Slip and Fall Lawyer | Prepared to File Your Premises Liability Claim
The phrase “premises liability” simply means that someone is liable, or responsible, for the injuries you sustained on their premises, or property. Though suing someone for failing to ensure their property is safe may sound straightforward, the truth is, it seldom is. That is why those seeking to hold careless individuals accountable for their actions hire personal injury attorneys to fight on their behalf. If you are among the unfortunate wrongly injured, this guide is for you. Please continue reading and do not hesitate to speak with our experienced Jefferson County personal injury lawyers to learn more about premises liability lawsuits and how we can help you recover the compensation you need to get back on your feet again.
Premises Liability Cases We Handle
Here at our firm, we handle the gamut of premises liability cases involving injuries stemming from a wide range of scenarios and places, including the following:
- Sidewalks: Sidewalks frequently pose hazards to those who use them. If you’ve been injured in a trip or slip and fall accident as a result of potholes, a mis-leveled sidewalk, or otherwise, our firm is here to help.
- Supermarkets: Were you injured in a grocery store? If so, you may qualify for compensation. Speak with a skilled slip and fall lawyer from our firm so we can assess the circumstances of your injury and, from there, determine the best path forward.
- Apartments: Apartment accidents are, unfortunately, far from rare. If you believe your landlord is responsible for the injuries you’ve sustained in your apartment, our firm is here to fight for the compensation you deserve and need to heal.
- Parking Lots: We don’t tend to think of parking lots as particularly dangerous places, but unfortunately, safety hazards frequently arise, and if they aren’t remedied timely, an injured person may qualify for compensation.
- Negligent Security: It’s important for establishments to install and use security when necessary. This security can come in the form of physical security guards, such as at concerts, or digital security, such as surveillance cameras. An absence of security can lead to devastating injuries and accidents, and our firm is here to help those who’ve been injured because of it.
- Restaurants: Yet another place where an accident is far from expected. However, it happens. Some examples of restaurant negligence can include cooks or employees disregarding food allergies after being informed of them, burning customers with hot plates, or, in some cases, even giving customers food poisoning.
- Bus & Train Stations: Many of us wait for the bus or train every single day. However, these areas can become extremely dangerous when municipalities do not ensure adequate security is installed to catch/prevent crimes from occurring when they do not ensure all hazardous debris and weather-related debris is removed, and when the area is insufficiently lighted.
- Elevators & Escalators: Most of us use elevators and escalators our entire lives without ever experiencing a problem. However, if a property owner knew, or should have reasonably known, that there was a problem with the elevator/escalator and failed to have it fixed and regularly maintained, an accident happened, and you were injured, you will most likely have a valid premises liability lawsuit.
- Daycares: Though the thought of your child being harmed or injured at daycare is repulsive, the unfortunate reality is that many daycares simply fail to live up to the standard to which we hold them. Daycare employees must ensure no small objects (choking hazards) are left unattended, that children do not have access to cleaning products that they may accidentally drink, that all playground equipment is in good shape and not rusted, and that all children are adequately fed and nourished every single day. Unfortunately, daycare malpractice or abuse is far more prominent than you may think, so if you suspect something, say something. This also applies to nursing home negligence.
- Construction Sites: Construction sites, though generally regulated by OSHA guidelines, as well as responsible supervisors, often spawn serious injuries–usually the result of negligence. However, if you have been wrongly injured in a construction site accident, you should understand that generally, our firm will not sue your employer directly (this is to protect your job). Instead, we will file what is known as a third-party lawsuit, wherein we will look for all other potentially responsible parties, such as defective equipment manufacturers, property owners (via premises liability lawsuits), subcontractors, and more.
What Steps Should I Take After My Injury?
After a slip or trip and fall injury, you should do everything in your power to document the incident, if possible. This can include taking the following steps:
- Call the police.
- Gather witness contact information.
- Take pictures of the safety hazard that caused your accident.
- Notify the property owner/store manager of your injury.
- Keep copies of all medical documentation/bills pertaining to your injuries.
- Retain the services of a seasoned Birmingham slip and fall lawyer who can help you fight for the full and fair compensation to which you are entitled.
Your Initial Consultation
Our firm is here to help, no questions asked, which is why we offer 100% free initial consultations to our clients. However, before we meet, it is always best you come prepared. Personal injury lawsuits are usually document-heavy processes, and to present the best possible case on your behalf, we will need the following:
- Pictures and videos of the accident or its causes
- Your insurance information
- Any communications between you and the negligent party or their insurance company
- The police report filed at the scene of your accident
- Eyewitness contact information
- A written statement from you describing the accident
- Documents relating to your medical condition brought on by the accident, and how your medical condition or injury affects your daily life
Though, of course, you may not have access to all the aforementioned documentation, it is always best to bring as much of it as you can. Remember–the key to success is preparedness.
Statute of Limitations for Premises Liability Claims in Alabama
When people are injured in serious accidents, they are granted a certain amount of time to take legal action. This timeframe is known as the statute of limitations. The statute of limitations for premises liability lawsuits in Alabama is two years, so that means you will have two years from the date of your accident to sue a negligent party. Though to many, two years sounds like plenty of time, the truth is, it is always best to act sooner, rather than later. You should also note that in some cases, individuals will have even less time from the date of their accident to file a Notice of Claim, depending on where or how they were injured. Do not miss these important deadlines. Simply reach out to us today so we can get started working on your case.
Contact a Birmingham Slip and Fall Lawyer Today
The bottom line is that if you’ve been injured on someone else’s property due to no fault of your own, you need a law firm that can effectively fight for the compensation you need. Contact a slip and fall lawyer from Alabama Personal Injury Lawyers, LLC today to schedule your free case evaluation with our dedicated legal team.