What You Need to Know if You Were Injured on Stairs Without Handrails

Posted on February 2, 2021 by admin

Falls down stairs happen. If a person is seriously injured on a staircase that was not properly equipped with handrails, you can pursue a personal injury claim. If this has happened to you or someone you love within the last two years, you may still have time to pursue legal action against the negligent party that caused your staircase accident.

Continue reading to learn what you need to know about determining your case’s viability, your rights to compensation, and how to get started on your accident claim.

Personal Injury Attorney Law Firm 317-881-2700 — Indiana Slip and Fall Attorneys 317-881-2700

Missing or Broken Handrails Make Stairways Unsafe

According to a publication on Pubweb.com, more than a million United States citizens fall victim to stairwell injuries each year. With such alarming numbers of staircase fall accidents, you would think that more security and safety precautions would be taken for public staircases and stairwells. But unfortunately, these types of accidents are still happening year after year, and at shocking rates. For innocent victims of staircase falls and injuries, there should be simply no tolerance for this type of negligence.

If you fell down a flight of stairs because of broken, defective, or missing handrails, you deserve to be compensated for your subsequent damages and losses. Your injuries have likely caused you to incur a long list of financial losses, such as hospital bills, medical expenses, lost wages from missing work, and even fuel costs for driving to and from treatment or rehabilitation. Then there are non-economic damages that many slip and fall victims experience, like pain and suffering, mental anguish, loss of future work abilities, permanent disfigurement, disability, and more.

Stairwell Building Codes for Indiana

There are specific building codes that all public and commercial properties must adhere to at all times. Although these building codes vary from state to state, most are congruent across the board on the most basic requirements for stairways. Staircases are required to meet certain measurement criteria, such as landing clearance, riser height, handrail heights, handrail sides, number of handrails, and more.

For instance, here in Indiana, the maximum riser height must be 8 ¼ inches, and the highest riser cannot be bigger than the smallest riser by more than 3/8^th of an inch. In Indiana, handrails cannot project more than 4 ½ inches on either side of the stairway, and at minimum, must have a clear width of at least 31 ½ inches from the handrail height to the steps if on just one side, and 27 inches for handrails on both sides. Additional criteria set regulations for treads, the width of steps (runs), handrail grips, and more.

As you can see, there are several specific building code criteria for public stairways and handrails that are pertinent to your staircase fall case. You have two years from the time of your accident to make a claim for compensation against the negligent party who was responsible for the defective or missing handrails.

If you slipped and fell down a stairway as a result of another type of negligence of defective, such as poor lighting, crumbling materials, unlevel steps, or improper snow and ice management, you may also have a case. Contact an Indiana slip and fall attorney right away to learn your rights to pursuing legal action against any company that has caused you to lose so much as a result of your personal injury accident.

Get Help With Your Slip and Fall Claim From Our Experienced Indiana Injury Lawyers

Call Craven, Hoover, and Blazek P.C. at 317-881-2700 to speak with a seasoned personal injury lawyer about your recent stairway slip and fall accident in Indianapolis, Indiana. Their seasoned accident lawyers offer free initial consultations and never collect attorney fees unless they win your settlement. Call our office today at 317-881-2700 to schedule your consultation with an Indianapolis personal injury attorney who cares. We represent injured persons throughout the state of Indiana.

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

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.

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.

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.

Indiana Slip and Fall Personal Injury Attorneys 317-881-2700

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 Recover Damages From Your Wet Floor Slip and Fall Compensation Claim

Posted on August 20, 2020 by admin

A wet floor sign plays a vital role in the safety of both patrons and staff within a business. However, more needs to be done to protect others from slip and fall accidents. When such warnings and actions are not applied properly for this purpose, the property owner or proprietor can be held legally liable for any victim’s damages and losses that result from their injuries. If you were recently injured on a commercial property in a wet floor slip and fall accident, your next step is to retain skilled personal injury representation so that you can recover the full and fair compensation you deserve.

Continue reading to learn more about Indiana slip and fall accidents, including how to maximize your compensation and where to get started on your claim.

Indianapolis Slip and Fall Lawyers 317-881-2700

Slip, Trip, and Fall Accidents

Losing one’s balance as a result of a wet floor can result in slipping and falling. When this happens as a result of a store or business owner’s negligence, the victim is likely entitled to economical reimbursement for their damages and losses. Damages and losses include out-of-pocket expenses accrued as a result of their injuries, like hospital and medical bills, lost wages from missing work, and more. So, what does negligence look like in a wet floor slip and fall scenario? Well, there are many ways a business can be negligent. One of the most common mistakes or inactions made is not displaying proper signage and warnings on rainy days, snowy days, mopping days, spills, leaks, or when the floors are otherwise wet. If this happens, a business is not taking the proper precautions they are obligated to under Indiana duty of care and negligence laws.

A Business’s Duty of Care

Negligence can be defined in many ways, but there are two fundamental factors that make evident its basic concept; these two factors are “duty of care” and “breaching” the duty of care. Every person in the United States has a legal responsibility, or duty of care, to prevent or avoid causing harm to another person, whether intentional or accidental. Stores and businesses have this same legal responsibility, and if they fail to uphold that responsibility, thus directly causing another person to be injured or killed, they have breached their duty of care.

Advice for Making a Slip and Fall Claim in Indiana

If you or a loved one recently suffered serious injuries as a result of a slip and fall accident on another person’s property, you have the option of filing a slip and fall claim. During this filing process, evidence will be requested to prove that the owner of the property should have known, or did know, about the hazard that caused the accident to occur. To do this, hire an Indianapolis personal injury attorney that has experience in slip and fall lawsuits. They will provide comprehensive representation for all aspects of your slip and fall lawsuit. They can obtain compensation for damages related to your accident and injuries.

Contact Our Indianapolis Indiana Slip and Fall Lawyers Today

Call Craven, Hoover, and Blazek P.C. at 317-881-2700 to get started on your slip and fall accident claim in Indianapolis, Indiana. Our seasoned personal injury lawyers have decades of experience working on slip and fall cases, and will use every resource in our firm’s power to recover the full and fair compensation you deserve. Best of all, we offer free initial consultations and never collect attorney fees unless we win a settlement for you. We represent injured persons throughout the State of Indiana. Call 317-881-2700 to get started, today.

Craven, Hoover, & Blazek P.C.

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