Slip and fall accidents in Scottsdale, AZ, can leave victims with significant injuries, expensive medical bills, and an inability to work. Don’t face a situation like this alone. Instead, get help from an experienced attorney and demand fair compensation for what you’ve suffered.
The Scottsdale slip and fall lawyers of Mushkatel, Gobbato & Kile, P.L.L.C., have decades of combined experience securing favorable settlements and verdicts for our clients. Contact our firm today to speak with a member of our legal team about your case and to learn more about what our lawyers can do for you.
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What Are the Top Causes of Slip and Fall Accidents in Scottsdale?
Slip and fall accidents fall under the umbrella of premises liability, which holds property owners liable for injuries caused by their negligence. Some of the leading causes of slip and fall accidents caused by property owner negligence in Scottsdale are:
- Wet Floors – If you slip on a wet floor in a business, the owner may be liable for your injuries if they knew or should have known about the hazard.
- Uneven Surfaces – Places where different types of flooring meet, uneven staircases, and other uneven surfaces are common causes of fall accidents.
- Loose Railings – Staircases with loose railings are prime spots for slip and fall accidents. Property owners are responsible for properly maintaining their properties to keep them free from such hazards.
What Are the Most Common Injuries in a Scottsdale Slip and Fall?
Some of the most common injuries suffered by slip and fall victims in Scottsdale, AZ, include:
- Broken Bones – Bracing yourself after slipping can lead to broken bones in the hands, wrists, and arms. Additionally, older adults are at increased risk of breaking bones, including their hip and pelvis bones, during a fall. These injuries can take months to recover from and may require surgery.
- Soft Tissue Injuries – Muscles, ligaments, and tendons can be pulled, strained, or torn during a slip and fall. The soft tissues in the knees are at particular risk.
- Traumatic Brain Injuries – If you strike your head on the ground or another hard surface when you fall, you could suffer a traumatic brain injury. These injuries can result in permanent cognitive and physical disability.
- Spinal Cord Injuries – The impact of a fall can damage the spinal cord by knocking spinal discs out of alignment. These discs can pinch the spinal cord, causing chronic pain, or even sever it, causing paralysis.
What Should You Do After a Slip and Fall Accident?
After suffering a slip and fall injury, you should take the following steps to benefit your personal injury lawsuit:
- Report the Injury – Report the injury to the property owner. If you were injured at a business, ask for a copy of the accident report if they file one.
- Seek Ongoing Treatment – Follow up with all of your medical treatment so you can recover from your injuries as quickly as possible.
- Keep Medical Bills – Keep track of all medical bills you receive so your attorney can use them when calculating your compensation.
- Keep a Pain Journal – Write down your pain levels and how your injuries impact your daily activities in a journal.
- Avoid Providing a Statement – Do not provide the property owner’s insurance company with a recorded statement until after speaking with a lawyer of your own.
- Contact a Slip and Fall Lawyer – The best way to protect your rights is to consult an experienced slip and fall injury lawyer.
Can I Sue the Property Owner Where I Fell?
Yes, in many cases, you can sue the owner or occupier of the property where you fell. You will likely need to show that the property owner knew or should have known about the hazardous condition that caused your fall and that they didn’t take reasonable steps to remedy it. For example, if you slipped and fell on a wet floor in a restaurant, you could argue that the restaurant should have reasonably expected spills and, therefore, should have been proactively monitoring for and cleaning them up.
What Happens if I Was Partly Responsible for My Slip and Fall Injuries?
If you were partly responsible for your slip and fall injuries, Arizona’s pure comparative negligence rule will apply. Under this rule, the compensation you could receive for your injuries is reduced by your percentage of fault.
For example, if you slipped on a wet floor while looking at your phone, you may share some liability because you weren’t watching where you were walking. If a court decides you were 20 percent at fault for the accident, the other party would only be liable for 80 percent of the cost of the accident.
It’s important to work with a slip and fall lawyer who can not only prove the other party’s liability but also reduce your liability to maximize your compensation.
What Type of Compensation Could I Receive for a Scottsdale Slip and Fall Claim?
Slip and fall victims can seek compensation for their various losses, including:
- Medical Expenses – Most slip and fall injury lawsuits seek compensation for past and future medical treatments, surgeries, medical devices, prescription medications, and physical therapy.
- Lost Wages – If you lost income while recovering from your injuries, you can seek wage replacement compensation.
- Loss of Future Earnings – If your injuries will impact your ability to work in the future, you can seek compensation for loss of future earnings.
- Permanent Disability – If you suffered permanent disability due to your fall, you can seek compensation for accommodating your disability, such as by making your home wheelchair accessible.
- Pain and Suffering – You can seek compensation for the physical pain and emotional suffering you experience because of your injuries.
What Is the Statute of Limitations for a Slip and Fall Lawsuit in Arizona?
Under most circumstances, slip and fall victims have two years to file lawsuits against the parties responsible for their injuries under Arizona law. You must file your lawsuit within this period or risk the courts blocking you from seeking compensation for your injuries.
Contact a Scottsdale Slip and Fall Lawyer
If you suffered an injury in a Scottsdale slip and fall accident, contact Mushkatel, Gobbato & Kile, P.L.L.C. to speak with an experienced personal injury lawyer about your case. Our full-service law firm has over 50 years of combined legal experience and provides the personalized service of a small firm while having the resources of a large firm.
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