If you’ve slipped or tripped and fallen on someone else’s property in Massachusetts, you may be entitled to hold them accountable for damages.
An experienced Massachusetts slip and fall accident lawyer at Sweeney Merrigan Law, LLP can help you recover the full and fair compensation you deserve. Speaking with an experienced attorney is the first step to getting the money you need to move forward.
Call our law offices today at (774)-341-5778 to arrange your free consultation with a lawyer who can help.
How An Experienced Massachusetts Personal Injury Lawyer Help If You Were Hurt in a Slip and Fall Accident
Injury claims based on slip and fall accidents can be notoriously difficult to prove.
In order to recover compensation from a negligent property owner, you have to offer proof of negligence.
That can be hard to come by–especially if you’re recovering from an injury.
The property owner might apologize profusely for your injuries.
However, when it comes time to pay your bills, your claim is handed over to an insurance company. Insurance companies have virtually limitless resources–but their overall goal is to pay accident victims the least amount possible.
An ongoing battle with the insurance company can be a daunting prospect when you’re hurt. An experienced Massachusetts personal injury lawyer can step in and help when you need it the most. In fact, it’s possible that the skill of your lawyer could make or break your case. You need someone with experience and resources.
At Sweeney Merrigan Law, LLP, we have over 100 years of combined experience. Our firm benefits from a wide range of legal experience – from the bench to both sides of the negotiating table.
When you hire us, we will:
- Investigate to identify the cause of your accident
- Interview witnesses
- Locate video footage and photos of the property
- Fight back when the insurance company blames you for falling
- Negotiate to recover the most compensation possible for you
Ready to take the next step? All you have to do is call to schedule a free consultation.
How Dangerous Are Slip and Fall Accidents?
Slip and fall accidents are extremely costly. The Center for Disease Control (CDC) reports that one in five falls causes a serious injury.
More than 800,000 Americans are hospitalized each year because of fall injuries–and the consequences are even more serious for older adults.
According to the CDC, more than 95% of all hip fractures are caused by falls.
As far as accidental injuries go, falls are a leading cause of death in the U.S. In 2018, around 37,455 falls were fatal. Among non-fatal injuries, falls are the leading cause of emergency room visits in the United States each year, with around 8 million visits annually.
Understanding a Property Owner’s Duty of Care in Suffolk County
Property owners have a duty to maintain their property. That means fixing any known dangers in a reasonable time frame. For business owners, it also means inspecting the premises to find any hidden hazards. If the problem can’t be fixed right away, the property owner has a duty to provide adequate warning to prevent you from getting hurt.
In other words, you shouldn’t have to constantly worry about falling. Property owners, however, should be worried. If they’re negligent in maintaining their property, they can be held liable under Massachusetts premises liability laws.
Common Causes of Slip and Fall Accidents in Massachusetts
Some falls are purely accidental. You might lose your balance or trip over your own feet.
Others are entirely preventable if property owners would properly maintain their premises.
Some of the most common causes of slip and fall accidents in Massachusetts include:
- Accumulated snow and ice
- Uneven pavement or flooring
- Slick surfaces or wet floors
- Loose floor mats and carpets
- Loose cables or wires
- Broken or crumbling staircases
- Missing railings
- Inadequate lighting
Our slip and fall attorneys are here to evaluate the circumstances of your injury and help you understand your options for recovering the fair compensation you need. All you have to do is give us a call and tell us what happened.
Slip and Fall Accident Victims Often Suffer Serious, Life-Altering Injuries
Slip and fall accident injuries can be tricky to predict.
Some injuries could even take days or weeks after an accident to manifest themselves.
Of course, that’s why it’s important to seek medical treatment quickly after a fall.
At Sweeney Merrigan Law, LLP, we’re here to help in any way we can. We’ve successfully helped clients who have suffered injuries.
This includes:
- Traumatic brain injuries
- Head and neck injuries
- Concussions
- Spinal cord injuries
- Back injuries
- Hip fractures
- Joint injuries
- Broken bones
- Bruising and lacerations
- Chest injuries
- Paralysis
- Catastrophic injuries
- Wrongful death
Slip and fall accident injuries are often much more serious than most people think. Some people, including the elderly, are especially vulnerable to being seriously hurt in a fall. That doesn’t let the property owner off the hook for negligent property maintenance.
If you’re interested in learning more about your legal rights after a Massachusetts slip and fall, give our law offices a call today. We’d be happy to arrange a free consultation.
We Handle All Types of Slip, Trip, and Fall Accident Cases in Massachusetts
You have the right to expect to feel reasonably safe when you’re on someone else’s property. The reality is, a slip and fall can happen anywhere. When the root cause is negligent property maintenance, you deserve compensation for your injuries.
Our personal injury attorneys often help clients who have been hurt in falls at a Massachusetts:
- Restaurant
- Bar
- Grocery store
- Big box store
- Hospital
- Nursing home
- Apartment building
- College campus
- Hotel
- Sports arena
- Entertainment complex
Property owners have a duty to maintain their premises–both inside and outside. You can have a legitimate claim for damages even if you’ve fallen in a parking lot or store walkway. To learn more about protecting your legal rights, call Sweeney Merrigan Law, LLP for a free case review today.
Who Can Be Held Legally Responsible for Damages in a Massachusetts Slip and Fall Case?
All property owners are legally responsible for maintaining their property in reasonably safe condition for lawful visitors. That means any property owner can be held responsible for your injuries, as long as you weren’t trespassing.
Responsible parties may include:
- Business owners
- Landlords
- Restaurant owners
- Private property owners
- Government agencies
- Homeowners
You can recover compensation from a private homeowner who fails to provide adequate warning about hidden dangers on the property. As a licensee, you should expect that friends and family will take reasonable steps to keep you safe.
In reality, most homeowners’ insurance policies cover the cost of these injuries. If you have questions about holding a business owner or homeowner responsible for your slip and fall injuries, give our law offices a call today.
What Types of Damages Can Slip and Fall Accident Victims in Massachusetts Recover?
What seems like a simple fall could dramatically impact your life. When someone else is to blame, you’re entitled to reimbursement for all past and future costs associated with the injury. You also have the right to compensation for your pain and suffering. At Sweeney Merrigan Law, LLP, our lawyers know what it takes to get the full compensation you need.
We’ll fight to recover compensation for:
- Medical bills
- Lost wages
- Future medical expenses
- Lost future earning potential
- Physical therapy
- Pain and suffering
- Emotional distress
- Diminished quality of life
In the rare case that a slip and fall accident is fatal, we can also help you recover damages for the wrongful death of your loved one.
What Happens If the Insurance Company Blames Me for the Fall?
Slip and fall claims can get messy without solid proof. You might file a claim only to have the insurance company turn around and blame you for being clumsy. Don’t panic if this happens–insurance companies routinely use the “blame the victim” strategy to avoid paying what’s fair.
Understanding the law is key to protecting your rights. Massachusetts follows a modified comparative negligence law. That means you can recover financial compensation as long as you weren’t mostly responsible. In other words, if you’re found to be 51% responsible, your recovery will be barred entirely.
Is comparative negligence an issue in your slip and fall case? Call an experienced slip and fall lawyer in Massachusetts who can work to minimize your role in the accident.
What’s the Deadline For Filing a Slip and Fall Accident Claim in Massachusetts?
Every state imposes time limits on accident victims’ right to sue for damages. This is called the statute of limitations. In Massachusetts, the statute of limitations for filing a personal injury lawsuit is three years. In some cases, time could be even more limited.
Call a Knowledgeable Massachusetts Slip and Fall Accident Lawyer for Help With Your Injury Claim Today
If you were injured in a slip and fall accident, you already have a lot on your plate. An experienced Massachusetts slip and fall accident lawyer at Sweeney Merrigan Law, LLP can handle the legal aspects of your injury claim.
Give our law firm a call to arrange a free consultation whenever you’re ready. We also work on a contingency basis. That means you only pay attorneys’ fees if we recover compensation for your family.
