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Slip and Fall Injury Lawyer in Minnesota
Serious injuries from a slip and fall deserve serious legal help
We often think of falls as accidents, but sometimes, they are the result of negligence. A fall can lead to minor injuries like scraped knees, bruises, and bumps, or it might cause severe, life-altering injuries like spinal cord or brain damage. If you’ve suffered severe injuries in a slip and fall, you need to learn more about your rights and legal options for recovery. Bradshaw & Bryant, PLLC, has more than 30 years of experience fighting for personal injury victims.
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How can we help you?
- Why choose Bradshaw & Bryant, PLLC to handle your Minnesota slip and fall claim?
- What are some common causes of slip and falls?
- Minnesota slip and fall law
- What if I’m partially at fault?
- Common slip and fall injuries we handle
- Who is responsible for your fall?
- What should you do after a slip and fall?
- What’s the statute of limitations for slip and fall lawsuits in Minnesota?
- What damages can you recover in a Minnesota slip and fall?
- Do I have a Minnesota slip and fall lawyer near me?
Why choose Bradshaw & Bryant, PLLC to handle your Minnesota slip and fall claim?
Bradshaw & Bryant, PLLC is dedicated to the pursuit of justice for victims of serious injuries. Our track record speaks for itself – we’ve helped many clients recover the compensation they need to move forward with their lives following harm that resulted from someone else’s negligence. We offer each client personalized, compassionate representation, and focus on obtaining them the support they need to afford their long-term recovery. If you are the victim of a slip and fall, and your injuries are the result of someone’s negligence, don’t hesitate to get in touch with us right away for a free consultation.
What are some common causes of slip and falls?
While any of us might fall due to ordinary clumsiness, many falls involve some other factor. Some common causes of falls that may lead to a negligence claim include the following:
- Wet or slippery floors in retail stores or restaurants, either from washing the floors, or from spills
- Ice and snow accumulation on sidewalks or parking lots can create slippery surfaces
- Broken staircases or missing handrails, which make stairs more dangerous
- Poor lighting in hallways or stairwells that make it likely that someone will miss a step
- Spilled food, drink, wires, cables, or merchandise that cause slipping or tripping risks
Businesses and property owners in Minnesota owe their patrons and guests a legal duty to keep their premises reasonably safe. When they do something that creates a risk, they are neglecting to safeguard those who enter their property, and can face legal consequences as a result.
Minnesota slip and fall law
There are laws in place in Minnesota that allow victims of slip and falls to recover compensation. The legal theory is premises liability, which demands that property owners take a certain amount of care when it comes to making their property safe. The key principles involved include standards for different types of visitors to the property. Basically, the highest level of care is required for commercial property where the visitors are there to purchase from the business. The lowest is afforded to trespassers. Here is a basic breakdown:
Invitees:
Invitees have express or implied invitations to enter the property. Examples include commercial shops, where the public is welcome. The standard for these business and property owners is that they must take every reasonable precaution to keep invitees safe. This is the highest level of care required by law.
Licensee:
Licensees can enter a property for their own purposes, and the owner consents to them being there. Owners need to inform these guests of hidden dangers on the property, but they don’t necessarily need to repair or eliminate those dangers.
Trespassers:
Trespassers get the least protection from property dangers because they are not meant to be on the property to start with. Owners don’t have to warn them or take reasonable precautions to eliminate possible risks. However, there are some exceptions. In the case of children, for example, property owners must take some steps to prevent potential injuries.
What if I’m partially at fault?
Sometimes, injuries aren’t the fault of just one person. The parties involved – including the person who suffered the injury – might share responsibility. The good news is, in Minnesota, being partly at fault will not necessarily prevent you from recovering compensation for your injuries. The state’s modified comparative negligence rule allows you to recover as long as you are less than 51% at fault. The catch is, the court will reduce your damages to reflect your role in the accident.
Common slip and fall injuries we handle
Our experienced personal injury lawyers represent those who suffer some of the most severe consequences from a slip and fall accident. The claims we handle often involve severe injuries and complicated medical analysis regarding our clients’ losses. Some of the types of injuries our clients may have suffered include:
- Traumatic brain injuries (TBIs) and concussions
- Spinal cord injuries and paralysis
- Broken hips, arms, or legs or complex fractures requiring surgery
- Internal bleeding or organ damage
- Chronic pain or mobility loss
- Neck, shoulder, and back pain
When it comes to serious falls, the victims often require intense treatment, hospitalization, rehabilitation, or lifelong care. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, falls are the number one cause of traumatic brain injuries in the U.S. Fall-related injuries are more common in older adults. In Minnesota, 1,200 people 55 and older died because of falls in 2021. The state ranks fourth in the nation when it comes to fatal fall-related accidents among older adults.
Who is responsible for your fall?
If you suffered injuries in a fall, there are several parties that could potentially be liable, including:
- Property owners or landlords: The property owners might be at fault if they are responsible for taking care of the property. For instance, if a broken stair caused an injury, and the property owner knew about the stair long before it caused harm, but neglected to fix it, that could lead to liability.
- Commercial tenants or business operators: Many commercial businesses rent their space from a landlord. The business owner or a manager is responsible for remedying dangerous conditions – like a spilled liquid on the floor.
- Snow and ice removal contractors: In some cases, it might be possible to sue a property owner, the ice or snow removal company, or both if they left the property in a dangerous state.
- Third-party companies. Many property owners, such as hotels and apartment complexes, hire businesses to remove trash, provide landscaping services, inspect and safeguard the property, and make necessary repairs. These companies may be liable if someone suffers injuries while using the property.
- Government entities (for public sidewalks or municipal buildings): While government entities are usually immune from liability for ice and snow-related injuries in Minnesota, there are exceptions. For instance, if the dangerous condition was affirmatively created by the municipality or if the property is leased by one municipality but located in another.
To prove any of these parties is liable for your injuries, you must prove several factors, including the following:
- There was a duty of care owed to the personal injury victim.
- The hazard was dangerous.
- The responsible party knew (or should have known) about the danger.
- The hazard wasn’t corrected in a reasonable timeframe or the victim wasn’t warned about the danger.
In the case of a municipality, you might need to prove that they created the dangerous situation – for instance, if their attempt to remove snow or ice actually increased the risk of a fall.
What should you do after a slip and fall?
There are a few steps to take after a fall to help protect yourself and your potential claim.
- Seek medical attention immediately: Your injuries might even seem minor when you initially fall, but end up causing more pain later. Your best move is to get medical attention right away rather than waiting to see what happens.
- Report the fall: You should let the property owner or manager know about your fall and injuries.
- Document everything: Take photos of the hazard and location, keep the shoes or clothing you were wearing at the time, and get the names of witnesses who saw what happened.
- Be careful what you say and to whom: Avoid giving a recorded statement to any insurance company without first seeking legal advice.
- Talk to an experienced Minnesota premises liability attorney: Your attorney can help you decide your options and next steps. Speak to them sooner rather than later to protect your claim.
What’s the statute of limitations for slip and fall lawsuits in Minnesota?
In most cases, Minnesota allows injury victims six years to file a personal injury lawsuit for a slip and fall. However, shorter timelines may apply in certain cases. For example, you might need to provide notice within 180 days if the claim is going to be against a government entity. Certain exceptions may allow more time as well, such as in the case of minors who suffer injuries. Your best bet is to speak to a Minnesota slip and fall lawyer as soon as possible.
What damages can you recover in a Minnesota slip and fall?
If you suffer injuries in a slip and fall, you might be able to recover compensation. There are several categories of damages that are potentially available in Minnesota, including:
- Economic damages: These compensate you for losses like your medical bills (past and future), lost wages and loss of future earnings, and rehabilitation and long-term care costs.
- Non-economic damages: These cover losses that are very real, but hard to calculate, like your pain and suffering, loss of mobility or independence, and emotional distress.
- Punitive damages: These are meant to punish the defendant, and may be possible in some cases, but only where the defendant caused intentional harm or acted with “deliberate disregard for the rights or safety of others.”
Do I have a Minnesota slip and fall lawyer near me?
Yes. We meet injury victims, parents, and families at our offices located at 1505 Division Street in Waite Park, Minnesota, and 701 Xenia Ave. S., Suite 565, in Golden Valley, Minnesota. Our attorneys can make alternative arrangements, such as meeting over the phone or online conferences or traveling to your location if you are unable to make it to our offices.
Schedule a free consultation with a Minnesota slip and fall attorney today
Our attorneys know how devastating injuries can be. At Bradshaw & Bryant, PLLC,, we’re here to help you and your family move forward after a serious slip and fall. Use our contact form to schedule a free consultation with one of our dedicated attorneys.