Facts About Premise Liability Policy For Small Business Owners

Posted on July 23, 2021 by admin

Slip and fall injuries can and do happen on the premises owned or controlled by business owners, small and big alike. All businesses should have general liability insurance and premise liability insurance for a commercial property and their business in general. Small and big employers and their employees are sometimes “negligent”, which basically means failing to use due care. If a business is negligent, they can and should be held liable for resulting injuries and damages to their patrons. If a business is found to be negligent by a judge or jury, their insurance carrier will pay for any verdict against the company.

Continue reading to learn about premise liability policy protection and who to call for pertinent advice and information about this topic and more.

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General Liability Insurance for Small Businesses

Not only is it important to retain this kind of insurance, it is also important to obtain the right amount of coverage. Having enough coverage is necessary for proper protection for the business and to provide for full compensation for a patron injured as a result of negligence. An experienced insurance agent can provide accurate assessments for a business’s particular policy coverage needs although in general, the more coverage you have the better.

For such insurance policies, a business pays a monthly or quarterly premium for their insurance coverage. This premium promises an insurance defense attorney to fight their case, as well as a money reserve to cover any court-ordered retributions or remunerations awarded against them by a verdict or for funds to use to obtain a settlement. This is another reason supporting the importance of having enough liability coverage.

Premise Care and Maintenance

Businesses have a legal obligation to provide a safe premise for anyone invited or welcomed onto their property. It is important to properly inspect, maintain and care for their property, inside and out, so people are not injured. This means proper inspections, floor cleaning, repair, and maintenance, as well as routine snow shoveling and salting, pathway clearing, concrete repair, and much more. It would also includes reviewing and ensuring that the property meets all safety rules, codes and ordinances.

It is also their duty and legal obligation to supervise employees and staff within their business as businesses can only act through their owners, officers, agents and employees. If any of these persons were negligent and contributed to causing a person’s injuries, the business itself is held responsible under Indiana law. Thus, it is important to make sure all employees are fully aware of the importance of premises safety for any business.

Hire an Indianapolis Personal Injury Lawyer if You are Hurt in a Slip and Fall Accident

If you were recently injured in a slip and fall accident, contact a licensed Indianapolis slip and fall lawyer for professional legal advice and information. You may be entitled to legal compensation for your damages and losses.

Were you seriously injured in a slip and fall accident in Indiana? Contact the accident attorneys at Craven, Hoover, and Blazek P.C. to schedule a free consultation with an Indianapolis Indiana slip and fall lawyer, today at 317-881-2700. We are happy to discuss your case over the phone, via Zoom, at your home or in person at our office. We have also successfully represented premises liability cases for big box stores like Walmart, Lowes, and Menards. We represent injured victims throughout the state of Indiana.

You Should Also Read:

Important Injury Lawsuit Information for Slip, Trip, and Fall Accidents
What Causes the Most Slip and Fall Accidents?
What Physical Evidence Should I Keep for a Slip and Fall Claim?

Indianapolis Personal Injury Lawyers 317-881-2700 — Schedule a Free Consultation!

Frequently Asked Questions About Indiana Slip and Fall Lawsuits

Posted on June 15, 2021 by admin

When a slip and fall accident in Indiana causes you severe injuries, you can expect to also suffer several other types of losses, like mental and emotional anguish, lost wages, and medical bills. If your accident occurred as a result of another’s negligence, you need professional personal injury representation to successfully recover the maximum settlement you are owed for your damages and losses.

Not sure where to begin as a wrongfully injured victim? Continue below to review some frequently asked questions about slip and fall lawsuits, including how to find the right Indiana accident law firm for your claim.

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Slip and Fall Accident FAQS

Do I Need to Hire an Accident Lawyer for My Slip and Fall Injury Claim?

If your slip and fall accident and subsequent injuries were caused by another’s negligence, you are highly encouraged to hire a personal injury lawyer to prove your damages and obtain the full and fair compensation you deserve. As the claimant, you have the burden of proving not only liability, but also damages and losses, past, current, and future. For this reason, a personal injury lawyer is a vital asset, as they have a full comprehension of the laws and therefore, retains the skills and acumen needed to prove your case. They navigate all the legal complexities of your claim, allowing you to put all of your focus on your own physical, mental, and emotional recovery.

How Will My Indiana Slip and Fall Lawyer Prove My Damages and Losses?

The primary aspect of a slip and fall accident claim is to identify the at-fault party. Who is ultimately responsible for the circumstances that made the accident take place? There can sometimes be more than one at-fault party. Your slip and fall lawyer will implement their legal resources to investigate every detail surrounding the accident and overall case, thus gathering the needed evidence to prove liability and duty of care owed.

Once your lawyer proves liability, they will then prove how the at-fault party was negligent, and how that negligence was a responsible cause of the accident and resulting injuries. Then they will present all evidence that proves your injuries and subsequent damages and losses. Such losses include pain, suffering, mental and emotional anguish, as well as lost wages from missing work, hospital bills, medical expenses, and more.

What are Some Common Types of Negligence That Cause Slip and Fall Accidents?

Some of the most common types of negligence that cause slip and fall accidents include wet or slippery floors with no warning signs nearby, crumbling or unlevel steps, torn carpeting, poor lighting, broken stair rails, poorly-maintained pavements, frozen ice on walkways that were not treated with deicer salts and spills on floors that are not cleaned up in a timely manner.

Can I Sue the Person or Company Responsible for My Slip and Fall Accident?

If your slip and fall accident occurred because another person or party acted negligently and failed to uphold their duty of reasonable care to protect you from harm, you should be able to bring a personal injury claim against them in order to obtain compensation for your damages and losses. You should consult with a skilled and experienced Indiana personal injury attorney to learn your eligibility to pursue legal action against a negligent party, and to professionally represent your claim. Most claims are settled out of court, but a competent law firm needs to be willing and ready to take your case to trial to ensure you receive the maximum settlement or verdict for your claim if necessary.

Are you ready to get started with your slip and fall injury claim in Indiana? Contact the accident attorneys at Craven, Hoover, and Blazek P.C. to schedule a free consultation with an Indianapolis Indiana slip and fall lawyer, today at 888-881-2700. We are happy to discuss your case over the phone, via Zoom, at your home or in person at our office. We represent injured people and wrongful death cases for clients throughout the state of Indiana.

You Should Also Read:

Common Slip and Fall Code Violations
3 Lies About Slip and Fall Accident Cases
The Key Liability Questions in Slip and Fall Lawsuit

How the Law Holds Property Owners Accountable for Negligence

Posted on April 26, 2021 by admin

Premise Liability Law is a set of ordinances that hold property owners liable and responsible for any harm or damages caused to people that are on their premises. This liability differs depending on whether the injured person was invited onto the property, licensed to enter the property, or someone who has trespassed onto the property. Continue reading to learn more about premise liability law, and how it protects you against being wrongfully injured by a negligent store or property owner.

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What is Considered One’s Premises?

Property premise is defined as inside and outside the property, including sidewalks and access property. Such cases of premise liability have involved slip and fall accidents, structural hazards, victims of violence and assault, food poisoning, animal bites and attacks, and more. More detailed reports of past premise liability cases were dead tree branches, poorly maintained public stores, swimming pool accidents, pet bites and animal attacks, driveway car accidents, unlevelled sidewalks, restaurant food poisoning, and bonfire accidents.

Premise Liability Organizations

Important organizations related to premise liability law in Indianapolis, IN are the American Tort Reform Association (ATRA), the National Association of Insurance Commissioners (NAIC), and the National Center for Injury Prevention and Control (NCIPC). These associations have dedicated years of combined efforts to reform the law and rights of injured individuals. The American Tort Reform Association was created in 1986. The Association’s creed is preserving the American civil justice system’s efficiency, predictability, and fairness.

The National Association of Insurance Commissioners seems like an unlikely ally in the premise liability law world. But, in fact, this association has worked endlessly to promote markets, protect the public’s interest, implement equal and fair service of insurance customers, promote reliability of insurance companies, and the improve the state’s regulation of insurance. Finally, the National Center for Injury Prevention and Control was established 20 years ago to promote safety and injury prevention across the country and works closely with research institutions to get closer to their goals.

Talk to an Experienced Premise Liability Lawyer

If you think you may have been involved in a premise liability accident, it is important to contact an experienced personal injury attorney right away. Depending on the circumstance of your case, you may have a valid legal claim for compensation. You can pursue a personal injury claim to recover financial restitution for lost wages, emotional distress, hospital bills, medical expenses, legal fees, prolonged therapy, pain, suffering, and much more.

Were you injured on someone’s property because they were careless? Contact the accident attorneys at Craven, Hoover, and Blazek P.C. at 317-881-2700 to schedule a free consultation with a seasoned personal injury attorney in Indianapolis, Indiana. We also specialize in slip and fall accident cases.

You Should Also Read:

A Store’s Obligation to Maintain Safe Premises
What is Premise Liability?
How Do I Sue a Store for My Injuries?

Important Injury Lawsuit Information for Slip, Trip, and Fall Accidents

Posted on April 6, 2021 by admin

Usually, when a personal injury attorney hears the term, “premises liability”, the first thing that will come to mind is slip and fall accidents, as they are among the most common personal injury cases in the United States. Such lawsuits fall under an area of tort law called premises liability, which are generally based on whether or not the proprietor allowed a foreseeable and dangerous condition to continue or failed to use reasonable care to discover a dangerous condition without correcting or blocking off the hazard.

If you are a recent slip and fall accident victim, be sure to consult with an experienced premises liability attorney as soon as possible. In the meantime, continue reading to learn more about slip and fall accident claims, including how to get started on yours as soon as possible.

Indiana Slip Fall Injury Lawyers 317-881-2700

Slip and Fall Premises Liability Accident Claims

A slip, trip, or fall injury is pretty self-explanatory. It occurs when a person slips or trips on a hazard and loses balance and falls, usually to the ground, subsequently suffering injury. If this type of accident occurs in a public place, a place of business, or another person’s property, there can be legal repercussions for the premise owner and their insurance carrier. The accident victim can legally pursue compensation for their injuries, and may be rewarded compensation if the opposing party(ies) is/are found 50% or more at fault.

If a person is injured, and wishes to pursue compensation for their damages, they must be able to prove fault. Many aspects of a slip and fall case are examined in order to justify who is responsible for such an accident. A jury looks at the premise owner, managers or other potentially at-fault parties and evaluates whether or not they acted carefully in order to prevent any slips, trips, or falls.

Other areas are considered as well in order to determine who is responsible for the accident. Things like poor lighting, torn carpets, uneven flooring, crumbling sidewalks, puddles, and more are all common hazards that cause slip and fall injuries. Weather conditions like rain, ice, and snow are also common culprits for slip, trip, and fall accidents.

Property Owners Have a Legal Duty of Care to Maintain a Safe and Hazard-Free Environment

If a person slips in a supermarket because there is water on the floor, and there is no “WET FLOOR” sign, they could be entitled to compensation for their injuries because the store was responsible for the wet spot and negligent about cleaning it up in a timely manner to prevent harming customers. Property owners can also be negligent by failing to conduct inspections to find dangerous conditions on their property.

Are you a recent slip, trip, or fall accident victim who is looking for a qualified personal injury lawyer? Contact the Law Office of Craven, Hoover, and Blazek P.C. at 317-881-2700 and schedule a free consultation with a seasoned slip and fall attorney in Indianapolis, Indiana. There is no need to travel, as our lawyers are happy to conduct meetings via phone or internet. We represent injured persons throughout the State of Indiana.

You Might Also Like:

What is Premise Liability?
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Is the Landlord Responsible for an Apartment Slip and Fall Accident?

The Key Liability Questions in Slip and Fall Lawsuit

Posted on December 8, 2020 by admin

Accidents happen, as we all have come to learn. But when they happen on someone else’s property due to negligence, the principle of legal liability must come into play. Slip and fall accidents are among the most common premise liability lawsuits in Indiana, and they typically result in several different types of damages suffered by the injured victim, including hospital bills, medical expenses, time missed at work, prolonged physical therapy, pain and suffering, and more.

If you were injured on another’s property, whether a commercial place or a home, you could be entitled to certain compensation if you were not at fault for the accident and the property owner or possessor of the property was. There are some key liability questions to ask in a slip and fall lawsuit that can help you determine the path of your case.

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Slip and Fall Liability Facts

When it comes to a slip and fall case, it is the claimant that has the burden of proving that the property owner or possessor was negligent, and that their negligence was one of the responsible causes of the accident and subsequent injuries they’ve suffered. In order for it to be proven that a property owner or possessor is legally responsible for a victim’s slip and fall accident, liability has to be established.

The two primary questions that must be answered to accomplish this are:

► Which parties involved in the case are potentially liable? There can be several parties involved in one personal injury case, all of which could be potentially liable. Possible examples of liable parties in a slip and fall lawsuit include property owners, proprietors, managers, store owners, maintenance contractors, property managers, etc…

► Were the parties indeed negligent or careless? After identifying which parties involved in a slip and fall case could be potentially liable, consider whether or not they actually acted, or failed to act, in a way that caused the accident. For instance, a store owner failing to clean up a broken pickle jar within a reasonable amount of time. Property owners and/or possessors have a duty to exercise reasonable care for persons invited onto the property. It is important to hire a personal injury attorney right away, as surveillance video evidence regarding the fall and when the last inspection of the area of the fall occurred are extremely important in a slip and fall case.

Proving Your Slip and Fall Case

As an injured victim who has suffered damages as a result of a slip and fall accident in Indiana, you need a skilled and experienced personal injury lawyer to fight for your right to full and fair compensation. They have the knowledge and resources to document an impactful case proving your damages, as well as your use of reasonable care regarding the accident. You see, property owners and their insurance carriers will try to argue that it was the victim’s fault they slipped and fell on their property. Such arguments will need to be refuted by your attorney.

Your Trusted Indiana Slip and Fall Lawyers

Call the Law Office of Craven, Hoover, and Blazek P.C. at 317-881-2700 to speak with an experienced Indianapolis personal injury attorney who handles Indiana slip and fall claims. Seasoned attorneys, Daniel Craven, Ralph Hoover, and Keith Blazek are equipped to recover the full and fair amount of compensation you deserve after being seriously injured at a store or on another’s property. Recover for damages and losses, including medical expenses, hospital bills, lost wages, and more. We represent injured victims all throughout the State of Indiana, so get started with a free consultation, today.

Slip and Fall Accidents

Posted on November 10, 2020 by admin

Slip and fall accidents that happen on a business’s premises can cause serious injuries, which can result in serious lawsuits. There are plenty of precautions business owners can and should take to drastically reduce the likelihood of slip and fall and other fall accidents. Continue reading to learn more about a property owner’s duty of care to maintain a safe premises as a property owner.

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A Business’s Legal Duty of Care

In all states, property owners, including businesses, have a legal responsibility to ensure their premises are safe and free of foreseeable hazards, for both guests and staff. This is referred to as a duty of care, and it is the law. Any store or commercial space that invites people in or onto their property is required to fulfill this legal duty, including retail stores, business centers, offices, service providers, hotels, restaurants, markets, and more.

Business owners are expected to use a high level of caution to make sure their property is safe for all. Such responsibilities include making repairs as needed, making updates and renovations as needed, implementing routine inspections, staying up to code on all systems, implementing routine cleaning and maintenance, and post warnings in trouble areas.

When a business neglects or fails to uphold their duty of care, whether through action or inaction, they can be held liable for any resulting damages and losses suffered by the accident victim. Such damages include medical expenses, hospital bills, lost wages, pain and suffering, and much more. If a property owner knows of or should have known of a hazard that causes a victim harm, the property or business owner can be found at-fault and responsible for compensating for the injured person’s damages.

Slip and Fall Accidents and Lawsuits

Among store-related personal injuries, slip, trip, and fall accidents are one of the most common. Fortunately, slip and fall accidents can and should be easily prevented by implementing some vital deterrents, and by staying vigilant at all times. Unfortunately, a lot of businesses fail to stay vigilant and people get hurt. Property and business owners should maintain full insurance coverage under a general liability policy, as well as, stay current on all repairs, inspections, maintenance, cleaning, and posted warning signs.

General Liability Insurance for Businesses

As a business owner, it is wise to acquire a comprehensive general liability policy through a trusted insurance provider. These policies typically come standard with coverage for a defense attorney in the case that you are sued for a slip and fall accident, as well as a fund to pay for any settlement for an accident victim.

Common Causes of Slip, Trip, and Fall Accidents

Here are the most common reasons why slip and fall accidents happen on commercial properties and businesses:

► Exposed Cords, Wires, Ropes, and Similar Obstructions
► Crumbling or Unleveled Curbs and Stairs
► Ripped, Peeling, or Bunched Carpeting
► Loose, Sliding Rugs
► Insufficient Lighting in Stairwells
► Insufficient Lighting in Entry and Exits
► Leaks, Liquids, and Spills on Ground or Floors
► Negligent Snow and Ice Removal/Maintenance
► Insufficient Cleaning and Maintenance
► Unleveled Walkways and Flooring
► Improperly or Negligently Placed Furniture
► Insufficient or non-existent inspections for these issues

Who to Call for Advice About Slip and Fall Accident Claims in Indiana

If you were hurt in a slip and fall accident in Indiana due to a negligent store or business, call the Law Firm of Craven, Hoover, and Blazek P.C. at 317-881-2700 as soon as possible to learn your rights to pursuing legal action. Our personal injury lawyers have extensive litigation and trial experience, and are well-versed in premises liability law. We have successfully represented numerous slip and fall and other fall accident victims in Indiana. Our personal injury law firm also offers free initial consultations, free parking, 24 hour phone services, Spanish speaking staffs, and much more. Best of all, we never collect attorney fees unless we obtain a settlement or judgment for you. Start today and schedule a free case evaluation.

How to Make a Slip and Fall Injury Claim in Indiana

Posted on February 19, 2019 by admin

The primary priorities to making any personal injury claim is to seek medical attention, gather and protect your evidence, hire an experienced personal injury attorney, and take the correct legal actions, all from the moments your accident occurs. When it comes to slip, trip, and fall claims, these priorities are no different.

Continue reading to learn how you should manage and navigate a slip and fall injury and accident claim in Indiana.

Indianapolis Slip and Fall Lawyers 317-881-2700

Slip, Trip and Fall Accidents

The first few actions (or non-actions) made by a slip and fall victim can mean all the difference in terms of establishing fault and liability. It is important to take the right legal actions from the very moments a slip and fall accident takes place in order to protect your claim and ultimately win your settlement for compensation. Below, you will find some information and advice regarding what a slip and fall victim (or claimant representing a victim) should do to move forward with a personal injury claim.

► Immediately Report the Incident

The first step after slipping and falling on public or private property is to notify the owners or persons in charge. For commercial properties, such as retail stores or restaurants, ask for the highest ranking person on duty and report the accident. Just be brief by simply stating where you fell, which obstruction caused the fall (torn carpet, uneven floorboard, wire or cord, puddle, ice, poor lighting, etc.), and where you are hurting. For public grounds, like parks and city streets, notify the town or city the same day, both by phone call and written notification. If the injury is too severe, notify the city or town as soon as your health permits. This is especially important for accidents that take place without any witnesses.

IMPORTANT: If your slip and fall injuries are severe and require emergency medical attention, make this step the first priority. Once stable, you can move forward with the remainder of the accident claim process. You can also appoint a spouse, relative, or friend to help you report the incident and gather evidence.

► Ask for Witness Information

The next step in moving forward with a personal injury claim, which may need to be carried out by a trusted friend or family member depending on the severity of your injury, is to get all the contact information from anyone that may have witnessed the accident. Be sure to record their full names, phone numbers, and email addresses. If they are willing to give additional contact information, take that as well. Keep in mind that witness testimony plays a major role in winning a personal injury settlement.

► Gather Evidence

Your next step is to take and gather photos and video recordings. Again, this might have to be done by a friend or family member depending on the severity of your injuries. Photos and video (if possible) should be taken as soon as possible after the accident. All footage should be taken at multiple angles, and should capture the hazardous environment or obstruction, the condition of the victim, the victim’s injury and the condition of the injury in the days following the accident.

All these photos and videos must be done BEFORE any changes to the environment occur or any evidence is lost (i.e. melting snow or ice, missing lightbulb, puddle, spilled food, etc.). The more evidence you have, the stronger your chances are for obtaining a full and fair settlement to cover your damages. Ask whoever is in charge to retain any video surveillance of the fall and if you can do the request in writing, do so. Normally, you should request the person to retain any video surveillance for the entire day of your fall.

► Seek Medical Care

A person should seek medical treatment the same day, or as soon as they are experiencing pain or complications from the accident. Sometimes injuries are not present right away, and tend to show up days or weeks following the accident. This is common for neck and back injuries. Insurance companies will argue that a person wasn’t seriously injured enough to receive compensation if they didn’t require immediate professional medical care. Medical treatment is evidence that a slip and fall victim is injured and the doctor’s diagnosis and victim’s medical records are evidence for a case.

► Hire a Slip and Fall Lawyer

Before talking to any insurance companies or adjusters, it is vital to hire a personal injury lawyer first. It is crucial to have an experienced slip and fall lawyer on your side during the entire personal injury claims process.

Indiana Slip and Fall Lawyers You Can Trust

Get started on your slip and fall claim by calling the Law Office of Craven, Hoover, and Blazek P.C. at 317-881-2700 in Indianapolis, Indiana. Although based out of Indy, our law firm represents victims throughout the state, as well as, out-of-state victims who are injured in Indiana. We offer free initial consultations to discuss your claim, and never require any upfront lawyer fees. Call 317-881-2700 to schedule your consultation, today.

What Causes the Most Slip and Fall Accidents?

Posted on September 24, 2018 by admin

There are many reasons why slip and fall accidents happen. However, when it comes to personal injury claims, the most serious slip and fall accidents seem to stem from the same types of negligence. Continue reading to learn some of the most common causes for slip, trip, and fall accidents, as well as, how to get started on your injury claim.

Indianapolis Slip and Fall Lawyers 317-881-2700

Slip and Fall Accidents

Slip and fall accidents are generally caused by hazardous surface conditions, such as wet floors, uneven walkways, and poorly maintained parking lots. Here are some examples of the most common causes for slip and fall accidents:

⚠ Wet or Slippery Floors

⚠ Cracked Sidewalks

⚠ Defective Escalators

⚠ Defective Moving Walkways

⚠ Jagged Walkways

⚠ Uneven Steps

⚠ Broken Tiles

⚠ Torn Carpets

⚠ Insufficient Lighting

⚠ Pathway Obstructions (debris, rubble, electrical cords, etc.)

⚠ Broken Ramps

⚠ Construction Zones

⚠ Grease or Oil Spills

⚠ Loose or Missing Handrails

⚠ Open Desk Drawers

⚠ Failure to Remove Hazards

⚠ Failure to Remove Snow or Ice

⚠ Defective Ladders

⚠ Building Code violations

⚠ Failure to Post Warning Signs for Floors or Steps

If You Were Hurt in a Slip and Fall Accident

Rights surrounding slip and fall victims vary from state to state, so the circumstances for recovering compensation will likely differ. But across the board, commercial, public, and residential property owners have a legal responsibility to ensure their premises are safe and hazard-free in order to protect any visitors from potential harm. Please see our blog, “A Store’s Obligation to Maintain Safe Premises” to learn more about store owner liability.

Here in Indiana, victims of slip and fall accidents are protected under Indiana Premises Liability law. This means if you slip and fall on another person’s property and suffer serious injuries, you may be entitled to legal compensation for your damages. It is vital that you discuss your accident and injuries with a seasoned Indianapolis slip and fall lawyer for help making a claim.

Indianapolis Slip and Fall Lawyers You Can Trust

Personal Injury Law Firm
317-881-2700

Call The Law Firm of Craven, Hoover, and Blazek P.C. at 317-881-2700 if you would like to file a personal injury claim for a slip and fall accident in Indianapolis, Indiana or anywhere in Indiana. Our seasoned accident attorneys are eager to recover the full and fair compensation you deserve. We offer free initial consultations and never collect lawyer fees unless we prevail for you.

What Physical Evidence Should I Keep for a Slip and Fall Claim?

Posted on August 23, 2016 by admin

Indianapolis Slip and Fall Lawyers 317-881-2700

According to the National Floor Safety Institute, over one million slip and fall victims are sent to the ER each year. With numbers like these, it is important to make floor and walking safety a priority. But regardless of how careful you are, there is always a possibility for accidents to happen, especially when another person or entity has been negligent in maintaining a certain duty of care.

In this case, you would need an experienced personal injury lawyer to navigate your case and recover the full and fair compensation you deserve after wrongfully suffering losses and damages as a result of a slip and fall accident. And although your attorney will conduct an in-depth and thorough investigation, it is important to collect certain important pieces of evidence yourself directly after an accident; evidence that your attorney would not have access to days after the incident occurred. These evidences will help prove your case to the courts and the opposing party.

Continue reading to learn what evidence to gather up after being injured in a slip, trip, and fall accident for a stronger chance at winning a fair settlement.

Scene of the Accident Footage

It is understandably difficult to collect footage at the scene of your accident when you are seriously hurt, but it is critical to your case to try. If you are too injured or incapacitated to gather this evidence yourself, you should ask a witness, bystander, friend, relative, or police officer to help you. Take as many pictures and video footage as you can of your injuries and the surroundings.

Include a picture of your entire body, your injuries, the area you slipped, tripped, or fell, as well as, the surface of the floor, nearby signs (or lack of signs), water puddles, snow, liquids, spills, frayed carpeting, unleveled surfaces, poor lighting, dangerous conditions, and more. Collect footage of anything that could have influenced the accident to happen. Video is best, but photos are effective too.

Clothing and Apparel

Another important piece of physical evidence that can help your case is the clothing you were wearing the moment of the accident. This includes your outfit and your shoes, as well as, any outerwear. If you are trying to prove that the floor you injured yourself on was dangerous, you may need to also prove that you were dressed reasonably and that your apparel did not contribute to your accident. Physical photos and clothing can help confirm this. For instance, if a woman was wearing high heeled shoes on a snowy day, this evidence would be used against her in a slip and fall injury case. But if you fell on a dry day wearing sneakers, the evidence helps prove your footwear was not a cause for your fall.

Physical evidence can also include witness statements, video footage, medical records, hospital bills, and more, but it is only a tiny fraction of a victorious slip and fall personal injury case. Fore this reason, it is an important to retain a seasoned accident attorney to recover the full and fair compensation you deserve. They have the knowledge and hands-on experience to obtain the settlement you need to cover all your related losses and damages.

Indianapolis Slip and Fall Attorneys

Craven Hoover Blazek Personal Injury Law 317-881-2700

Call Craven, Hoover, and Blazek P.C. at 317-881-2700 to discuss a slip and fall accident in Indianapolis, Indiana. Our seasoned slip and fall accident lawyers, Daniel Craven, Ralph Hoover, and Keith Blazek are eager to recover what’s rightfully owed to you after suffering injuries from a slip, trip, or fall accident. We offer free initial consultations and never collect lawyer fees unless we prevail for you. Call 317-881-2700 to schedule an appointment with an Indianapolis personal injury lawyer, today.

A Store’s Obligation to Maintain Safe Premises

Posted on January 26, 2015 by admin

All commercial stores are obligated under law to maintain safe and hazard-free premises for customers, guests, clients, and employees alike. This protects people from being seriously injured. One of the most common commercial store injuries are slip, trip, and fall accidents. Failure to maintain a safe environment for the public can result in such accidents, and unfortunately, they are very common.

Whether this type of accident occurs at a department store, retail store, small shop, restaurant, gym, cinema, or any other commercial property open to the public, it is either the business or victim’s fault. In a slip and fall case, the most complex part is proving that a store is liable for a person’s injuries. A personal injury attorney must present to the court proof that the store did not take proper precaution to prevent an accident from happening.

The opposing party, often times the store’s insurance adjuster, will undertake the burden of proving that it was the injured victim’s negligence that caused the accident to occur, and that the store took all necessary precautions. If it can be proven that the store was kept in an unsafe condition, causing the accident to take place, then the plaintiff may receive remuneration for their damages.

Reasons for Slip and Fall Accidents

Indianapolis Accident Lawyers 317-881-2700 — Indianapolis Slip and Fall Lawyers 317-881-2700

The most common reason why slip and fall accidents happen has to do with precipitation. Rain, snow, and ice are the number one cause of slip, trip, and fall accidents. These are cases in which the store is generally not liable because of the obvious weather conditions. In these cases, the customer should have acted carefully knowing that surfaces are slipperier than usual due to the weather. Other reasons for slip and fall accidents include poor lighting, unleveled surfaces, changes in elevation, spills, leaks, constricted staircases, obstructions, and more. When any of these circumstances occur, it is the law that asks whether or not the store should have noticed the hazard in a reasonable amount of time and if they took prompt action to clean it up or remove it before anyone is hurt. The store’s accountability for a slip, trip, or fall accident with largely depend on these variables and more.

Store’s Liability in Regards to Personal Injuries

A commercial store may or may not be responsible for a person’s slip and fall. Depending on the situation, different scenarios will eventually determine who is liable for such an accident. For example, if a store applies a floor wax improperly or uses a product that is much too slippery, this could be considered negligence on their part. On the other hand, a person could have been intoxicated while walking around a grocery store and trip over an isle display. This, of course, would be the fault of the victim. These are basic examples, but in real-life, the scenarios are not so cut and dry. There are generally many complicated and complex details that make it difficult to decide who the negligent party actually is and why. This is the reason why slip and fall victims require professional legal counsel from a licensed personal injury attorney. They retain the resources, experience, and knowledge to facilitate a successful slip and fall claim.

Craven, Hoover, and Blazek P.C.

Call Craven, Hoover, and Blazek P.C. at 317-881-2700 to learn more about filing a slip and fall claim in Indianapolis, Indiana. Seasoned personal injury attorney, Daniel Craven, has extensive litigation and trial experience. Our law firm offers free initial consultation and never collects lawyer fees unless we prevail for you. We have also successfully represented premises liability cases for big box stores like Walmart, Lowes, and Menards. Call 317-881-2700 and speak with a slip and fall lawyer in Indianapolis, IN today.