Under premises liability law, a property owner’s duties require them to abide by certain standards and regulations to keep you safe. If you become injured on someone else’s property due to a broken staircase, slip and fall by the pool, or another accident, you may be entitled to compensation. But if you slip and fall on a public sidewalk, you may be wondering who’s at fault.
If you’re an injured person looking to file a premises liability claim against a property owner or occupier, you will be required to prove a few things. First, you must be able to prove that the injury you’ve sustained did in fact happen on that property – in this case, a public sidewalk. Next, you are required to prove that the owner’s negligence and/or failure to use reasonable duty of care in the maintenance of the property is what caused the injuries. In this case, that would be the government or municipality that’s responsible for maintaining that area.
At The Accident Network Law Group, we’ve seen thousands of cases where unsuspecting pedestrians slip and fall on a public sidewalk and aren’t sure what to do next. Rest assured that if you have been injured in this way, you have the right to seek legal action and may be entitled to compensation.
Can I Sue If I’ve Fallen On A Public Sidewalk?
Anyone who has been hurt due to someone else’s negligence is entitled to contact a lawyer, schedule a free consultation, and seek a settlement that covers the cost of their injuries. If you have fallen on a public sidewalk, you may be able to sue the negligent party for the injuries you’ve sustained, even if that’s the local government or municipality.
Your premises liability attorney will calculate the sum of the expenses you have spared as a result of nursing your injuries. Depending on the specifics of your case, you may be able to receive compensation for your medical bills, lost wages, or even pain and suffering.
How Can I Get Help Paying Medical Bills After A Slip and Fall On A Sidewalk?
Negligence is the most common basis for personal injury claims. The basis for liability under negligence stems from an individual’s failures to behave with the level of care that someone of ordinary prudence would have exercised under the same circumstances. If you can prove the municipality’s negligence, you may be entitled to compensation that helps you pay your medical bills.
Get relief sooner by working with a premises liability attorney. Your lawyer will track your expenses relating to the accident and fight for your right to a settlement that reimburses what you have spent, or will need to spend.
Medical bills, prescription medication, hospital visits and rehabilitative care can all be factored into your compensation package. If your injuries are severe, your lawyer will defend your right to receive compensation for long-term medical care, such as physical or occupational therapy. If you were forced to take time off of work to nurse your injuries and heal from the fall, you may be able to receive compensation that makes up for lost wages in your paycheck.
In especially severe cases, pain and suffering compensation may be awarded to a slip and fall victim who exhibits signs of serious distress following the accident. A bad accident can change your life, and depression, anxiety and trauma are not to be overlooked. You deserve to be compensated for what you have suffered in order to help you get your life back on track after the accident.
If the municipality was found to be especially negligent, punitive damages may be imposed upon them. These damages serve as a punishment that requires a payment to rectify the situation caused by their lack of care and attention to their property. Since every accident case is different from the last, speak to a lawyer about what options for justice apply to your case.
How Much Does It Cost To Speak To A Premises Liability Lawyer?
Some slip and fall lawyers in Riverside charge for consultations. At The Accident Network Law Group, we never charge for an initial consultation. We believe anyone who has suffered an accident has the right to talk to an attorney about what happened, and has the right to seek compensation that helps them in their time of need.
In your free consultation, an attorney from The Accident Network Law Group will take the time to understand the details of your case. They will take the time to ensure you feel heard, understood, and confident regarding that accident you suffered and the steps you’re about to take to get help.
When you team up with a premises liability attorney, your attorney will help you compile all documentation necessary to strengthen your case. Your attorney will defend you before a judge and demonstrate why you deserve compensation after the accident. If necessary, your lawyer will even renegotiate your settlement if the first option doesn’t seem right.
With the help of a lawyer, you will need to be able to prove that the municipality in charge of maintaining the sidewalk you fell on did in fact know that it was unfit for foot traffic. In some cases, this means there are cracks on the sidewalk or broken pieces of concrete that could easily hurt a pedestrian. If you can prove that the municipality was negligent in maintaining the sidewalk, you may be able to receive compensation.
Schedule A Free, No Obligation Consultation With The Accident Network Law Group Today
You have the option to defend yourself in court, but when you work with a lawyer, you can be sure all the necessary steps are executed thoroughly so you can get the relief you need as soon as possible.
To speak with a lawyer about your slip and fall on a public sidewalk, contact The Accident Network Law Group and schedule a free consultation. Call our offices at (714) 844-1010 or send us an email at info@accidentnetwork.com.