Nashville Slip and Fall Lawyer Protects Victims' Rights After Property Owner Negligence
You were walking through the local grocery store, focused on your shopping list. Suddenly, your feet slipped out from under you on a puddle of water that had leaked from the ceiling. As you lie there in pain, embarrassed and unsure of what to do, you wonder if you have any legal options. At GriffithLaw, our Nashville slip and fall lawyers understand how a sudden fall can leave you with serious injuries and mounting medical bills. We help victims hold negligent property owners accountable for their unsafe premises.
Property Owner Responsibilities and Premises Liability
Tennessee law holds property owners accountable for keeping their premises safe. Whether you're shopping at a store or visiting someone's home, the owner needs to watch for dangerous conditions that could hurt visitors. Tort liability applies to negligence by the state, too.
This means they can't ignore obvious hazards. They need to fix problems quickly and put up warning signs until repairs are complete. A spilled drink in a restaurant should be cleaned up right away. A broken step needs immediate attention. These aren't just good business practices; they're legal obligations under our state's premises liability laws.
Common Property Hazards That Lead to Falls
Premises liability laws may apply in a wide variety of situations that may cause slip-and-fall injuries.
Hazardous Walking Surfaces
Inside buildings, wet or slippery floors from spills, leaks, or recently mopped-up areas create treacherous walking conditions. They can cause serious falls. Similarly, uneven flooring including cracked tiles, torn carpeting, or unexpected changes in elevation between surfaces pose significant tripping hazards.
Poor Property Maintenance
Damaged stairs with broken steps, loose boards, or missing non-slip strips make falls more likely, especially when combined with loose, broken, or missing handrails. Poor lighting in stairwells, hallways, and parking areas makes it harder to spot these potential dangers.
Weather-Related Conditions
Difficult weather conditions significantly increase the risk of slipping and falling, both outdoors and inside building entrances. Ice and snow accumulation on walkways, steps, and parking lots creates extremely slippery surfaces.
Rainwater tracked inside on smooth floors dramatically increases fall risks too, particularly in store entrances and lobbies. Buildings with leaking roofs that allow water to pool on floors pose ongoing hazards that property owners must address.
Cluttered Walkways
Another major hazard that property owners must prevent is unnecessary and dangerous clutter in hallways and walkways. Extension cords stretched across walking paths, merchandise displays that block aisles or extend into walkways, and construction debris left in pedestrian areas all create unnecessary tripping hazards that can lead to serious injuries.
Common Injuries From Slip and Fall Accidents
Slip and fall accidents often result in serious injuries, including:
- Broken bones, especially wrists, hips, and ankles
- Head injuries and traumatic brain injuries
- Back and neck injuries
- Shoulder injuries
- Knee damage
- Cuts and bruises
- Sprained muscles and ligaments
Crucial Steps to Take After a Slip and Fall Accident
After a slip and fall accident, it is important to take certain steps to protect your health and preserve the viability of a premises liability injury claim.
Your first priority should be to seek medical attention for your injuries. Visit the hospital or see your doctor for a comprehensive physical exam. Some injuries may not become apparent until later. It is important to keep up with follow-up appointments and treatment plans.
Report the incident to the property owner or manager, being sure to document the hazardous conditions with photos if possible. Try to get the contact information of any witnesses who may have seen what happened. Keep the shoes and clothing you were wearing at the time of the incident as evidence.
Avoid giving recorded statements to insurance companies until you’ve consulted with an experienced Nashville slip and fall lawyer who understands premises liability and can help protect your legal rights.
How Our Nashville Slip and Fall Lawyers Fight for Your Rights
At GriffithLaw, our experienced legal team thoroughly investigates every aspect of your slip and fall accident to build the strongest possible case. We document all evidence of negligence and identify every party who may share responsibility for your injuries.
Our attorneys calculate the full value of your current and future damages, which can add up to hundreds of thousands of dollars. We then negotiate aggressively with insurance companies to secure fair compensation. If necessary, we're also fully prepared to take your case to trial.
Don't let a property owner's negligence leave you struggling with medical bills and lost income. The skilled premises liability lawyers at GriffithLaw will fight to get you the compensation you deserve for your injuries.