Slip and Fall Injury Attorney in Dallas
If you were injured in a slip and fall accident on someone else’s property in Dallas, you could be entitled to compensation for your medical bills, lost wages, pain and suffering, and other losses. At The Wilhite Law Firm, we have the experience and the resources to help you demand the full compensation you need to recover.
Our Dallas slip and fall lawyers are ready to stand up and fight for you. We will also be there to answer your questions and provide the type of highly personalized service that you deserve. Contact us today to discuss the specifics of your case in a free consultation.
What Do You Have to Prove in a Slip and Fall Claim?
To hold a property owner legally and financially responsible for the negligence that led to your injury, you will need to prove the following elements:
- The at-fault party was the legal owner, tenant, or manager of the property – Owners, tenants, and others who control property in Texas are legally required to keep their premises reasonably safe for visitors. To establish your slip and fall case, you will need to prove the at-fault party owned or controlled the property.
- A dangerous condition present on the property caused your injuries – You must be able to demonstrate that a hazard existed on the premises, the hazard caused your injuries, the property owner knew or should have known about the hazard, and the owner failed to repair or warn visitors of the hazard.
- You were a lawful visitor to the property when you were injured – Property owners generally have no legal responsibility to keep their premises safe for trespassers. You must be able to prove that you were a legal invitee, visitor, or licensee on the property when the slip and fall occurred.
- You were not injured as a result of your own careless or reckless behavior – You are responsible for exercising reasonable caution to keep yourself safe while on others’ premises. So you must demonstrate that you were not careless or reckless when the slip and fall occurred. Our Dallas slip and fall injury attorney can help.
How Can a Dallas Slip and Fall Attorney Help?
A knowledgeable Dallas slip and fall attorney at The Wilhite Law Firm can help you by:
- Providing a thorough evaluation of your case – We can evaluate your case for free to determine whether you have grounds for a claim and identify all your legal options.
- Conducting an independent investigation of the slip and fall – We can investigate the slip and fall incident and the location where it occurred to preserve useful evidence.
- Managing important documents and deadlines on your behalf – We can manage all the paperwork in your personal injury claim and ensure important documents are filed on time.
- Communicating with others on your behalf – We can communicate with all at-fault parties, insurance representatives, and other attorneys so you don’t have to worry about saying anything that could damage your case.
- Determining the full extent of your losses – We will track your medical treatment and your recovery to ensure we have a complete understanding of how your injuries are affecting your life. We may also consult with medical experts and other professionals to determine how your injuries will affect you in the future. This will help us pursue the maximum compensation you deserve.
- Negotiating forcefully for a maximum settlement – Our lawyers are seasoned negotiators who will relentlessly demand full and fair compensation on your behalf.
- Representing you in court, if necessary – If we recognize that settlement talks won’t result in a payment that you are willing to accept, then we won’t hesitate to take your case to trial if necessary. Contact our Dallas slip and fall injury lawyer today.
What Is Your Slip and Fall Case Worth?
Depending on the circumstances surrounding your Dallas slip and fall accident, you could be entitled to compensation for the following losses:
- Medical expenses – Past, present, and future costs of any medical care you need to treat your slip and fall injuries, including expenses from hospital stays, diagnostic tests, doctor’s visits, and prescription medications.
- Lost wages – The value of any reductions in your take-home pay resulting from missed time at work while you recover from your slip and fall injuries.
- Lost earning potential – The projected value of losses in your future earning capacity, if your slip and fall injuries leave you with a long-term disability that prevents you from returning to your previous job or career path.
- Pain and suffering – The physical pain, mental anguish, and emotional suffering you endure due to the slip and fall accident and the injuries you suffered as a result.
- Punitive damages – If the at-fault party in your slip and fall accident case was exceedingly negligent or intentionally malicious, you may be awarded punitive damages. The term “punitive damages” refers to a special type of compensation that is awarded in rare circumstances and is intended to punish and discourage egregious wrongdoing. Contact our Dallas slip and fall injury lawyer today.
Common Causes of Slip and Fall Accidents in Dallas
While no two slip and falls are exactly alike, many share contributing factors. Some of the most common causes of slip and fall accidents that we encounter in our work on behalf of our clients at The Wilhite Law Firm include:
- Wet, waxy, or icy floors – Recently mopped or waxed floors, uncleaned spills, and rainy or icy walkways frequently contribute to slip and fall injuries.
- Uneven flooring materials – Many slip and falls are attributed to tripping over uneven carpeting or mats, loose floorboards or tiles, and irregular flooring materials.
- Cluttered floors – Floors that are strewn with stray cords, electrical wires, and other clutter or debris are serious slip and fall hazards.
- Unsafe stairs or steps – Some stairs or steps may be too dangerous by design if they are excessively steep, narrow, or unstable. Stairs and steps can also be unsafe due to missing or broken handrails.
- Parking lot potholes – Large potholes can develop when property owners fail to properly maintain their parking lots. Slip and fall or trip and fall accidents are especially likely to occur around potholes in dark or poor weather conditions.
- Poor lighting – Visitors are more likely to overlook potential slip and fall hazards when parking lots, garages, stairwells, and other outdoor or enclosed structures lack proper lighting.
Common Places Where Slip and Fall Accidents Occur in Dallas
Dallas slip and fall accidents commonly occur in the following locations:
- Retail stores – Many shoppers slip and fall in retail stores due to uncleaned spills, waxy floors, and cluttered aisles.
- Restaurants and bars – Slip and fall accidents frequently occur in restaurants and bars due to spilled food or drink, inadequate lighting, and inattentive staff.
- Healthcare facilities – Slip and falls can occur in doctor’s offices, hospitals, and clinics due to slick floors, spilled fluids, or lack of clinical supervision.
- Worksites – Hazards such as open scaffolds, cluttered work areas, and spills contribute to slip and falls in construction zones and other worksites.
- Entertainment venues – Slip and falls happen in sports arenas, theaters, and theme parks due to uncleaned spills, slick floors, and other hazards.
- Apartment complexes – People can slip and fall in apartment complexes because of poorly lit walkways, unsafe staircases, and missing handrails.
- Older buildings – Older buildings often carry a high risk of slip and falls due to unusual stair or step sizes, and due to floors or railings being in poor condition.
- Swimming pools – Slip and falls frequently occur in and around swimming pools as a result of wet and slippery walkways, pool steps, or defective ladders.
- Parking lots – People can slip and fall in parking lots because of standing water from poor drainage, excessive potholes, or inadequate lighting.
How Long Do You Have to File a Slip and Fall Lawsuit in Texas?
Texas law imposes strict time limits (known as the statute of limitations) on your ability to take certain types of legal action after an injury. You have just two years from the date of your slip and fall accident to file a lawsuit in civil court.
If you wait to file your lawsuit until after the two-year deadline has expired, the court will most likely dismiss your case, and you will lose your right to demand fair compensation. For that reason, you should not hesitate to speak with an experienced attorney at The Wilhite Law Firm about your slip and fall accident in Dallas.
What to Do If You’ve Been Hurt in a Fall on Someone Else’s Property
If you were injured in a Dallas slip and fall on someone else’s property, you can protect your health and your right to recover compensation by:
- Seeking prompt medical attention to establish a record of your condition and get the care you need
- Reporting the slip and fall to the property owner, manager, landlord, or tenant, asking them to create a written report, and requesting a copy for your records
- Documenting everything you can remember about the slip and fall, taking photos of the accident scene, asking eyewitnesses for contact information, and saving the clothing and shoes you were wearing at the time
- Declining to provide statements to the at-fault party, their insurance company, or their attorney without speaking to your own lawyer first
- Avoiding social media activity such as posts, shares, or comments regarding the slip and fall, your health, or your legal case while your claim is pending
- Contacting a knowledgeable attorney who can evaluate your situation, determine whether you have grounds for a claim, estimate the potential value of your case, and communicate with other parties on your behalf
How Much Does It Cost to Hire a Slip and Fall Lawyer in Dallas?
When you have medical bills and other expenses piling up after a slip and fall accident, it’s understandable to be concerned about the cost of hiring an attorney. At The Wilhite Law Firm, we understand that money can be tight after a serious injury. This is why we offer our services on a contingency fee basis. Should you hire us, you will pay no upfront or out-of-pocket costs as we work on your case, and we don’t get paid unless you do. Contact a Dallas personal injury lawyer at The Wilhite Firm today.
Talk to a Dallas Slip and Fall Attorney Today
After a slip and fall accident in Dallas, you deserve an experienced attorney who could help you hold the at-fault parties accountable and demand the compensation you need and deserve. Contact The Wilhite Law Firm now to discuss the details of your slip and fall claim with a knowledgeable member of our team.