Are you dealing with the painful aftermath of a slip and fall on someone else’s property? If so, you could be owed compensation for your medical bills, lost wages, pain and suffering, and more. Unfortunately, the property owner’s insurer will likely fight hard to avoid paying you what you deserve. What can you do to fight back and demand justice? Your first move should be to contact an experienced Denver slip and fall lawyer from The Wilhite Law Firm.
Our team has extensive experience representing accident victims and handling the complex world of premises liability claims. We are firmly committed to helping Denver accident victims assert their legal rights and seek the money they need to rebuild their lives. Our seasoned personal injury attorneys want to help you stand up against property owners and their insurers and demand fair compensation for what you’ve suffered – and we won’t charge you a fee unless we win your case.
Don’t wait another second to contact our office today and request a free legal consultation. We will take the time to thoroughly review your situation, advise you on your rights, and explain your options for pursuing justice.
What Are the Most Common Causes of Slip and Falls?
The National Floor Safety Institute (NFSI) indicates that falls are the leading cause of ER visits in the U.S., accounting for nearly 8 million visits annually. Slip and fall accidents are all too common and often happen because property owners fail to correct dangerous hazards on their premises. It is crucial to consult with experienced Denver slip and fall attorneys to understand potential damages and legal options for compensation after such incidents.
Some of the most common causes and conditions that result in slip and fall accidents include:
Icy surfaces
Snow
Spills or wet flooring
Torn carpets and rugs
Uneven walkways
Cracks in sidewalks
Loose floorboards
Loose cords
Items blocking walking paths or store aisles
Loose stairs and handrails
Missing handrails
Unmarked stairs, steps, and other hazards
Potholes
Poor lighting conditions
News reports in 2019 showed that slip-and-fall accidents involving snow and ice are on the rise in Colorado. This increase is caused partly by property owners failing to take appropriate measures to clear snow and ice from sidewalks and walkways following winter storms. Contact our slip and fall attorney in Denver today if you think you have a slip and fall case.
Where Do Denver Slip and Fall Accidents Happen?
A slip and fall accident can occur anywhere a property owner hasn’t taken appropriate and reasonable steps to ensure the safety of their guests or patrons.
Some of the most common areas where Denver slip and fall accidents happen include:
Did you fall and injure yourself on someone else’s property? If so, you need to discuss your situation with a knowledgeable premises liability attorney to learn more about your legal rights. You may be able to demand that the property owner or their insurance company compensate you for your injuries. An slip and fall attorney in Denver can help you manage the process so you have time to recover from your fall injury. In a personal injury case, having proper legal representation is crucial to ensure you receive the compensation you deserve.
What Injuries Can Occur in a Denver Slip and Fall?
Many people are surprised to find that slip and fall accidents can lead to devastating physical injuries. While sprains and strains are common, the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) indicates that falls are the leading cause of traumatic brain injury in the U.S. Other injuries that can occur following a Denver slip and fall accident include:
Broken bones, especially arms, legs, wrists, and hips
Slip and fall accidents can cause more than just physical injuries. These incidents can also trigger invisible injuries like depression, anxiety, and insomnia. In personal injury cases, timely legal action is crucial to secure compensation for various injuries.
What Should I Do If I Have Been Hurt on Someone’s Property?
Your actions in the aftermath of a slip and fall accident can significantly affect your ability to mount a successful premises liability claim and recover fair compensation for your injuries and financial losses.
Seek legal support from The Wilhite Law Firm when filing a personal injury claim to ensure proper documentation and maximize your compensation.
Consider taking the following steps to protect yourself from a slip and fall accident:
Report the accident – Let a supervisor, manager, or property owner know what happened. You may be asked to fill out an incident report if you are hurt at work or in a public location. Be as accurate and detailed as possible, and ask for a copy of the report for your records.
Document the scene – Did you slip on a wet floor or spill? Was the walkway covered in ice? Document the scene as thoroughly as possible with photographs and videos.
Ask witnesses for their contact information – If someone saw the incident occur, ask them for their contact information and a brief description of what they witnessed.
Seek medical attention immediately – Do not wait. Seek medical attention for your injuries immediately after a slip and fall accident, especially if you hit your head. Falls can result in significant and traumatic injuries.
Keep your clothes and shoes – Your clothing and footwear can be valuable evidence. Set aside your clothes and shoes in a plastic bag or container. Do not wash or alter them.
Keep a paper trail – Keep track of your bills and expenses related to the slip and fall accident. That means keeping medical expenses, out-of-pocket costs, and paystubs showing your time missed from work.
Contact an attorney – Premises liability claims are complicated, and insurers take advantage of injury victims who don’t understand the legal system. Get the advice of a skilled Denver slip and fall attorney instead of trying to pursue your claim yourself.
Avoid social media – For your protection, do not post anything on social media until your attorney resolves your claim. Insurers and defense attorneys will look for anything they can use to undermine your claim.
Timely action and legal guidance – In personal injury claims, especially in Colorado, the statute of limitations can vary based on the type of injury case. Timely action and legal guidance are crucial to ensure proper compensation.
Can I Be Compensated for My Slip and Fall Injuries?
You could be entitled to compensation if your injuries resulted from a property owner’s failure to seek out and address dangerous conditions on their premises. Working with an experienced slip and fall lawyer in Denver is the best way to understand your legal options for pursuing meaningful compensation for your losses.
Property owners should have insurance policies that cover the costs of a premises liability claim, like a slip and fall accident. However, insurers are typically more concerned with their profits than helping injury victims. Before you accept a settlement, seek legal advice about your situation. An attorney can review your slip-and-fall case and calculate the fair value of your claim, which could include money for the following:
Sometimes, a personal injury lawsuit may be a viable option for seeking compensation for a slip and fall accident. A skilled attorney can outline all your options. Hiring a personal injury lawyer promptly after an accident can help handle the complex claims process and secure fair compensation.
Who Can Be Held At Fault for My Injuries?
Colorado premises liability law requires all property owners to maintain and address maintenance issues and safety hazards on their premises. This law is meant to keep all guests and patrons safe when they visit a property and provide them with a path to financial recovery when property owners fail to protect them.
Who can be at fault for your slip and fall injuries depends on the circumstances of your unique situation. Personal injury attorneys play a crucial role in identifying liable parties and securing compensation for injuries.
One or more parties may be liable following a slip and fall accident, including:
Property owners, like homeowners and landlords
Property occupiers, like leasees and renters
Business owners and managers
Maintenance and cleaning crews
Independent contractors
A Denver trip and fall attorney can review your case and identify all potentially liable parties before seeking maximum compensation for your injuries. Consulting a local injury lawyer is important to ensure all liable parties are identified and held accountable.
What Is Needed to Prove Fault in My Slip and Fall Injury Claim?
You must prove the following distinct elements to establish fault in a Denver slip and fall claim:
The property owner owed you a duty of care. That means establishing that the owner was responsible for maintaining a safe environment, free from dangerous conditions and hazards that threatened you as a guest, visitor, or patron.
The property owner failed in that duty. You must prove the property owner knew or should have reasonably known that the safety hazard existed on their property. You must also show the property owner did not take appropriate steps to warn others of the safety hazard or correct the problem.
The hazard caused your injury. You must show that the unaddressed hazard caused your injury and that you suffered specific losses such as medical expenses or pain and suffering as a result.
It takes considerable evidence to prove these elements and establish liability for a slip and fall accident. Let an experienced attorney collect and preserve evidence and build a compelling claim so you can focus on recovering from your injuries. Evidence is crucial in slip and fall cases to secure the compensation you deserve.
Does Colorado Have a Time Limit for Filing a Slip and Fall Injury Lawsuit?
Colorado law limits the time you have to file a personal injury lawsuit to two years from the date of the accident. If you cannot file by the deadline, the court will dismiss your case. Talk to a lawyer as soon as possible to avoid losing powerful leverage and the ability to seek maximum compensation for your losses. Slip and fall accidents can lead to serious injuries, including traumatic brain injuries, making timely legal action crucial to protect your future.
Steps in the Slip and Fall Lawsuit Process
Every slip and fall case is different. Some accidents occur on government property and result in relatively minor injuries, while others happen at a business and lead to serious harm. The facts might differ, but the process these cases follow is generally the same. The most common steps include:
Case Evaluation
First, our attorneys discuss your accident during a private consultation. We review the facts, answer your questions, and help you understand whether or not you have a viable claim for compensation.
Evidence Collection
If our Denver slip and fall attorneys take your case, we immediately begin gathering evidence. We usually start by seeking incident reports, which are common when falls happen in businesses or government buildings. Other useful evidence in these cases includes medical bills, video footage, and witness statements.
Negotiating With The Other Side
We typically attempt to resolve each case through settlement before pursuing any litigation. This starts with sending a demand letter, a formal communication requesting payment in exchange for a promise not to sue. It is not uncommon for our attorneys to reach a settlement without ever filing a lawsuit.
Filing a Lawsuit
If negotiations fail, we file a formal complaint in court. This begins the litigation process, which includes discovery, depositions, and potentially mediation. Throughout this stage, our team will keep you updated on the progress of your case.
Resolving Your Case
If your case proceeds to trial, our experienced attorneys will present the strongest possible case using the evidence we collected. Up until the last possible moment, we will also work to settle your claim.
Special Rules for Claims Against Government Entities
The rules are different when it comes to filing slip and fall injury claims against the government. The outcome of these accidents might be the same, but there are additional hoops you will have to jump through to sue a governmental entity compared to a homeowner or business.
Before you can file a lawsuit against a government agency, you will first have to submit a written notice of claim within 180 days of the incident. This notice must include specific details of your fall with the purpose of giving the government advanced notice of your claim. If you don’t meet this notice requirement, you could be barred from pursuing compensation at all.
These additional complications stem from a doctrine called sovereign immunity. While citizens generally can’t sue the government for damages, there are situations in which the state waives this protection. However, they often impose additional requirements that make the process challenging. Our slip and fall accident lawyers are here to help you get the outcome you deserve in these cases.
Why You Should Hire a Local Slip and Fall Lawyer
Hiring a slip and fall attorney in Denver can make a tremendous difference in the outcome of your case. Local lawyers can provide you with the kind of in-depth guidance that comes with handling cases like yours in Denver courtrooms. Our team can also rely on our experience to share insights into local court procedures and judges.
Our team is proud to offer personal attention backed by decades of experience helping Denver residents recover what they are owed. Put your trust in our slip and attorneys, because Wilhite Wins. Call today to discuss your options during a free consultation.
Contact a Denver Slip and Fall Injury Attorney Today
Has a slip and fall accident upended your life? Let The Wilhite Law Firm’s lawyers help you rebuild. Our attorneys are passionate about pursuing justice and compensation for accident victims in the Denver area. Contact our office today and arrange a free consultation 24/7.
Hands down the best law firm in Colorado. I would highly recommend this law office to friends and family.
Fernanda Vargas
5 star service. They explained the process in detail and got great results. Thanks again!
Merari Hernandez
I’m so glad I reached out to Wilhite Law Firm after I was injured in a car accident. They made the process super easy. Thank you!
Carolay Rodriguez Torres
I had a great experience with Marianella. They got me the maximum out of my case! I would recommend them to anyone!
Beltrán Rodriguez
Great staff! They are always available to answer questions and concerns and care about their clients!
Edna Morán
I was extremely happy with the results that was achieved by my attorney at Wilhite Law Firm. Thanks Marianella!
Cristina Jiménez Durán
Excellent service, very grateful for the professionalism, attention throughout my process and the human quality of Mateo López.
Sebastian Tovar
I would like to thank Marianella from the Wilhite law firm for the hard work in getting a full policy limit from both insurances in my case. Highly recommend!
Alejandro
Marianella helped me get the compensation I deserved for my injuries and also made sure that I received the proper medical care I needed. Thank you!
Jorge Lopez
I had the pleasure of working with Vanessa and Marianella, who handled my case. They were very professional and great at communication.
Did you fall and injure yourself on someone else’s property? If so, you need to discuss your situation with a knowledgeable 
Has a slip and fall accident upended your life? Let The Wilhite Law Firm’s lawyers help you rebuild. 
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