A slip and fall accident in Kansas City might seem harmless, but they can result in severe injuries, extensive medical bills, and a long recovery process. At Dollar, Burns, Becker & Hershewe, with a heritage spanning over a century, we stand as staunch advocates for victims of such accidents, ensuring they receive the justice and compensation they deserve. Speak with an experienced Kansas City personal injury lawyer today or schedule a free consultation by calling (818) 876-2600.
Why Choose Dollar, Burns, Becker & Hershewe?
Proven Experience
With a legacy of over a century, our firm has navigated the legal landscape to recover over a billion dollars for our past clients. Our seasoned Kansas City slip and fall attorneys bring to the table a wealth of experience, knowledge, and a proven track record in handling slip and fall accident cases.
Award-Winning Service
Our accolades, including being listed among America’s Top 100, Super Lawyers, and U.S. News Best Law Firms, are a testament to our unwavering commitment to excellence in legal service.
Client-Centric Approach
We believe in a personalized approach to legal representation. The free consultation we offer is a step towards understanding your unique situation and crafting a legal strategy tailored to your needs. We stand as the ‘Voice for Victims,’ ensuring your story is heard and justice is served.
Understanding Slip and Fall Cases in Missouri
Slip and fall accidents are often a result of the negligence of a property owner or occupier, be it poorly maintained premises, inadequate safety measures, or any of the following common causes of slip and fall accidents:
- Wet or icy surfaces causing slippery conditions
- Uneven flooring or carpeting creating tripping hazards
- Poor lighting obscuring vision and hiding potential dangers
- Cluttered floors causing obstruction and tripping
- Defective sidewalks or stairs lacking in proper maintenance and safety standards
Being the victim of a slip and fall accident due to any of the above-mentioned conditions can be both physically and emotionally taxing. When these incidents occur due to the negligence of property owners or managers, legal recourse may be available to seek compensation for the damages incurred.
Types of Injuries Common in Slip and Fall Cases
Slip and fall accidents often result in severe injuries that can severely impact a person’s quality of life and ability to work. The force generated when a person falls, combined with unexpected landing positions and hard surfaces, can cause serious harm.
Some of the most common injuries in slip and fall accidents include:
- Head Trauma: Falls frequently result in concussions and traumatic brain injuries when victims strike their heads on floors, furniture, or other objects. These injuries can cause lasting cognitive problems, memory issues, and personality changes.
- Spinal Cord Damage: Slip and fall accidents commonly cause herniated discs, compression fractures, and severe spinal cord injuries. These conditions can lead to chronic pain, limited mobility, and in severe cases, partial or complete paralysis.
- Broken Bones: Victims often suffer fractures in their wrists, hips, and ankles when trying to break their falls or landing awkwardly. Elderly victims are particularly vulnerable to hip fractures, which can lead to significant complications and reduced independence.
- Shoulder Injuries: Rotator cuff tears, dislocations, and labral injuries frequently occur when people instinctively try to catch themselves during falls. These injuries often require surgery and extensive physical therapy.
- Knee Damage: The twisting motion during falls can tear ligaments, damage cartilage, and fracture kneecaps. Complex knee injuries may require multiple surgeries and lengthy recovery periods, limiting mobility and affecting long-term quality of life.
- Soft Tissue Injuries: Sprains, strains, and tears to muscles, tendons, and ligaments are common in slip and fall accidents. While these injuries might seem less severe initially, they can cause chronic pain and limited range of motion without proper treatment.
At Dollar, Burns, Becker & Hershewe, our attorneys regularly represent clients who have suffered life-altering injuries from slip and fall accidents. We understand how these injuries affect victims both physically and financially, often requiring extensive medical treatment, rehabilitation, and long-term care. We will work tirelessly to secure the compensation that you need to recover from these injuries and begin rebuilding your life.
Liability for Slip and Fall Accidents in Kansas City
Understanding liability for slip and fall accidents in Kansas City is crucial as it forms the basis of any claim. If you or a loved one was a slip and fall accident victim in Kansas City, here is what you need to know:
Premises Liability
Missouri premise liability law requires property owners and occupiers to maintain safe premises for visitors. If a hazardous condition on someone’s property causes you to slip and fall, the property owner or occupier may be held liable if:
- They were aware of the hazardous condition but did nothing to rectify it; or
- The hazardous condition existed for a sufficient length of time for the owner/occupier to have discovered and rectified it before the accident.
Comparative Negligence in Missouri
Missouri’s comparative negligence system allows accident victims to recover damages even if they are partially at fault for the accident. However, the amount of compensation is reduced by the victim’s percentage of fault. For instance, if you are found to be 20% at fault, your compensation will be reduced by 20%.
Establishing Liability
Establishing liability involves demonstrating that the property owner’s or occupier’s negligence caused your accident. Evidence such as accident reports, witness testimonies, and surveillance footage can be instrumental in proving liability.
Our skilled Kansas City slip and fall attorneys are well-versed in Missouri’s liability laws and will meticulously investigate your case to establish liability and fight for you to receive the compensation you deserve.
Common Causes of Slip and Fall Injuries in Kansas City
Slip and fall accidents can happen anywhere, from grocery stores and office buildings to restaurants and private homes. While property owners have a legal duty to maintain safe premises, dangerous conditions often develop and go unaddressed.
At Dollar, Burns, Becker & Hershewe, our slip and fall attorneys regularly handle cases that stem from many hazardous conditions, including the following:
- Wet or Slippery Floors: Spilled liquids, recent mopping, or tracked-in rain and snow create dangerous walking surfaces that frequently cause visitors to lose their footing and fall.
- Uneven Walking Surfaces: Cracked sidewalks, potholes, and unexpected elevation changes pose serious tripping hazards, especially when owners fail to put up proper warning signs.
- Poor Lighting Conditions: Inadequate illumination in stairwells, parking lots, and walkways prevents people from seeing potential obstacles or changes in the walking surface.
- Missing Handrails: Properly installed handrails on stairs or ramps help protect walkers from falls. When these crucial safety features are removed, the journey up these surfaces can become treacherous.
- Cluttered Walkways: Boxes, merchandise, cables, and other obstacles left in walking paths create tripping hazards, especially in retail spaces and workplaces.
Compensation for Slip and Fall Accidents in Missouri
Securing rightful compensation is a key part of the recovery journey for victims of slip and fall accidents. In Missouri, victims can pursue a variety of damages to alleviate the financial strain caused by such incidents.
Economic Damages
These are quantifiable losses incurred due to the accident, including:
- Medical Expenses: Covers costs of emergency care, hospital stays, surgeries, medication, physical therapy, and any future medical care.
- Lost Wages: Compensation for the income lost due to the inability to work following the accident.
- Loss of Earning Capacity: If the accident affects your ability to earn a living in the future.
- Property Damage: Reimbursement for personal property damaged during the incident.
Non-Economic Damages
These are intangible losses, which include:
- Pain and Suffering: Compensation for physical pain and emotional distress caused by the accident.
- Loss of Enjoyment of Life: Compensation for the inability to enjoy life as you did before the accident.
- Disfigurement and Permanent Disability: Compensation for lasting physical changes or disabilities.
Punitive Damages
In cases where the at-fault party’s conduct was particularly egregious or malicious, punitive damages may be awarded to deter such behavior in the future.
Legal Guidance
Navigating the complexities of compensation claims requires an experienced legal advocate. Our Kansas City Slip and Fall lawyers possess the legal knowledge and understanding to meticulously evaluate all damages you are entitled to and aggressively pursue maximum compensation on your behalf.
How Our Attorneys Approach Seeking Justice
At Dollar, Burns, Becker & Hershewe, we pledge a relentless pursuit of justice on your behalf. We aim to restore normalcy to your life post-accident, hold the at-fault parties accountable, and get you the compensation you rightfully deserve.
Here is how we approach every case we handle:
- The Initial Consultation: Our journey begins with a thorough understanding of the incident, gathering all essential information to build a solid foundation for your claim.
- The Investigation: We delve deep to unearth evidence, establish liability, and bolster your claim, ensuring no stone is left unturned.
- Claim Preparation: Armed with evidence and a robust legal strategy, we prepare a compelling claim aimed at securing the rightful compensation you deserve.
- Negotiation & Litigation: Through aggressive negotiation, we aim for a favorable settlement. However, if litigation is the route to justice, our fearless attorneys are ready to represent you in court. We will fight fiercely for your rights.
What to Do After a Slip and Fall Accident in Kansas City
If you are involved in a slip and fall accident, it is easy to feel overwhelmed and embarrassed. You may be unsure what you should do next—get help, go to the doctor, or just pick yourself back up and move on with your day. However, the steps that you take after the accident can affect your ability to take legal action and recover compensation.
The following actions can connect you with the help you need and ensure that you can access the necessary resources to pursue legal action.
Check for Your Safety
Remain still for a moment to assess yourself for serious injuries. If you can move safely, carefully get to a secure location away from the hazard. If you feel severe pain or dizziness, do not attempt to stand—this could worsen your potential injuries.
Report the Incident
Alert the property owner, manager, or supervisor immediately and tell them about the slip and fall. Make sure that they create a formal incident report documenting the fall and request a copy of this report for your records. However, avoid making detailed statements about your injuries or how the accident occurred, and do not sign any documents without consulting with your attorney first.
Seek Medical Care ASAP
Visit an emergency room or urgent care facility right away, even if your injuries seem minor. Some serious conditions, like head trauma or internal injuries, may not show immediate symptoms. By seeking prompt medical attention, you create a record of your injuries that can help link the fall to the harm that you suffered.
Take Photos, If Possible
Use your phone to photograph the hazardous condition that caused your fall, including any warning signs (or lack thereof). Document the surrounding area, lighting conditions, and any visible injuries as well. These images often become vital evidence in establishing liability.
Speak to Witnesses
Get contact information from anyone who saw your fall or the hazard. These witnesses can provide valuable testimony about the hazard and how long it existed, which can help establish the property owner’s knowledge of the dangerous condition.
Avoid Insurers or Representatives
Do not provide statements to insurance adjusters or representatives of the company or property owner without consulting an attorney first. These individuals do not have your best interests in mind—instead, they may try to minimize the property owner’s liability or even use your words against you. Direct all communication through your legal counsel.
Follow Your Doctor’s Orders
In the days and weeks following your accident, attend all medical appointments and complete all prescribed treatments. Missing appointments or failing to follow medical advice can harm your case by suggesting your injuries are not serious. Keep detailed records of all medical care and associated expenses.
Avoid Speaking Publicly About Your Fall
Refrain from discussing your accident on social media or with others outside your immediate family. Insurance companies may monitor social media accounts and may use your posts to dispute injury claims. Trust your attorney to handle all case-related communications on your behalf.
Contact a Kansas City Slip and Fall Attorney at Dollar, Burns, Becker & Hershewe
Your journey towards justice begins with a single step. Call an experienced slip and fall accident attorney at Dollar, Burns, Becker & Hershewe, to protect your legal rights. An attorney will understand premises liability law and can take steps to investigate your accident, preserve evidence, and handle negotiations with insurance companies while you focus on recovery.
Schedule your free consultation today and let our experienced slip and fall attorneys in Kansas City be the voice for your cause. Call Dollar, Burns, Becker & Hershewe toll-free at (816) 876-2600, toll-free at (877) 816-2600. Your path to justice is but a call away.