Slip and Fall Lawyer Greenfield

Slip and fall accidents usually occur because of a property owner’s negligence. If you or someone you know was injured in a trip and fall accident, an experienced Greenfield personal injury lawyer from the Law Offices of John P. DiBartolo, Jr. could help you get the compensation and justice you deserve.

Causes of Slip, Trip, and Fall Accidents in Massachusetts

With a detailed knowledge of Massachusetts premises liability laws, our attorneys can provide aggressive legal representation if your slip & fall injury was caused by:

  • Loose or damaged floorboards
  • Loose or bulging carpeting
  • Loose or torn mats or rugs
  • Uneven flooring or sidewalks
  • Exposed wiring or other tripping hazards
  • Spillages of food or liquids
  • Potholes or cracks
  • Wet floors
  • Snow and Ice

Slip and fall accidents can occur because of missing handrails, inadequate lighting, and broken stairs too. You should speak with a slip & fall lawyer in Greenfield to prove the at-fault party’s negligence and obtain the compensation you deserve.

Photo of a Man Fell on the Ground

Typical Establishments Where Trip and Fall Accidents Occur

Trip and fall accidents can occur anywhere – residential, commercial, and workplaces. However, these are a few establishments where slip & fall accidents are more frequent:

  • Homes and offices
  • Restaurants
  • Grocery stores
  • Parking garages
  • Shopping centers
  • Amusement parks
  • Apartment buildings
  • Elevators and escalators
  • Swimming pools
  • Nursing homes
  • Stadiums

What Damages Are Recoverable After a Slip, Trip, and Fall Injury?

Damages in a slip & fall claim depend on the extent of your injuries and other unique facts surrounding your accident. Our attorneys will evaluate these circumstances to determine whether you have a valid claim. It takes a seasoned Greenfield personal injury lawyer to ensure all components of a claim are properly calculated in arriving at an accurate estimate. We can help you obtain damages, including:

  • Economic damages: This includes medical expenses, lost wages, reduced earning capacity, and other expenses
  • Non-economic damages: This includes loss of consortium, loss of enjoyment, pain, and suffering, and compensation for disfigurement or disability
  • Punitive damages: Available in exceptional cases, these damages are exemplary in nature and designed to punish the egregious behavior of a defendant

The overall damages you can recover in a slip & fall injury case will depend on the following:

  • Severity of injuries
  • Income lost
  • Ability to resume work
  • Impact on personal relationships
  • Impact on overall lifestyle

What Steps Can I Take to Strengthen My Trip and Fall Claim?

Here are a few important steps you should take following a slip & fall injury:

  • Seek immediate medical attention. This is necessary even if you don’t feel any pain. There are many internal injuries that manifest later when the initial adrenaline rush wears off.
  • Take time-stamped photographs of your injuries and the accident scene if you can. You can also ask someone with you to click pictures of the hazard before the owner or manager has a chance to fix it.
  • Report the fall to the property owner and get a copy of the incident report. This is an important step and should not be ignored.
  • Get the name and contact information of witnesses. Your attorney will use this to prepare a strong claim.
  • Make a journal of the sequence of events leading to your accident. Note down the details regarding weather conditions, whether the ground was wet, and lighting conditions
  • When you reach home, put your clothes and shoes in a bag and keep it in a safe place. A common defense used in slip & fall injury claims is that the plaintiff’s footwear contributed to the fall.

You should consult with an experienced trip and fall attorney at the Law Offices of John P. DiBartolo, Jr. Our attorneys will immediately get to work to protect your rights and take all the necessary steps towards getting you the compensation you rightfully deserve.

How Can Our Slip, Trip, and Fall Injury Lawyer Help You?

Slip & fall injury claims are regulated by complex state laws. You will need to prove negligence of the property manager, property owner, or occupier. Prompt investigation is vital to establish liability and seek the compensation you deserve. Our attorneys are aggressive yet compassionate. We will meet you wherever you are – home, workplace, or hospital room.

We will explain the situation and all available legal options. Our legal team comprises top-rated lawyers, investigators, medical specialists, and accident reconstruction experts that enable us to build a solid and compelling claim. We will move fast once you retain our services and gather evidence of liability before it is made unavailable. This includes:

  • Physical and forensic evidence from the accident site
  • Witness testimonies
  • Surveillance footage of the accident
  • Testimony from expert witnesses
  • Property maintenance records
  • Photographs of the dangerous condition
  • Records of previous slip and fall incidents at the same property
  • Copy of the police report

Types of Injuries in Massachusetts Trip and Fall Accidents

These are a few typical injuries that may occur in a slip, trip, or fall case:

  • Head and neck injuries
  • Concussions
  • Spinal cord injuries
  • Traumatic brain injuries
  • Back injuries
  • Hip fractures
  • Chest injuries
  • Paralysis
  • Joint injuries
  • Broken bones
  • Bruising and lacerations
  • Wrongful death

Trip and fall accidents often result in serious injuries that should not be taken lightly. Seniors are especially vulnerable to getting seriously injured in a fall.

Premises Liability Laws in Massachusetts

In MA, all property owners have a responsibility to maintain their property and keep it free of danger for anyone present legally on the premises. They are required to fix any known hazards within a reasonable period. Property owners are also required to proactively look for any hidden hazards and fix them.

In case any hazard cannot be fixed immediately, property owners are required to provide adequate warning. Any property owner or manager found to be negligent in carrying out these duties can be held liable under state premises liability laws.

Identifying the Liable Party in a Slip, Trip, and Fall Case

Generally, the property owner or person responsible for managing the premises is held liable in a slip, trip, and fall claim. Sometimes negligent occupiers of the property may also be held liable. In addition, there are several other entities, such as the elevator maintenance company or other vendors and service providers, that can be attached to the lawsuit as a defendant. Our experienced slip & fall injury lawyers in Greenfield will identify and prove the liability of all at-fault parties to maximize your damages.

Photo of an Injured Woman

Statute of Limitations for Massachusetts Trip and Fall Claims

The statute of limitations for filing a trip and fall injury claim is three years. If your slip & fall injury occurs on government property, you would need to notify the city authorities within 30 days. Likewise, if you slip and fall on snow and ice, you need to notify the landowner –in writing–within 30 days.You should not delay in speaking with a proven personal injury attorney. Evidence that proves fault and damages is vital for seeking compensation in a slip and fall accident claim.

Talk to a Skilled and Knowledgeable Premises Liability Attorney – Book Your Free Consultation Today

If you or someone you love was injured on someone else’s property in Greenfield, you need an experienced personal injury attorney; the Law Offices of John P. DiBartolo, Jr. can handle all legal aspects of your slip & fall claim. Attorney DiBartolo will aggressively pursue the compensation and justice you deserve. Schedule your free and confidential consultation with us today. Call (413) 529-2955 or write to us online.