Common Slip and Fall Accidents and Injuries
Slip, trip, and fall accidents cover a broad spectrum, including:
- Snow, ice, and wet spots that should have been cleared or treated by the property owner
- Loose flooring or carpeting in poorly maintained buildings
- Greased, polished, or wet floors that were not marked with a “caution” sign
- Unnecessary debris and clutter in the pathway of a pedestrian or shopper
- Electrical cords haphazardly left out that trips a passerby
- Poor lighting or loose/non-existent handrails on a stairwell that pose a hazard
- Poorly maintained escalators that stop and go suddenly, causing a fall
- Neglected parking lots with potholes or weather-related dangers
Injuries resulting from slip and fall accidents may include (but are not limited to):
- Traumatic brain injuries
- Orthopedic injuries
- Open or closed head wounds
- Spinal cord injuries/paralysis
- Bone fractures and dislocations
- Amputations and disfigurement
- Lacerations and permanent scarring
- Wrongful death
Who is Liable for Maine Trip and Fall Accidents?
Victims are often embarrassed about a slip, trip, or fall and feel personally responsible for their injuries. However, upon further probing, our experienced team of slip and fall attorneys digs up evidence that the negligence of business owners, homeowners, and landlords caused or contributed to unsafe conditions that led to the accident.
To prove liability, a premises negligence lawyer must:
- Show evidence of injury, including medical records, photographs, and testimony from medical experts
- Provide proof of ownership and establish that the property owner had an obligation to the victim
- Demonstrate how the property owner either caused the dangerous situation or knew about a hazard on the property that was not adequately addressed in a timely fashion
In Maine, premises liability cases allow victims to collect for current and future medical expenses, time lost from work and reduced future earning capacity, the cost of labor to complete household chores, permanent disability, and emotional distress. You generally have up to six years from the injury to file a slip and fall lawsuit in Maine, but there can be shorter timelines. Call an attorney at Hardy Wolf & Downing today!
