Eastern Panhandle Slip-And-Fall Attorneys
A slip-and-fall can turn an ordinary errand into long-term pain and suffering. If you were injured because a store owner ignored hazards, such as a wet floor, our attorneys at Bottner & Associates, Attorneys at Law, can help you pursue compensation and hold the store owner accountable.
As personal injury lawyers based in Charles Town, West Virginia, we are well-connected to the community we serve and are determined to help you recover the compensation you need to take time away from work, afford medical treatment and recover with peace of mind. Learn more about our slip-and-fall attorneys and what we can do for you by calling 304-885-4265.
Causes Of Slip-And-Fall Injuries And How Negligence Can Show Up
Accidents often occur when property owners fail to put up warning signs, place them in an invisible spot or fail to clean up after a known danger. Common hazards can include:
- Wet floors
- Icy sidewalks
- Uneven pavement
- Loose mats
- Poor lighting
- Broken stairs
- Cluttered aisles
These situations can often result in back injuries, fractures, head trauma, torn ligaments, and long-term pain that can disrupt your home and work life. Our slip-and-fall attorneys can focus on proving what the property owner knew, or should have known and what they failed to do in our efforts to help you seek compensation.
How West Virginia Premises Liability Claims Work
Slip-and-fall cases often rely on details like your visitor status or whether you were a customer, guest, worker, or someone on the property for another reason. Our lawyers can gather evidence such as:
- Incident reports
- Surveillance video
- Maintenance logs
- Witness statements
- Photos of the hazard before it changes
We can also address comparative fault arguments. These are where an insurance company tries to shift blame to you by claiming you should have seen the warning sign.
West Virginia Slip-And-Fall FAQs
We get these questions a lot regarding premises liability accidents.
What should you do right after a slip-and-fall?
After enduring a slip-and-fall injury, you should:
- Bring attention to the incident
- Ask for an incident report
- Seek immediate medical attention
- Call a lawyer
If you can, take photos of the hazard, your shoes and the surrounding area, and collect witness names. It’s also important to avoid giving detailed recorded statements to an insurer until you speak with an attorney.
Can you still recover compensation if you were partly at fault?
You can potentially still recover compensation, even if you were partially at fault for the incident. That’s because West Virginia abides by comparative fault rules. The other side may argue you weren’t watching where you were going. However, that doesn’t automatically defeat your case. We can thoroughly evaluate the scene and identify flaws in opposing counsel’s claims.
How do you prove that a property owner is responsible?
To prove a property owner was negligent in a slip-and-fall injury, we look for proof that the owner:
- Is directly at fault for the hazard,
- Knew about the hazard and didn’t do anything, or
- Should have known about it through conducting reasonable inspections
Evidence such as video footage, cleaning logs, prior complaints and witness statements can be critical in determining fault in these cases. We can also connect the hazard to your medical records to show the full impact of your accident injuries.
Your Needs Are Our Priority
A slip-and-fall accident can happen in a flash. If it does, call The Stache. You may worry about how you will afford medical treatment and time off work after slipping and falling due to someone else’s negligence. And though store owners, insurers and other liable parties will fight tooth and nail to protect their interests, we are here to protect yours.
Schedule a consultation today so our slip-and-fall attorneys can start working on your case. Email us or call our Charles Town office at 304-885-4265. We serve injury victims throughout Jefferson, Berkeley and Morgan counties in West Virginia.