Slip and fall accidents can happen anywhere, but their consequences are often serious. From broken bones to head injuries, the aftermath can leave victims with mounting medical bills, lost wages, and significant pain. If you’ve been hurt on someone else’s property due to unsafe conditions, you don’t have to face this alone. The dedicated attorneys at Schafer & Schafer LLP are here to fight for the compensation you deserve.
With over 100 years of combined experience, our team has extensive experience in premises liability cases and has successfully held negligent property owners accountable. Contact us today for a free consultation and see how we can help you rebuild your life.
How Our Northwest Indiana Lawyers Prove Liability in Slip & Fall Cases
Winning a slip and fall case often hinges on proving liability. Property owners or managers must maintain safe conditions for visitors, and when they fail, they can be held responsible for accidents.
At Schafer & Schafer LLP, we take the following steps to establish their negligence:
- Investigating the Scene: We gather critical evidence such as photographs, video footage, and witness statements to demonstrate unsafe conditions.
- Preserving Evidence: We recommend victims preserve their clothing and shoes exactly as they were at the time of the accident to support claims of hazardous conditions.
- Establishing Negligence: We show that the property owner knew or should have known about the dangerous condition and failed to address it in a timely manner.
- Consulting Experts: We bring in safety professionals or engineers to corroborate claims when necessary.
Our detailed approach helps build a strong case for victims, increasing the likelihood of securing the compensation they need.
Hurt in a Slip and Fall? You May Be Entitled to Compensation
When a slip and fall accident results in injuries, it can create significant and unexpected financial hardships that disrupt your life. Fortunately, you may be entitled to compensation through a premises liability claim. This compensation can cover a range of damages, including medical expenses for hospital stays, physical therapy, and ongoing care, lost wages incurred from time missed during recovery, and the emotional and physical pain and suffering you've endured.
Compensation can also account for other related expenses, such as future medical needs or diminished earning capacity. If unsafe conditions on another's property directly caused your injuries, you have the right to seek justice. At Schafer & Schafer LLP, we are committed to diligently pursuing your claim, ensuring all your damages are fully recognized and compensated.
What to Do Immediately After a Slip and Fall Accident
Taking the right steps after a slip and fall accident can significantly strengthen your case. Here’s what you should do following the incident:
- Seek Medical Attention: Even if the injuries don’t seem severe, medical records are critical to documenting your claim.
- Report the Incident: Notify the property owner or store manager, and request a written report.
- Document Everything: Take photos of the hazard, your injuries, and the surrounding environment.
- Preserve Evidence: Keep the clothes and shoes you wore, as they may serve as evidence.
- Contact Schafer & Schafer LLP: Before speaking to any insurance companies, consult experienced attorneys to protect your rights and avoid undervaluing your claim.
The actions you take immediately after an accident can be the difference between a strong and weak case.
Understanding Premises Liability Laws in Indiana
Premises liability laws in Indiana hold property owners accountable for providing safe conditions to visitors. However, these laws also recognize varying “duties of care” depending on your relationship to the property owner:
- Invitees: Visitors present for the benefit of the property owner (like customers) are owed the highest duty of care.
- Licensees: Social visitors are owed reasonable safety measures but may face limited liability based on the property’s condition.
- Trespassers: Property owners typically have minimal legal obligations to trespassers, except in cases involving children (e.g., attractive nuisances).
Indiana’s comparative fault laws can impact your case as well. If you’re found partially at fault for the accident, your compensation may be reduced proportionally. Schafer & Schafer LLP will carefully evaluate your claim to maximize your recovery under Indiana law.
Common Causes of Slip and Fall Accidents We Handle
Slip and fall accidents are often caused by negligence, and our team has experience handling claims involving:
- Wet or slippery floors without adequate warnings
- Poorly maintained sidewalks, driveways, or parking areas
- Icy or snowy pathways that weren’t treated in a reasonable timeframe
- Violations of building codes creating hazardous conditions
- Insufficient lighting in stairwells or hallways
- Loose rugs, uneven flooring, or broken steps
No matter how your accident happened, Schafer & Schafer LLP has the knowledge to uncover the underlying causes and hold property owners accountable.
Why Insurance Companies Fight Slip and Fall Claims
Property owners and their insurance companies often fight slip and fall claims aggressively. They may argue that you were careless or that the hazard was too minor to cause harm. These tactics are designed to undervalue your claim or deny it altogether.
At Schafer & Schafer LLP, we know how to counter these challenges by:
- Gathering irrefutable evidence
- Demonstrating the hazard’s impact on your injuries
- Highlighting the property owner’s negligence
We won’t back down from insurance companies’ underhanded practices. Instead, we negotiate and litigate with your best interests in mind.
Contact Schafer & Schafer LLP for a Free Consultation
Your road to recovery doesn’t have to feel uncertain. If you’ve been injured in a slip and fall accident in Northwest Indiana, Schafer & Schafer LLP is here to guide you every step of the way.
Contact us today for a free case evaluation. There’s no cost to learn how we can help you secure the compensation and justice you deserve. Don’t wait, time limits apply to personal injury cases, so act now to protect your rights.
