Falls and unsafe property
Hurt on someone else's property
Stores, restaurants, apartment buildings and parking lots have to fix hazards or warn you about them. When they don't and you get hurt, they can be held responsible.
These cases depend on proof that disappears fast: camera footage gets recorded over and spills get mopped up. Tell me where and when it happened, and I'll ask the owner in writing to keep the video and the incident report.
Where these injuries happen
Most falls I see happen somewhere people go every week.
Store aisles
Spills, leaks, loose mats and boxes left in the walkway.
Apartment buildings
Broken steps, missing handrails, dark hallways and stairwells.
Parking lots and sidewalks
Potholes, cracked curbs and lots with no lighting at night.
Pools and gates
Slippery decks, broken gates and no one watching.
Questions about falls
The store manager asked me to sign a report. Should I?
You can ask for a copy before you sign. Write down what you remember, take photos if you can, and call me.
What if I wasn't watching where I was going?
That doesn't end your claim. The question is whether the owner knew or should have known about the hazard.
I rent. Can I bring a claim against my landlord?
Often, yes, when the injury came from something the landlord had to repair. Bring me your lease and any repair requests.
Tell me where you fell
The sooner I ask for the video, the more likely it still exists. The first call is free.