At Labrum Law Firm Personal Injury Lawyers, we understand that behind every accident claim, there’s a personal story of pain, confusion, and a longing for justice. As you navigate these challenging tides of emotion after a slip and fall accident in Nashville, TN, trust us to be the advocates you need and genuinely deserve.
When you work with us, you’re not just getting an attorney – you’re gaining a dedicated partner who is willing to overcome every obstacle that stands between you and generous compensation.
Contact us online or call (615) 685-8546 for a free initial consultation so that we can discuss your claim and assess your needs. Our Nashville slip and fall accident lawyers are available 24/7 to assist.
How Our Nashville Personal Injury Lawyers Can Help With Your Slip and Fall Accident Case
A slip and fall accident can leave you with life-shattering injuries. In a worst-case scenario, you might never fully recover. Unfortunately, you cannot expect the insurance company to act like a “good neighbor.” More likely, they will fight your claim using every weapon in their legal arsenal. You’re going to need Nashville personal injury attorneys on your side firing back, and we know just how to do it.
At Labrum Law Firm Personal Injury Lawyers, our attorneys have accumulated years of collective experience fighting for accident victims just like you. We understand how important a financial recovery can be, and we’re prepared to put the full force and weight of our law firm behind your legal claim.
Here are some of the actions you can expect us to take on your behalf:
- Evaluate your claim by digging deep into the incident that caused your slip and fall injury
- Collect vital data such as medical documents, official reports, testimonies, photographic evidence, tangible evidence, etc.
- Collaborate with expert witnesses, including medical professionals
- Negotiate with insurance representatives and possibly your medical service provider
- File a lawsuit (this doesn’t always lead to a trial)
- Oversee the pretrial discovery phase of litigation
- Draft a settlement agreement
- Represent you in court if the need arises
It may look complicated, but the odds are you will end up settling your claim out of court. Contact our law office for a free consultation with an experienced slip and fall accident attorney in Nashville, Tennessee.
How Many Slip and Fall Accidents Happen Every Year?
Over 200,000 people are seriously injured every year in slip and fall accidents. Slips and falls are the second-leading preventable cause of accidental death, behind only car accidents. They are the leading cause of accidental death among senior citizens.
What Are Some Common Causes of Slip and Fall Accidents?
Some of the most common causes of slip and fall accidents include:
- Intoxication
- Wet floors
- Failure to remove ice from walking surfaces
- Pavement defects
- Unsafe ladders
- Malfunctioning escalators
- Defective staircases or stairway railings
- Poor lighting, especially in stairwells
- Torn carpeting
A variety of unsafe practices can lead to slip and fall accidents.
What Steps Should I Take After a Slip and Fall Accident in Nashville, TN?
Immediately after a slip and fall accident, take the following actions to the extent that your condition requires or allows:
- Seek medical treatment. Do not delay treatment – for both medical and legal reasons.
- Report the accident to the proper authority of the premises (e.g., property owner, manager, etc.).
- Write down your own account of the accident and your injuries.
- Collect the names and addresses of all witnesses.
- Contact an experienced Nashville personal injury lawyer to schedule an appointment.
Do not apologize for the accident, even “just to be polite,” and do not give a statement to anyone but your lawyer. Insurance companies, in particular, love claimants who offer them recorded statements.
What Kinds of Injuries Do Slip and Fall Accidents Cause?
A slip and fall accident can affect any part of the body. Some injuries, however, are more common than others.
Some of the most common slip and fall injuries include:
- Broken bones
- Traumatic brain injuries (TBIs)
- Back injuries
- Sprains
- Spinal cord injuries
- Neck injuries
Death is also a frequent result of a severe slip and fall accident.
What is Premises Liability?
Premises liability is the liability faced by the owner (or occupier) of real property. These parties owe a duty of care to anyone who is on their property legally, from invited guests to meter readers. Owners can even face liability to trespassers under certain circumstances (child trespassers, for example). The duty obligates the property owner to use reasonable care to prevent others from suffering harm on the premises.
What if Someone Dies From a Slip and Fall Accident?
If someone dies from a slip and fall accident, certain close relatives or the estate executor can file a wrongful death lawsuit against the at-fault party. Compensation works differently than it does for personal injury claims.
Nevertheless, awards tend to be substantial since they represent the value of a human life. Compensation goes to surviving family members, even if the estate executor files the lawsuit.
How Does Comparative Fault Work in Tennessee?
Comparative fault applies when more than one party bears liability for an injury accident. The court will assign each party a percentage of fault. Any party 50% at fault or more will lose any compensation they would have otherwise been entitled to. A party who is less than 50% at fault will lose compensation in direct proportion to their percentage of responsibility.
What Compensation Might I Qualify For After a Slip and Fall Accident in Tennessee?
After a Tennessee slip and fall accident, you might qualify for the following types of economic and non-economic damages:
- Medical expenses
- Estimated future medical costs (in the case of a long-term injury)
- Lost earnings
- Diminished earning capacity if you suffer long-term or permanent occupational disability
- Out-of-pocket expenses related to your accident, such as childcare expenses or housekeeping services
- Non-economic damages such as pain and suffering
In rare cases, a court might award you punitive damages as well. These are awarded to punish the defendant for wrongdoing.
Does Homeowners Insurance Cover Slip and Fall Accidents?
Suppose you slip and fall down a flight of stairs while visiting Mitch, your next-door neighbor and best friend. You need compensation, but you don’t want to file a personal injury claim and bankrupt your best friend. You probably won’t have to.
If Mitch carries homeowners insurance, it will probably cover your slip and fall claim. If it does, Mitch will be on the hook for the deductible and perhaps an increase in monthly premiums.
Can I Sue the Government for a Slip and Fall Injury?
Yes, you can under most circumstances, but you will face certain procedural hurdles and substantive limitations. You must first decide which government office is responsible for your accident. All Tennessee local governments (like Nashville) are subdivisions of the Tennessee state government.
It’s best to hire an experienced Nashville slip and fall accident attorney if a government entity is responsible for your damages.
What Evidence Can Help Me Prove My Nashville Slip and Fall Accident Claim?
There are many ways to prove a slip and fall claim.
Some of the best evidence includes:
- Video footage of the fall (this is by far the best evidence you can submit)
- Eyewitness accounts of the incident
- Medical records for your injuries
- Photos of your injuries
- Photographs of the scene of the accident (especially if they show that there were no visible warning signs)
Remember, evidence does not have to be admissible in court to be potentially useful in settlement negotiations.
Should I Settle or Go to Court?
Most slip and fall victims try to resolve their claims through private settlement, and the vast majority of successful claims end in settlement. A fair number of cases spend some time in court before the parties settle. Remember–you can withdraw your lawsuit and settle your claim any time before the jury announces a final verdict, even while they are deliberating your claim.
What that means in practice is that it might make sense to file a lawsuit over a claim that you still intend to settle as a way of lighting a fire under a stubborn opposing party. Filing a lawsuit also permanently resolves any potential statute of limitations problems in your favor.
Can I Get TN Workers’ Compensation After a Workplace Slip and Fall Accident?
You probably can—after all, workers’ compensation was designed to handle workplace accidents and injuries. The problem is that you probably won’t qualify for much compensation–only economic damages.
If, however, you can find a third party who is at fault for your injuries, you can go ahead and file an ordinary personal injury lawsuit against the third party. This strategy will allow you to claim both economic and non-economic damages.
Can an Expert Witness Help Me Prove My Slip and Fall Claim?
Perhaps. An accident reconstruction expert might be able to substantiate your claims about the cause of the accident. Expert testimony is highly credible in most cases. If you intend to call an expert witness, you will need to inform the opposing party in advance.
Contact Our Nashville Slip and Fall Lawyers for a Free Initial Consultation
Contact us. Our Nashville slip and fall attorneys are ready to assist with your claim. Call Labrum Law Firm Personal Injury Lawyers today at (615) 685-8546 to schedule an appointment so that we can listen to your story and discuss your options. And remember—you owe us nothing in legal fees unless we win your case.
