Baton Rouge Slip and Fall Attorney

Slip and Fall Lawsuit Representation

Ideally, you should never have to worry about dangerous conditions when you enter a store, hotel, or even a friend’s home. If there is a hazard, the property owner or person overseeing the property should make every effort to warn you about the danger. Should they fail to do so and you slip and fall as a result, the property owner may be responsible for covering your injury-related losses.

At Chris Corzo Injury Attorneys, our experienced Baton Rouge premises liability team understands Louisiana’s laws inside and out. Driven by our strong Christian values, we have secured billions of dollars for thousands of clients. Our Baton Rouge slip and fall lawyers are committed to providing an unmatched, personalized client experience and always put you first. You can rest easy knowing you will never owe anything out-of-pocket until we put money in your pocket, and we will do everything possible to put you back on top.

If you were recently injured in a slip and fall incident, contact us online or call (225) 999-1111 to schedule a free initial consultation.

Common Injuries Caused by Slip and Falls

Some people might not consider a slip and fall to be a particularly dangerous or serious occurrence. While it is true that falling can occasionally result in little to no lasting consequences, certain factors can make these incidents extremely harmful to victims. Numerous factors will play into the types of injuries that could be sustained, including the toughness of the flooring, the presence of any jagged surfaces or edges, and how the victim lands. A blow to the head on a nearby shelf, for example, can lead to catastrophic injuries.

Injuries frequently sustained in slip and fall incidents include:

• Facial injuries
• Spinal injuries
• Back injuries
• Head injuries
• Broken or fractured limbs

Where Do Slip and Falls Frequently Happen?

Certain types of venues and businesses are more prone to slip and falls than others, especially if they are heavily trafficked or have floors that are more likely to become slick or uneven. Owners of these types of facilities should therefore be especially vigilant in monitoring for unsafe conditions.

Slip and fall accidents often happen at:

• Concert venues
• Grocery stores
• Parking lots and garages
• Restaurants
• Shopping malls
• Swimming pools

How Louisiana’s Premises Liability Laws Affect Slip and Fall Incidents

Under state law, property owners have a legal obligation to maintain relatively safe premises. This means they must make every reasonable effort to be aware of dangerous conditions and resolve (or at least address) hazards as soon as they learn about them.

A Louisiana property owner is likely liable for a slip and fall incident if:

• A dangerous condition (such as a slick surface) was present on the property
• The property owner knew or reasonably should have known about the dangerous condition and did not take sufficient steps to address it
• The dangerous condition caused the slip and fall, leading to the victim sustaining injuries
• The victim was doing nothing reckless at the time of the accident

Many slip and falls tend to be caused by slick flooring, uneven surfaces, or other tripping hazards, all of which generally constitute “dangerous conditions” for purposes of premises liability law. However, you must be able to prove the property owner knew about the hazard or should have known about it. This is where many of these cases can run into difficulty, but our Baton Rouge slip and fall attorneys can investigate the circumstances and work to gather the evidence needed to establish liability.

Every case is different, but often, a property owner “should” have reasonably known about a safety issue that has existed for a substantial amount of time. For example, say a spill occurs at a grocery store, causing slick liquid to cover the floor of an aisle. If the store is large, the property owner will probably not be expected to have immediately detected and cleaned the spill. However, if an hour or more passes and nothing is done to address the slick floor, there is an argument that the property owner (and their employees) should have been monitoring the space and discovered the problem.

A property owner may not be responsible for a slip and fall if the victim was acting irresponsibly at the time of the accident. If the victim was wearing improper footwear for the environment, running, or not looking where they were going in the moments before the fall, for example, liability may be less clear. A case may also be weakened if the victim goes somewhere they are not supposed to be, such as a clearly marked “employees only” area.

Also note that a property owner may not be liable if they make an effort to warn visitors and patrons about a dangerous condition, even if they do not fully and immediately resolve it. A property owner might put up a bright “caution” sign and cones around a spill, which is likely sufficient to avoid liability.

Not sure if you have a slip and fall case in Louisiana? You do not have to go through the legal process alone. Our Baton Rouge slip and fall lawyer can help you understand your rights and advise whether you have a strong claim.

What To Do after a Slip and Fall Accident in Louisiana

Some people think of a slip and fall as embarrassing more than dangerous or a reason to consider litigation. Still, you should make every effort to protect your rights after falling due to a hazard on someone else’s property.

Do not hesitate to call 9-1-1 and seek immediate medical care if you sustain any severe injuries after a slip and fall. If you cannot get up, feel numb, or are experiencing a headache, go to the nearest hospital and get checked out.

If you are well enough to stay at the property where you fell, take photos of the hazard and any warning signage (or lack thereof) near it. Then, find the property owner or the manager-on-duty and explain what happened, including pointing out the unsafe condition that caused the accident. You will need their contact information as well as the contact information of the property owner (if they are not present) and any witnesses.

Do not say anything that implies you were at fault, and ask the on-duty manager to generate an official report. Review the report for accuracy and collect a copy before leaving.

After leaving, see a doctor and get a complete medical evaluation. Slip and falls can lead to conditions that may not be obvious at first, so do not put off a visit even if you feel fine.

Avoid making any statements or answering any questions posed by the property owner’s insurance company or legal representatives. When you hire our firm, our Baton Rouge slip and fall lawyers will handle all communications on your behalf and promptly get to work on your case.

How Long Do I Have to File a Slip and Fall Claim?

If your accident or injury happened on or after July 1, 2024, you now have two years to file a personal injury claim under Louisiana’s expanded statute of limitations (Louisiana Civil Code Article 3493.1). For incidents before July 1, 2024, the filing deadline remains one year.

Should someone perish due to slip and fall-related injuries, qualifying family members can seek compensation on their behalf through a wrongful death lawsuit. They will have one year from the date of the victim’s passing to initiate legal action.

Potential Damages in a Louisiana Slip and Fall Lawsuit

Our Baton Rouge slip and fall attorney will work to secure compensation for all pertinent losses, including:

• Medical bills
• Lost income
• Lost earning capacity
• Property damage (such as a broken watch)
• Loss of consortium
• Loss of enjoyment of life
• Pain and suffering
• Emotional distress