is responsible for the maintenance of the property?
- Do the property owners/tenants have adequate liability insurance?
Liability Factor 4: Witnesses and Reports
- Were there any witnesses to the incident? Will they testify that the fall was caused by the conditions on the property or that the fall was your fault?
- Can any witnesses testify as to whether the owner or responsible party knew, or should have known, about the defect that caused your fall?
- Have the defendant’s representatives or employees on the premises made statements admit- ting fault?
- Was there an official investigation, and were its results favorable or unfavorable?
Liability Factor 5: Your Condition and Circumstances
- Had you consumed any alcoholic beverage within eight hours before the incident? If so, what did you drink and how much? Can anyone testify as to your condition just before the fall?
- What were you doing immediately prior to the incident? Paying attention? Talking? Carrying something? Looking the other way?
- What was your mental state at the time of the incident? Could it have caused inattention or inadvertence?
- Were you wearing any clothing or footwear that could have contributed to the fall, such as a long skirt, high heels, or sandals?
- Do you still have the clothes and footwear you were wearing? Can a slippery substance, such as oil or grease, be found on them?
- Do you have a physical impairment that could have contributed to your fall? A physical impairment or physical disability could increase or decrease the value of your case depending on whether the owner of the premises is on notice that people with impairments visit or use the premises.
- Did you take any medications or other drugs that could have affected your alertness, such as sleeping pills, tranquilizers, barbiturates, or illegal substances?
- Why were you on the premises? Courts in some states treat people differently depending on whether they were on the premises for social purposes, business purposes, or as trespassers.
- Were you injured on your employer’s premises while working? If so, workers’ compensation may be your primary or only source of recovery.
Contact a Proven Premises Liability Lawyer in East Texas Today!
For premises liability cases, McKay Law is the law firm you should think of, especially if you live in East Texas. Call us today if you believe you have a premises liability case and we will check for liability factors for you.
Also, if you were injured on someone else’s property and you think you may have a premises liability claim, contact Lindsey McKay at McKay Law at (903) INJURED, (903) 999-2653 or submit your case for a free case review. McKay Law wins the best results for our injured clients.
