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When you enter a business or other property, you expect the premises to be safely maintained. Unfortunately, this is not always the case. Wet floors, debris, or poor lighting, can lead to slips, falls, and severe injuries. If you have been injured in a slip-and-fall accident in Worcester, Massachusetts, you may be entitled to hold the property owner liable for damages to cover medical bills, lost wages, and pain and suffering.
45 years and have a proven track record of recovering hundreds of millions of dollars in damages on their behalf. To learn more about how we can help you and schedule a free consultation, call us at 617-391-9001 or complete our contact form today.
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Recovering from a serious injury can be stressful and overwhelming. Worrying about money only adds to that burden. Thinking about an insurance claim or injury lawsuit can make matters seem even worse–but that’s often the only way to recover the compensation you need for medical bills and daily expenses while you recover. At Sweeney Merrigan Personal Injury Lawyers, our attorneys are committed to helping slip-and-fall accident victims in Worcester and the surrounding areas navigate this complex legal process.
When you trust us to protect your financial interests, you can count on a lawyer to do the following:
Our legal team has nearly 45 years of experience fighting to secure full compensation for clients like you. Our Worcester personal injury attorneys will stand by your side and work to make the personal injury process as easy as possible.
Don’t leave your future financial security to chance. Call our law offices today to schedule a free case review.
According to research published by the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, preventable injuries are the leading cause of death for Massachusetts residents aged 1-44. Overall, they’re the third-leading cause of death statewide. Falls account for 59% of all serious injuries that require hospitalization.
Over 71,000 people were treated for fall injuries in Massachusetts during a single year. More than 500 fall injury victims over the age of 65 lost their lives.
Slip and fall accidents can cause significant damages. The types of damages you suffer will influence the value of your personal injury case. More traumatic and permanent injuries usually result in the highest settlement awards.
Some factors that could influence the value of your slip-and-fall case include:
The insurance company also has a few tactics that can reduce the value of your claim. They might try to blame you for the accident or claim that your injuries were pre-existing. They might even claim that you failed to mitigate the damages you suffered.
At Sweeney Merrigan Personal Injury Lawyers, we’ve helped countless clients like you maximize their compensation awards. We know what to expect from the insurance company–and we always put up the strongest fight possible.
Our slip-and-fall lawyers in Worcester will fight to recover all available damages if you were hurt in a slip-and-fall. Victims are entitled to economic and non-economic damages under Massachusetts personal injury laws.
Economic damages can be challenging to value. Victims are entitled to reimbursement for both past and future expenses related to an injury, including:
It’s often even more difficult to put a price tag on your non-economic damages, which might include:
Having expert witnesses in your corner greatly increases your chances of recovering everything you’re entitled to receive. At Sweeney Merrigan Personal Injury Lawyers, we work with the best experts in the business. With their help, we can present the strongest case for damages possible.
Trip-and-falls can cause unexpected injuries. It’s always important to take your injuries seriously and seek medical attention. At Sweeney Merrigan Personal Injury Lawyers, we can help you fight to recover full compensation for all of your injuries.
Some common slip-and-fall injuries include the following:
Slips-and-falls can be fatal. If you lost a loved one, don’t hesitate to reach out to learn more about your right to compensation for wrongful death. While monetary compensation cannot make up for your loss, it can help ease the financial burdens associated with your loved one’s passing.
Slip, trip, and fall accidents in Worcester are typically caused by poorly maintained property. When property owners fail to take reasonable steps to keep their property safe, visitors and guests can be severely injured.
Some of the most common causes of slip-and-fall accidents in Worcester include the following:
You don’t have to let the insurance company determine the cause of your accident. Insurance companies want to minimize their own financial liability, and often do not have your best interests in mind. If you were injured, an experienced Worcester slip-and-fall attorney can investigate the cause of your unique accident.
Depending on where your slip-and-fall occurred, different parties may be responsible for your injuries. A few common settings and liable parties include the following:
Many hazards may cause an individual to trip, slip, or fall in a retail establishment. Debris left in aisles, broken railings, and wet floors are common occurrences in businesses across Worcester. The manager or other employees must warn customers about potentially hazardous conditions, such as wet floors, with a sign or notice.
However, just because a sign is present does not mean that you cannot recover damages if you slip and fall in a place of business. An experienced slip-and-fall attorney can review the details of your case to determine who may be held liable for your injuries. Depending on the circumstances surrounding your case, the following parties may bear liability:
At Sweeney Merrigan Personal Injury Lawyers, we understand that every case is different and will investigate yours thoroughly to ensure each liable party is held fully accountable for your injuries and other losses.
Many victims of slip-and-fall injuries sustain them at their friend’s homes. A non-standard step or uneven piece of carpet can cause you to trip, fall, and sustain severe injuries such as head trauma or broken bones. If you slipped and fell at a friend’s house, the homeowner is likely responsible for your damages. While many individuals feel guilty for bringing legal action against a friend, it is essential to remember that you will primarily be going through their homeowner’s insurance policy.
Public walkways and buildings can pose many hazards, especially when the city does not maintain them properly. Cracks and lifted or uneven walkways could cause you to trip, while areas not cleared of ice and snow may cause you to slip. If you have suffered an injury due to a slip-and-fall on public property, the following parties may be at fault:
Cities and government agencies that violate the duty of care to maintain their properties may be held accountable through a slip-and-fall claim. An experienced slip-and-fall attorney can analyze your case to determine whom you should take legal action against. When filing a claim against a government agency, it is essential to act quickly to retain the services of a highly-qualified attorney, as shorter time limits may apply to your case.
To recover compensation for a slip-and-fall accident under Massachusetts premises liability laws, victims have the burden of proving that the property owner was negligent in some way. Property owners can be held liable if they fail to take reasonable steps to keep their property safe. However, they aren’t required to provide a 100% accident-proof environment.
Proving negligence means offering the insurance company or court proof about the following:
It’s also important to establish why you were on the property. A property owner’s legal duty of care varies based on why you were on the property. For legal purposes, you’re classified as an invitee, licensee, or trespasser when you enter someone else’s property.
Property owners owe the highest duty to invitees. You’re classified as an invitee when you enter a property for business purposes, such as when you’re grocery shopping or visiting a restaurant.
To recover compensation from a business owner, you’ll have to prove the following:
Business owners must conduct regular inspections of their property. That way, they can identify any hidden hazards that could harm customers and guests.
Private homeowners owe visitors, or licensees, a legal duty of care. However, they aren’t required to conduct inspections to locate hidden dangers. They are required to provide adequate warning about any non-obvious dangers.
Property owners aren’t required to maintain their property for the benefit of trespassers. If you’re hurt while trespassing, you usually won’t have a right to damages. Exceptions do exist for small children injured because of an attractive nuisance on the property.
There’s a strict deadline to file a slip-and-fall accident claim in Massachusetts. The statute of limitations gives injured parties only three years to file a personal injury lawsuit for damages. While this may seem like ample time to pursue compensation, it is in your best interest to act sooner rather than later. Essential evidence may be lost or damaged with time and witnesses may move away or forget what they saw. An experienced attorney can advise you on how the statute of limitations applies to your case.
If you were injured in a fall on someone else’s property, don’t hesitate to seek legal advice from an experienced Worcester slip-and-fall accident attorney. Our managing partners, J. Tucker Merrigan and Peter M. Merrigan, have successfully recovered hundreds of millions of dollars in damages for our clients and have been recognized as Super Lawyers Rising Stars for their continued excellence. At Sweeney Merrigan Personal Injury Lawyers, we always offer a free consultation. Call our law offices today at 617-391-9001 or complete our contact form to schedule yours.
Attorneys at Sweeney Merrigan Law, LLP have been recognized and honored by several of the top legal associations, including SuperLawyers, National Trial Lawyers Association, and Best Lawyers.
Sweeney Merrigan Law, LLP is a highly successful personal injury law firm serving Massachusetts since 2011.
There are no fees or costs unless we win your case!
