Missoula Slip and Fall Lawyer

When you sustain bodily injuries and losses from slipping, tripping, and falling on someone else’s property because of hazardous conditions, you may have legal cause for a lawsuit. Claims can result from accidents on public, private, or business property.

Winning an award for damages requires showing the court that the property possessor knew or should have known of the risk and failed to take reasonable action, make repairs, or warn their guests until the damage was complete. This process can be complicated, but a compassionate personal injury attorney could help. Call one of our Missoula slip and fall lawyers today to schedule an appointment and learn more.

Common Causes of Slip and Falls

Some typical causes of slip and fall injury claims include:

• Wet and slippery walkways and surfaces from leaks, spills, rain and other weather-related conditions, or freshly mopped floors
• Cracked, defective, or broken sidewalks, potholes, loose floorboards, or other flaws causing uneven or hazardous walkways
• Insufficient lighting, including poorly lit areas and stairwells
• Clutter, obstacles, and debris, which obstruct walkways
• Uneven or defective stairways
• Missing or broken handrails

When property hazards put visitors at risk of sustaining bodily harm and other damages, personal injury laws allow them to initiate legal action to pursue compensation from the liable party. One of our Missoula slip and fall attorneys can review the case specifics and answer questions about the process and the potential damages.

The Possible Recoverable Damages

After establishing fault in premises liability claims, the court will consider factors like the cause of the accident, the defendant’s actions, and the severity of bodily injuries. Some examples of damages the court may award compensation for include:

• Money for past, present, and future medical expenses, such as the emergency room, hospital stays, surgery, and rehabilitation
• The cost of medicine and medical equipment or devices
• Lost wages while the injured party is home to rest and recover, including lost benefits and reduced earning capacity
• Pain and suffering, which includes payment for physical and emotional pain and psychological distress
• Permanent disabilities or impairments related to the cause of action
• Loss of consortium, affection, intimacy, and companionship

There is no standard settlement amount for people injured in slip-and-fall accidents. However, a slip and fall lawyer in Missoula could help secure a significant award when severe injuries continue to affect them long term.

Fault in Slip and Fall Cases

To win an award for damages, the plaintiff must show that the person responsible for the property neglected to maintain the premises reasonably safe. The action may also prove they failed to warn of the risk of knowable defects or hazards. Under the Montana Code Annotated § 27-1-701, property owners and possessors have a legal duty or obligation of care to keep the area safe for guests to prevent causing them harm.

Property owner liability can result from carelessness, recklessness, omission, or misconduct. While land possessors are legally obligated to keep the premises safe for visitors they invite to enter the property, there is no legal obligation to trespassers in most cases.

However, there may be an exception if the court finds that the landowner purposely created a dangerous condition to harm those entering without permission. One of our slip and fall lawyers in Missoula could review the applicable statutes and answer specific questions during the consultation.

Call a Skilled Slip and Fall Attorney in Missoula Today

Property owners and possessors must maintain the premises, conduct regular inspections, find defects, and repair them promptly to keep them reasonably safe for people they invite to enter. They must also warn guests of the hazardous condition until the repair is complete.

You have the right to file a claim and civil court to collect damages from the liable party if you sustained bodily injuries and property damage because of negligence. Schedule a meeting with one of our Missoula slip and fall lawyers to review your case and options.