North Dakota Slip and Fall Accident Lawyer

Holding property owners accountable for serious slip and fall injuries

Though they may seem like relatively minor incidents, slip and falls can be extremely serious, sometimes leading to catastrophic injuries. Property owners are responsible for keeping their premises in a safe manner to prevent visitor slips, trips, and falls. When they neglect this duty and injuries result, they may be held liable for the harm they cause.

If neglected maintenance or safety hazards lead to a slip and fall injury, the legal team at Larson Law can help you determine if you have grounds to seek compensation from the business or homeowner. For more than 45 years, our skilled North Dakota slip and fall accident attorneys have handled complicated personal injury cases. We have the investigative skills to critically evaluate accident scenes and determine fault. Our diligence helps us aggressively pursue full recovery for victims’ medical care, lost income, and other losses.

Causes of slip and fall accidents

Slips, trips, and falls can happen wherever there is poorly or inadequately maintained property. Property owners owe their visitors and patrons a duty of care to ensure that the grounds are safe, and that there is fair warning of any potential hazards. Failure to uphold this duty could be grounds for a premises liability claim.

At Larson Law, we routinely handle slip and fall accidents caused by:

• Spilled liquid. When liquids or other substances spill on, say, a grocery store floor, owners and managers have a duty to clean it up in a timely manner. Customers may slip and fall when they come in contact with these spills.
• Freshly waxed or mopped floors. Waxing can leave a floor slippery for visitors. If owners fail to adequately warn visitors and injuries result, our lawyers hold them accountable for their negligent actions.
• Dangerous stairs or surfaces. Inadequately maintained floor surfaces or steps can create tripping or slipping hazards for property visitors.
• Accumulation or ice or snow. Whether on walkways or in parking lots, ice or snow accumulation can create significant risks for even the most careful individual.
• Uneven walkways. Exposed bricks, broken pavement, unevenly-laid floors and carpets: any of these could cause a serious fall. If you were hurt because a walkway, floor or area of pavement posed a hazard, you may be entitled to compensation.

Of course, not every slip and fall accident is the result of a damaged or wet floor. Falls from heights are the #1 risk for construction industry workers, including those who work on derricks in the oil fields. If your walkways or platforms are not secure, and you have not been provided proper safety attire, you may be able to make a claim for damage.

Immediate steps to take after your accident

After a slip and fall accident, your first priority is seeking medical attention. Even if you feel that your injuries are not serious, it is important to obtain a medical examination. If you have a head injury, you may feel “fine” for hours, but the real damage may not be known until a doctor evaluates you. If you injure your back, the damage may not be seen or felt right away. Traumatic brain injuries may not present with symptoms for several hours. The only way to know the extent of your injuries is to see a doctor. Call an ambulance if you have severe injuries. If you feel that your injuries are not as urgent, ask someone to drive you to the hospital or a clinic.

Once you are medically stable, notify the property owner of the event. It is best to give this notice as soon as possible. If you are in a place of business, contact the manager, supervisor, or owner to report the accident. Request a copy of an incident report before you leave. Immediate action after a slip and fall can have a big impact on the outcome of your case. Taking the right steps after your accident will only strengthen your claim.

What documentation is needed for your slip-and-fall case?

When you get medical attention after your accident, it is important that you keep copies of all your receipts, doctor visit notes, test reports, scans, prescriptions, and any other information that is provided by the doctor.

Photos of the accident area are also beneficial to your case. Focus in on the specific area where you fell, such as the exact stair on the staircase or the exact tile on the floor. If your injuries are not urgent, you should try to take these photos immediately after a slip and fall since the area's condition can change quickly.

You should also collect the names and phone numbers of anyone who witnessed your fall. If these are employees, you should easily be able to get this information on your return visit. However, if they were visitors to that location, it is vitally important that you attempt to obtain their information immediately following your slip and fall. Finally, put aside the shoes and clothing you were wearing that day for safekeeping. These may also be useful as evidence when arguing your premises liability case.

Let our skilled North Dakota lawyers guide you through the slip-and-fall claims process

The slip and fall accident attorneys at Larson Law are dedicated to obtaining results for clients who have been seriously injured in a slip-and-fall accident that was the result of someone else’s negligence. Call our firm today at 701-929-7510 or use our contact form to schedule a free consultation with an experienced attorney. We represent residents of Ward, Williams, McKenzie, Pierce, and Mountrail Counties. Our Minot office is easily accessible with convenient parking available.