Tag Archives: Slip and Fall claims

Slip and Fall Accidents in Indiana: What You Need to Know

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Slip and fall accidents can lead to serious injuries and life-altering consequences. In the state of Indiana, understanding the premises liability law is crucial if you find yourself involved in a slip and fall incident. This knowledge can provide you with the necessary legal framework should you decide to pursue a slip and fall lawsuit or claim. This blog post will unravel the intricacies of Indiana’s premises liability laws, shed light on how to navigate a slip and fall injury, and offer practical advice on protecting your rights and interests in these unfortunate circumstances.

Call 317-881-2700 to Speak With Our Slip and Fall Accident Lawyers in Indianapolis Indiana
Call 317-881-2700 to Speak With Our Slip and Fall Accident Lawyers in Indianapolis Indiana

Indiana’s Premises Liability Law

Premises liability is a legal concept that holds property owners, managers and possessors responsible for injuries and accidents that occur on their property. In the state of Indiana, this law applies to slip and fall accidents, making it essential for individuals to understand what constitutes premises liability. Under Indiana Code Section 34-31-11, property owners have a duty of care to provide a safe environment for anyone on their property, whether invited or uninvited.

This includes ensuring that the premises are free from any hazardous conditions and taking necessary measures to prevent accidents and injuries. For instance, if a customer slips on a wet floor at a grocery store, causing them to sustain injuries, the property owner or possessor can be held liable for failing to keep their premises safe and free from hazards that caused the accident. The victim could file a slip and fall accident claim and collect compensation for their damages, such as medical bills and lost wages.

Pursuing a Slip and Fall Lawsuit

If you have suffered a slip and fall injury on someone else’s property, you may be entitled to compensation through a slip and fall lawsuit. However, pursuing legal action can be complicated and requires a thorough understanding of the law. It’s crucial to seek the assistance of a knowledgeable personal injury lawyer who specializes in slip and fall cases. They can help you navigate the legal system and fight for your rights. In Indiana, there is a statute of limitations of two years from the date of the accident to file a slip and fall lawsuit.

What Victims Need to Prove in a Slip and Fall Case

To win a slip and fall lawsuit in Indiana, the victim must prove that the property owner was negligent. This means showing that the owner failed to fulfill their duty of providing a safe environment for visitors on their premises. Common examples of negligence in slip and fall cases include failure to repair or warn about hazardous conditions such as wet floors, loose carpeting, or icy walkways. You must also prove that the property owners, managers and/or  possessors knew or should have known about the dangerous condition prior to the fall. The most common types of injuries that slip and fall victims suffer include broken bones, head injuries, and back injuries.

Protecting Your Rights and Interests

In the aftermath of a slip and fall accident, it’s essential to take certain steps to protect your rights and interests. These include seeking immediate medical attention, documenting the incident by taking photos or videos of the scene, obtaining contact information from any witnesses, and reporting the accident to the property owner or manager. It’s also crucial to avoid making any statements or accepting any settlements from the property owner’s insurance company without consulting a lawyer first.

Conclusion

Slip and fall accidents can happen to anyone, at any time, in Indiana. Understanding premises liability law and your rights as an individual can help you navigate these unfortunate circumstances effectively. If you find yourself involved in a slip and fall injury, make sure to seek legal guidance immediately to protect your interests and hold the responsible parties accountable for their negligence. Remember, you have the right to compensation for any damages, including medical expenses, lost wages, and pain and suffering.

Would you like to speak with a seasoned civil litigator who knows how to deal with premises liability cases in Indiana? Contact the Law Office of Craven, Hoover, and Blazek P.C. at 317-881-2700 to schedule a free initial consultation with an experienced slip and fall lawyer in Indianapolis, Indiana. We represent injured victims all across the state, Indiana residents injured in other states and residents of other states injured in Indiana. In addition, we offer the option to hold meetings either by phone, at your residence, online, or at the hospital if necessary.

Related Posts:

Understanding the Legal Aspects of Slip and Fall Accidents in Indiana
10 Things to Know Before Filing a Slip and Fall Accident Claim
How to Get the Most Out of Your Slip and Fall Injury Claim

10 Things to Know Before Filing a Slip and Fall Accident Claim

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If you’ve been injured in a slip, trip, or fall accident, you may be entitled to compensation for your medical expenses, lost wages, pain and suffering, or other damages. You should hire a slip and fall attorney to represent you as soon as you can and there are some important things that you should know. Continue reading to review 10 essential tips to help make sure your case is successful.

Call 317-881-2700 to Speak With a Slip Fall Lawyer in Indianapolis IN
Call 317-881-2700 to Speak With a Slip Fall Lawyer in Indianapolis IN

Thinking About Filing a Slip and Fall Accident Claim?

Read Through These Tips First:

1. Document the Accident – Take pictures and video (if possible) of the hazard that caused your fall, as well as any injuries you sustained and any medical treatments you’ve received. This information may be needed to prove that you were indeed injured in a slip and fall accident.

2. Get Medical Treatment Immediately – It is important to seek medical treatment right away after an injury so that it can be documented in your medical records. Once your claim is filed, these records will be used to help determine the amount of compensation you deserve for your injuries and the defendant’s insurance company will want to review those records.

3. Request Property Owner Preserve Evidence – Make sure to request as soon as you can, in writing if possible and at the time of your fall if possible, that the property owner document the date, time and place of your fall and the names and addresses of any witnesses.  Also request that they retain any and all video surveillance of the area of your fall showing what made you fall and how the danger that made you fall got there and how long it had been there prior to your fall.

4. Notify the Property Owner – If your slip and fall accident occurred on someone else’s property, it is important to notify the owner or manager of that property as soon as possible so they can make a record of the incident and possibly attempt to fix the hazard that caused your injury so nobody else gets hurt.

5. Preserve Evidence – Don’t discard any clothing or items involved in the accident because they may contain evidence that could help prove liability in court. Also, document anything unusual about the conditions of the area where you were injured such as spills or broken stairs.

6. Speak With Witnesses – Witnesses at an accident scene are invaluable when it comes to proving fault in court. Make sure to get their contact information in case you need to speak with them later on.

7. Contact a Slip and Fall Attorney – It is always best to consult an experienced Indianapolis slip and fall lawyer before filing a claim or taking any legal action against the property owner and their insurance carrier. A slip and fall personal injury attorney will be able to review your case and advise you of your legal rights and options for seeking compensation.

8. Understand the Statute of Limitations – Each state has its own statute of limitations governing how long after an injury you have to file a claim. Make sure that you are aware of this time period because if you miss it, your right to seek compensation could be lost forever. In Indiana, you have 2 years from the date of the accident to file a slip and fall claim in most cases, excluding those involving governmental entities.

9. Gather Financial Documents – Make sure to have all medical records, medical bills and other financial documents related to your accident claim on hand before filing a claim with an insurance company or going to court. This will help you prove the amount of compensation that you are entitled to.

10. Negotiate a Settlement – If the property owner’s insurance company offers you a settlement, make sure to get legal advice from your slip and fall attorney before accepting it as it may not be sufficient enough to cover all of your damages. Your attorney can help negotiate a more favorable settlement if necessary and can advise you on what the ramifications of a settlement would be.

Conclusion

These 10 tips should give you an idea of what is involved in filing a slip and fall accident claim. Remember that it is important to act quickly after an accident and seek legal advice from a qualified slip and fall attorney who can help you get the compensation you deserve for your injuries.

Having this information clearly documented will make it easier for both your lawyer and the court and jury to understand the full extent of your damages. This type of evidence can also be used to help prove the damage amount in court or during settlement negotiations. Keeping track of all related expenses such as medical bills and lost wages will also be beneficial for your case.

Are you ready to learn more about your rights and eligibility as a personal injury victim or defendant?  Contact Craven, Hoover & Blazek, P.C. at 317-881-2700 to schedule a no-fee personal injury consultation with a trusted and professional slip and fall lawyer in Indianapolis, today. We represent clients all throughout the state, even if you are an Indiana resident who was injured in another state, or an out-of-town visitor injured in Indiana.

Related Posts:

How to Get the Most Out of Your Slip and Fall Injury Claim
The Two Main Types of Construction Site Slip and Fall Accidents
What Accident Victims Must Prove to Win a Slip and Fall Case

The Key Liability Questions in Slip and Fall Lawsuit

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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.

Indiana Slip and Fall Lawyers
Indiana Slip and Fall Lawyers 317-881-2700

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 specializes in 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.

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

Advice on Winter Floor Protection for Commercial Businesses

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With winter comes snow, ice, excess precipitation, and needless-to-say, a lot of extra mess to clean up. It seems there is no feat to stopping pets, people, and shoes from dragging dirty wet snow and freezing ice into our homes and offices. Not only does this add a few extra hours of clean-up time each week, it can also greatly damage flooring. Wood floors, laminate flooring, tile floors, and carpeting can be destroyed in as little time as one winter season. These elements also cause hazardous conditions for people and employees.

Slip, trip, and fall accidents happen the most in the wintertime, and mostly due to the fact that floors are not cared for properly. Many worker’s compensation and liability lawsuits can be avoided with simple routine floor care, especially in the cold season. Fortunately, there are ways to combat the winter mess and protect our flooring from salt, snow, ice, and more. Continue reading to learn how to protect your business’s flooring and who to trust for worker’s compensation and slip, trip, and fall accidents lawsuits in Indianapolis.

Slip and Fall Lawyers 317-881-2700

Slip and Fall Lawyers 317-881-2700

Responsible Floor Care and Maintenance

One of the easiest and instant improvements a business owner can make to their office is floor mats. You would be surprised just how much moisture and water these mats can collect with a few steps or stomps. Entrance mats, door mats, kitchen and break room mats, and more can be placed all over the office areas in order to prevent excess moisture on the floor. Not only do these mats collect water and snow, they also reduce the amount of salt that is drawn in by foot traffic. Salt is very damaging to certain floor types, and can cause fading, peeling, deterioration, discoloration, and more. The most important advantage of entrance mats is they reduce conditions for slipping and falling. Floor mats are inexpensive and come in various different sizes, colors, and shapes, so it is easy to find the right mat for the surface you intend to protect.

Wet floor signs are another tool that is widely beneficial to a commercial property. Although people understand that a floor might be wet from winter precipitation, it is a safety precaution to advise customers, employees, and guests that certain areas are wet and slippery. This can also greatly reduce slip, trip, and fall accidents. On extra snowy days, place these signs in areas where traffic is at its highest, mostly by front doors and restrooms. This is where excess water tends to collect from foot traffic. By advising people of a wet floor, a business owner can evade a liability lawsuit for injuries and accidents too. These floor signs can be purchased at any home goods store or hardware store for a reasonable price. It is recommended to have at least two wet floor signs per 500 square feet of property.

The last, but equally if not most important, strategy for winter floor safety and protection is routine maintenance and cleaning. This includes daily, weekly, and monthly cleaning duties, as well as, increased vacuuming. Daily duties include dry mopping, sweeping, and vacuuming all flooring. Weekly duties include wet floor mopping with hot water and soap, dry mopping afterwards, and a thorough sweep. Monthly duties might include floor waxing and sealcoating for added protection and security.

Consult a seasoned personal injury lawyer for accurate information, advice, and instruction for filing a slip and fall injury claim in the case that you are injured at a commercial business for any of these above-mentioned reasons or more. A personal injury law firm retains the proper experience, knowledge, and resources to guide you through the legal process of filing a claim for all kinds of accident types. They can fight for your right to full and fair compensation for your damages and losses.

Indianapolis Slip and Fall Lawyers

Personal Injury Law Firm 317-881-2700

Personal Injury Law Firm
317-881-2700

Call the law office of Craven, Hoover, and Blazek P.C. at 317-881-2700 to file a slip and fall claim in Indianapolis, Indiana. Our seasoned personal injury lawyers are eager to help you recover the full and fair compensation you deserve after a serious slip and fall accident on public or private property. We offer free initial consultations and never collect attorney fees unless we prevail for you. Call 317-881-2700 to schedule your consultation, today.

3 Lies About Slip and Fall Accident Cases

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Indianapolis Slip and Fall Lawyers 317-881-2700

Indianapolis Slip and Fall Lawyers 317-881-2700

In the field of personal injury law, slip, trip, and fall cases add up to a significant amount of claims. From wet floors and icy sidewalks, to unleveled concrete and frayed carpeting, slip and fall claims are wide-spread, which means there are several ways a person can sustain serious injuries. As one of the most common personal injury claims, it’s not surprising that there are a few myths surrounding such cases that might confuse the average slip and fall victim.

So to protect yourself and gain clarity, it is wise to learn the truths to these falsehoods. Continue reading to learn the three most common lies about slip, trip, and fall accident claims.

Slip and Fall Myths

❶ You Don’t Have a Case.

Because injury cases can be so complex, many victims are unclear about another’s liability or duty of care. This leads them to believe anyone that tells them they probably don’t have a case. But there are so many minute and complex details that go into the investigatory process of an accident claim, that a person cannot always trust the legitimacy of a slip and fall case at first-glance. This is why you need to consult a personal injury lawyer.

❷ A Warning Sign Was Posted, So You Can’t Sue.

Although a warning sign is standard procedure to alert others of a potential hazard, it does not always exclude a person or entity’s responsibility in a slip and fall claim. There are several other details that go into accidents such as these, and a sign is not enough to entirely eliminate liability.

❸ You Can Only Recover for Economical Losses.

Many slip and fall victims also become victims of this common lie. In personal injury cases, victims can recover compensation for more than just hospital bills, medical expenses, and lost wages. Depending on the severity of the injuries, the extent of negligence, and more, a court can also award compensation for non-economic damages and even punitive damages if the negligence was egregious.

Consult a Personal Injury Lawyer

With so many myths surrounding slip and fall claims, and since they greatly differ individually, it is important to retain the services of an experienced personal injury lawyer that specializes in slip and fall accident cases. They can thoroughly assess your accident and determine whether or not you have a valid claim. If you do, they will represent your case without collecting a single dollar until they prevail for you. This is called a contingency-fee basis, which you can learn more about here.

The Law Office of Craven, Hoover, and Blazek P.C.

Craven Hoover Blazek Personal Injury Law

Craven Hoover Blazek Personal Injury Law 317-881-2700

Call Craven, Hoover, and Blazek P.C. at 317-881-2700 to learn more about slip and fall injury claims in Indianapolis, Indiana. Seasoned personal injury lawyers, Daniel Craven, Ralph Hoover, and Keith Blazek, specialize in slip and fall accident cases. Our personal injury law firm offers free initial consultations to discuss your accident and assess your eligibility for compensation. And we never collect attorney fees unless we recover for you! Call 317-881-2700 to schedule a consultation with an experienced Indianapolis slip and
fall lawyer, today.