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Slip and Fall Lawsuits in Missouri
Slip and fall accidents are more common than you think. Each year, countless St. Louis residents suffer injuries at restaurants, grocery stores, malls, hotels, and other businesses. Missouri law dictates that owners of these establishments should exercise reasonable care when guests are visiting their property. This means that they must:
- Maintain clean, safe, and hazard-free environments
- Warn guests of potential hazards on the property
This includes a list of things to do in order to prevent slip and fall accidents. A business must:
- Label recently mopped and/or waxed floors
- Repair uneven carpeting and loose floorboards
- Remove debris from aisles and walkways
- Patch up potholes in sidewalks and parking lots
- Install guardrails and safety fences where applicable
If a business has failed to do any of the tasks outlined above and you have been injured as a result, the property owner or operator should be held liable for medical expenses, lost wages, pain and suffering, and more. Under Missouri’s statute of limitations, you need to file a personal injury claim within five years of the date of the slip and fall accident, so do not delay contacting The Hayden Law Firm now. You deserve to have your case represented by a St. Louis slip and fall lawyer that not only understands your injuries but how you can recover adequate compensation for your harm and losses. Learn more about premises liability in Missouri and what you deserve.
Injuries in a Slip and Fall Accident
Some people may think that slip and fall accidents are not very serious, but we have seen these types of injuries turn peoples’ worlds upside down — especially if it involves a blow to the head. A simple “Caution” sign could’ve helped avoid a devastating injury that takes months to recover from.
There is a wide variety of injuries that can result from these accidents, but some of the most common slip and fall injuries include:
- Bodily injury
- Concussions
- Traumatic brain injuries
- Neck, back, and shoulder damage
- Damaged tissue or internal organs
- Spinal cord injuries
- Knee sprains, strains, or tears
- Broken or fractured bones
- Wrongful death
Falling on someone else’s premises can not only cause a lot of pain, but your injury may be worse than you initially believe. Certain complications from slip and falls might not show up right away and may become evident later, which is why you should get checked out by a medical professional immediately.
After you get the care you need from a doctor, let us take care of you! When we take over, you have the peace of mind knowing there’s a dedicated advocate on your side. This allows you to focus on healing and moving on to a new, more positive chapter of your life.
Causes of Slip and Fall Accidents
The unfortunate reality is that most slip and fall accidents are usually preventable. While you can’t expect every walkway or stair to be perfect, you can expect a business to do everything in their power to ensure the area is safe for you and your loved ones to visit. Securing a sufficient slip and fall settlement often comes down to determining exactly how the negligent party allowed your injuries to happen.
The most common causes of slip and fall accidents include:
- General lack of safety signs and warnings
- Recently washed and wet flooring
- Waxy or greasy indoor flooring
- Slick outdoor walkways covered in water, ice, or sand
- Stairs that are installed improperly or unevenly (one step is too low or too high, etc.)
- Uneven carpeting
- Loose floorboards
- Ramps or stairs falling apart due to lack of maintenance
- Exposed wires, cables, and other electrical equipment that carry the danger of electrocution
- Improperly stored equipment or tools
- Unsecured furniture
- An obstruction in a narrow pathway
- Inadequate handrail installation
- Failure to clean up messes or debris in a timely fashion
