Did you slip, trip or fall on another’s property?
If you were injured in an accident because a property owner failed to keep the premises safe, you may be able to pursue compensation in a claim to help cover medical expenses, lost wages, pain and suffering, and more. We recommend meeting with one of our experienced Lake Charles slip and fall lawyers to discuss your available legal options in an initial consultation at no cost or obligation to you.
Galloway Jefcoat has been advocating for personal injury victims across Louisiana for over two decades and has recovered millions of dollars on their behalf. Founders Rusty Galloway and John Jefcoat are both active members of the Louisiana Bar Association and the American Bar Association.
Our lawyers are ready to help you recover the compensation needed to move forward with your life. There are no upfront fees to use our services. We do not receive payment unless you get paid.
While each case depends upon its own facts, members of the firm have routinely recovered in the six figures for slip and fall victims.
How Can Hiring a Lawyer Help Me?
Injury victims who hire lawyers often recover more compensation than those who do not hire legal representation. It is important, however, to choose the right lawyer. You need someone with experience handling slip and fall cases and a proven record of success.
If you are not sure whether you have a valid case, have questions about your eligibility for compensation or need assistance with the legal process, our firm may be able to help.
At Galloway Jefcoat, we have helped many injury victims recover compensation. We are well-versed in slip and fall laws and what it takes to put together a strong case. This includes but is not limited to:
- Investigating the accident to discover the dangerous condition that caused you harm
- Gathering photos, videos and other evidence to prove negligence played a role
- Reviewing your medical records to determine the extent and severity of your injury
- Consulting with experts to evaluate how your injuries have affected your life
Another advantage of hiring a lawyer is that he or she can prepare your case for trial. Although most cases are settled beforehand, it is essential to have an attorney who is ready to take the case to court if it is necessary. Having experienced legal representation may persuade the insurance company to make a fair settlement offer. When an insurer refuses to compensate you fully for your injury, a trial can be a last resort in order to obtain the maximum compensation possible.
Our Lake Charles slip and fall attorneys are ready to manage every step of the legal process for you so that you can focus on what matters, your health and your recovery.
"I have used Galloway Jefcoat a few times and have always been very satisfied. Furthermore, all of the people who work there are very professional, nice, and courteous."
Am I Eligible To File a Case?
There are many factors to consider in slip and fall cases. This is why it is in your best interest to have a licensed lawyer review your situation. Our firm offers a risk-free, zero-obligation initial consultation.
Although each case is different, slip and fall victims may be able to file a case if the following can be proven:
- The condition presented an unreasonable risk of harm that was reasonably foreseeable
- The property owner knew or should have known the dangerous condition existed
- He or she failed to take appropriate action to fix the issue or warn visitors about it
Other factors that will be taken into consideration include:
- The way your injury happened
- Your legal status while on the property
- Whether it was public or private property
- Length of time the hazard was present
- Any previous incident reports filed
- Presence of signs warning of hazard
"Galloway Jefcoat are amazing professionals who are very client focused. They will guide you thru all the details to help get your litigation solved. I was involved in a crash that ultimate required a knee replacement"
Determining Liability For Your Injury
Louisiana property owners have a legal duty to exercise reasonable care. The specific measures a property owner must take by are based on the legal status of the visitor at the time of injury.
Visitors are classified as invitees, licensees, or trespassers:
- Invitees – An invitee is an individual the property owner has invited onto the premise for business purposes. An example is customers at a grocery or retail store. The highest duty of care is owed to invitees. A merchant may be held liable for injuries if he or she failed to protect invitees from harmful conditions, especially if he or she knew or should have known about it.
- Licensees – A licensee is an individual invited onto the premises by the property owner for non-business purposes. Examples include friends or family members. A property owner may be held liable for injuries if he or she failed to warn licensees of any unreasonable risks on the premises.
- Trespassers – A trespasser is an individual who enters the premises without the owner’s permission. Property owners do not owe a duty to trespassers, such as keeping the premises safe from hazards. However, the owner may be liable if he or she intentionally causes them harm.
Liability in a slip and fall accident can be difficult to establish, which is why we encourage you to consult with an experienced lawyer. A Lake Charles slip and fall lawyer from our firm is ready to help.
"As a client of Galloway Jefcoat for over two years I want to take a minute to say how much I appreciate the team handling my case."
What is the Value of My Slip and Fall Accident Claim?
The value of your slip and fall claim will be based on the severity of your injury, and the medical treatment you have undergone and may require in the future and anticipated recovery time, among other factors.
Our attorneys at Galloway Jefcoat are ready to pursue maximum compensation on your behalf for the financial, physical and emotional damages you have suffered. The costs of past and future medical care frequently make up a great portion of an injury settlement or verdict. These medical care costs include:
- Hospitalization
- Emergency services
- Surgeries
- Imaging and diagnostic tests
- Physical therapy and rehabilitation
- Doctor’s appointments
- Prescription medications
- Assistive devices (i.e. crutches)
If your claim has merit, you may be able to recover lost income for days you missed work while recovering from your injury and lost earning capacity if your injury has affected your ability to work in the future.
The physical and mental pain and suffering you have experienced since the slip and fall may also be compensated in a claim. For instance, if you suffer from emotional distress or loss of quality of life, you may be eligible to be compensated for these damages.
It is important to note that even if you are partially responsible for the slip and fall, you may still be able to pursue compensation. The amount awarded will be reduced according to your percentage of fault. Under the state’s comparative fault rule, compensation can be recovered despite the victim’s percentage of fault.
"Great experience, from day 1 I felt like I finally had someone on my side and that feeling didn't leave me for 1 single moment."
Is There a Time Limit to File a Claim?
The amount of time you have to file a claim is mandated by Louisiana’s statute of limitations. In most cases, you have one year from the date of injury. Not filing before the time limit expires will likely result in a court dismissal.
There may be exceptions that shorten or extend this deadline. Our Lake Charles slip and fall attorneys are ready to determine the deadline that may apply to your situation. We recommend contacting our firm sooner rather than later as the clock may have already started running on your slip and fall claim.
What Should I Do After a Slip and Fall Accident?
There are certain actions you can take after a slip and fall to protect your well-being and preserve your claim for compensation. The most important of which is seeking immediate medical care.
Have a qualified doctor look at you and evaluate the seriousness of your injury. Some slip and fall injuries may remain hidden and not become apparent until days or even weeks later. If you wait too long to get medical treatment, an injury could worsen. You also do not want to give the insurance company any reason to question the validity of your claim and the injury you sustained.
If you are physically capable, take photos of the accident scene, any visible injuries, and the dangerous condition that harmed you. Include wide and close-up angles from different directions. It may be the only opportunity you have to document the area exactly as it looked. Conditions can change quickly. For instance, if you slipped and fell on a wet floor, the water may dry or be cleaned up quickly.
If anyone witnessed the slip and fall, be sure to ask for their contact details and write down any information you are told that seems relevant to the accident. If they allow you to, take recorded statements and write down everything you remember about what happened.
At the time of the accident, ask the property owner about filing an official accident report. This report will create a paper trail needed to prove the slip and fall and that the accident caused your injury.
Areas Where Slip and Fall Accidents Commonly Occur
Slip and falls can occur in many different areas, such as:
- Grocery stores
- Retail stores
- Shopping malls
- Restaurants
- Bars and clubs
- Movie theaters
- Arenas and stadiums
- Parking lots and garages
- Amusement parks
- Public parks and sidewalks
- Apartment complexes
- Office buildings
- Swimming pools
- Construction sites
Some of the common causes of slip and fall accidents include:
- Recently mopped or wet floors
- Slippery surfaces, such as waxed floors
- Cluttered aisles, hallways or walkways
- Loose floorboards, rugs or mats
- Uneven surfaces with no warning signs
- Potholes in parking lots
- Poor lighting making it hard to see hazards
- Broken stairs or missing handrails
Different Slip and Fall Accident Injuries
According to the National Floor Safety Institute (NFSI), over one million people are injured in slip and fall accidents in the U.S. each year. Falls also account for more than eight million emergency room visits.
Slip and fall injuries can range from minor to severe and can also be deadly. Examples include:
- Cuts and abrasions (leg and arm abrasions and wounds to the head and hips)
- Broken bones (hip, wrist and ankle fractures)
- Soft-tissue injuries (ankle and wrist sprains to tears in tendons and ligaments)
- Traumatic brain injuries (concussions, skull fractures and hemorrhages)
- Spinal cord injuries (neck sprains, torn nerves and paralysis)
These injuries can be expensive to treat and may need long-term care. After seeking treatment, we recommend consulting with a lawyer. He or she can help you navigate the complex legal system.
Contact a Lake Charles Slip and Fall Accident Lawyer Today
Many slip and fall accidents are entirely preventable. If you have been injured by a negligent property owner, you need a Lake Charles slip and fall lawyer with experience handling these cases on your side.
The lawyers at Galloway Jefcoat have 20-plus years of experience fighting for injured victims and recovering millions in compensation for our clients. If you have a valid case, we are ready to pursue maximum compensation on your behalf to help cover your medical expenses, lost wages and more.
Contact us today to get started. An initial consultation is completely free and confidential without any obligation to move forward. We do not receive payment for our services unless you are compensated.
"Galloway Jefcoat helped me at a time when I felt lost and taken advantage of by my employer."