Every owner is responsible for ensuring that anyone who lawfully visits their property does not suffer injury. When they fail to do so, and you suffer physical injuries and financial loss, you have the legal right to seek recovery of your losses.
At Galloway Jefcoat, our slip and fall accident lawyer in Lake Charles has the experience you can rely on. Set up a free consultation with our Lake Charles personal injury lawyer now to learn how we can help you. We have recovered hundreds of millions of dollars for our clients. Past results do not guarantee similar outcomes.
We Handle All Slip and Fall Accidents in Lake Charles
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.
"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."
How Our Slip and Fall Accident Attorney Helps You
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. This includes but is not limited to:
- Investigate 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
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. When you set up a free consultation with our slip and fall accident lawyer in Lake Charles, we begin to fight for you, building your case with confidence in our understanding of the law.
Going to Trial May Be Necessary
Another advantage of hiring a lawyer is that they can prepare your case for trial. Although most cases are settled before trial, it is essential to have an attorney prepared to take the case to court if 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.
"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 Your Right to File a Slip and Fall Accident Claim
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
- They failed to take appropriate action to fix the issue or warn visitors about it
Proving negligence through this process enables you to demonstrate to the court that the at-fault party should pay for your losses, including your medical costs, emotional trauma, and pain and suffering. We must meet the legal obligations to establish negligence, and with our experience, you can expect us to do so.
"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."
Other Factors That Play a Role in Your Right to File a Case
Most cases are more complex than these elements, and that means you need more information and resources to build a successful claim. With our slip and fall accident lawyer in Lake Charles by your side, you can expect us to work through any challenges and demonstrate your losses to the fullest extent under the law. 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
There is often the potential that you could be found partially at fault for an accident. Our goal will be to gather as much information as possible to build your claim in your favor. We review these details to present a valid, evidence-based claim to the insurance company.
"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."
Determining Liability for Your Injury
Louisiana property owners have a legal duty to exercise reasonable care under CC 2317.1. The specific measures a property owner must take depend on the visitor’s legal status 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 premises 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 under RS 9:2800.6 if they failed to protect invitees from harmful conditions, especially if they knew or should have known about them.
- 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 they 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 a duty to keep the premises safe from hazards. However, the owner may be liable if they intentionally cause harm to them.
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. Browse our FAQs to learn more about slip and fall accidents.
Determining the Value of Your Slip and Fall Accident Claim
The value of your slip and fall claim will be based on the severity of your injury, the medical treatment you have undergone and may require in the future, and the 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.
When You Are Partially at Fault for Your Accident
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 (CC 2323), compensation can be recovered despite the victim’s percentage of fault. Do not allow the insurance company to tell you that you cannot seek fair compensation after these accidents.
Types of Compensation Owed in a Slip and Fall Accident
Our slip and fall accident attorney in Lake Charles will build a case that incorporates all of the losses you have. In doing so, we will always work with you to file a robust claim. Some of the damages that may be owed to you include:
- Medical expenses
- Pain and suffering
- Lost wages
- Loss of future income
- Emotional trauma
- Loss of quality of life
With our experience serving clients in the area, we know how to value your claim and demonstrate the losses you have to the fullest level allowed under the law. Contact us for help in determining what your case is worth.
The Time Limit for Filing a Slip and Fall Accident 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. Failing to file before the time limit expires will likely result in dismissal by the court.
There may be exceptions that shorten or extend this deadline. Our Lake Charles slip and fall attorneys recommend contacting our firm sooner rather than later, as the clock may already be running on your slip-and-fall claim.
It is also important to understand that our goal is not simply to go to court, but to settle your case outside of court. If the insurance company does not offer a fair settlement, we will file a lawsuit within the statute of limitations.
What to 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, and then hiring a slip and fall accident lawyer who can represent you throughout the rest of the legal process.
It is very common for victims to stand up, brush off what happened, and try to move on. Going back to try to prove what happened later is hard. Instead, when possible, be aggressive at the scene to get the support you need.
We encourage you to always put your safety above any other factor. With that in mind, consider the following steps.
Get Medical Treatment
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.
Take Photos of the Scene
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.
Get Witness Statements
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.
Document the Accident with the Owner
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.
Contact Our Slip and Fall Accident Lawyer
Do not put off contacting our legal team; do so as soon as you can. We will guide you through the claims process. We hold the insurance company accountable on your behalf.
Areas Where Slip and Fall Accidents Commonly Occur
Any type of property owner can be held responsible for a slip and fall accident. This includes residential, commercial, and government property owners. Slips 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
No matter where you were hurt, call for medical care, get in to see your doctor, and then call our slip and fall accident lawyer. Property owners must keep their environment safe. When they fail, we fight for you, and our case results tell that story. Talk to our Lake Charles slip and fall accident attorney today.
Common Causes of Property Slip and Fall Accidents
All property owners must maintain their property to be hazard-free. This is a duty for commercial and residential owners. 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 makes it hard to see hazards
- Broken stairs or missing handrails
If an owner fails to maintain safety and you suffer a loss, contact us for a free consultation, even if you are unsure if you have a case. We want to help you fight for fair recovery of damages.
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. They 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 more than 20 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.
"Galloway Jefcoat helped me at a time when I felt lost and taken advantage of by my employer."