Slip & Fall Accidents
The West Virginia slip-and-fall accident attorneys of Heavens Law Firm are renowned for their skill and knowledge of personal injury law. Chris Heavens is relentless in his pursuit of justice on behalf of his clients, leaving no stone unturned when it comes to discovering the truth. To get a flavor for the type of lawyer that Chris Heavens is, take a look at the testimonials of Heavens Law Firm’ clients on our web site.
Heavens Law Firm takes wrongdoers and their insurance companies to task when they refuse to accept responsibility for the harm that they have caused. When wrongdoers and their insurance companies refuse to turn over information and documents to the detriment of our clients and public safety, we file motions in court to expose the misconduct so that we are not only winning for our clients, but also winning for public safety. When we win for our clients, the chances of future harm to others will be reduced. We are dedicated to recovering compensation for victims injured in slip-and-fall accidents, assaults, robberies and other wrongdoing caused by the negligence of others. One of our objectives as a law firm is to try to see to it that each case adds a small measure of public safety to our lives. Our firm provides unparalleled personal legal services to clients in West Virginia, Pennsylvania and in other states where we are consulted by outside attorneys.
Slip-and-fall accidents are a fact of life in cities across the United States. In fact, they are one of the leading causes of death in the elderly. While “slip-and-fall” sounds relatively innocuous, these accidents can result in serious injuries. Falls from ladders, scaffolds, or in sports-related accidents are the leading causes of traumatic brain and spinal cord injuries in adults. Many people blame themselves and feel embarrassed after taking a tumble. But most slip-and-fall injuries are preventable. These accidents are usually caused by a slick surface that causes people to lose their footing. Other causes include:
- Polished marble
- Spilled beverages
- Residue from cleaning
- Spilled lotion, shampoo and other substances in retail establishments
- Spilled oil, antifreeze and other vehicle products in parking areas.
- Poor lighting
- Uneven stairs
- Slick walkways
- Uneven surfaces
- Broken concrete and cracked blacktop
- Protruding objects that should have been removed
- Defects in ladder
- Improper scaffolding
- Construction site accidents
Because most slip-and-fall accidents occur on property, they are covered under premises liability law. Premises liability laws holds property owners responsible for injuries caused by dangerous conditions on property. This is because landowners have a basic duty to protect invitees from unreasonable harm. While the law does not require that owners prevent all slip-and-fall accidents, it does impose a legal duty to exercise “reasonable” care in maintaining the premises. This means performing periodic inspections and necessary repairs. The frequency of required repairs and inspections increases with the likelihood of slip-and-falls.
Some of the largest retailers in the United States spend a majority of their litigation expenses on slip-and-fall accidents. This is because shoppers often trip in slippery aisles or over fallen merchandise. In these cases, the business owner has a duty to clean up spills and block off areas that are likely to result in slip-and-falls. Bars, restaurants, and convenience stores may also have to perform more frequent inspections because there is a greater likelihood that customers will trip on spilled food or drinks. Landlords are likewise responsible for fixing broken lights or uneven steps that might constitute a danger to the tenants.
While common, slippery floors are not the only cause of accidents. People often trip on uneven pavement or slide on loose gravel. Passengers who make it through the steps and automatic doors of public buses still lose their balance when the vehicle stops or accelerates. Malfunctions in elevators and escalators can also cause a loss of footing. In these cases, property and business owners may be liable if the condition existed long enough for them to become aware of the danger and they took no action to prevent or repair the condition. Claimants who can prove that negligence, or the breach of a legal duty, caused their injury are entitled to damages for medical expenses, lost income, and pain and suffering. The property owners must compensate the injured party for all costs reasonably related to the harm.
If you were injured in a slip-and-fall accident, the experienced Charleston slip-and-fall accident lawyers at Heavens Law Firm can help. We have successfully handled many types of premises liability cases involving injuries caused by slip-and-fall accidents. This is due to our relentless approach to all cases. We simply do not give up. We do not take no for an answer. Our work ethic and careful case screening process means that we have a high record of success in litigation. We do not accept frivolous cases and once we do accept a case we work aggressively to get a positive result. If we take on your case, you should feel confident that it is a good case and that you will receive the best legal representation available, with an added commitment to personal attention unrivaled in today’s marketplace. Our firm has recovered millions of dollars for injured victims across Pennsylvania, West Virginia and other states where we have been consulted by outside counsel. We can help you pursue your claim at no up-front cost to you. Our initial consultations are always free and we do not get paid unless we recover compensation for you. For a free consultation with Chris Heavens, please call 1-866-HEAVLAW or contact us online.
