Property owners are responsible for ensuring that their guests, tenants, or visitors are safe while on their property. If a person falls and is injured while on someone else's property, they may be able to take legal action to obtain compensation.
Slip and fall accidents can happen for a number of reasons, including broken flooring, poor lighting, potholes, missing or broken handrails, and more.
Victims can contact a Reynoldsburg Slip and Fall Lawyer to learn more about pursuing compensation.
The first step is booking a free consultation with a Reynoldsburg, OH, personal injury attorney.
State Laws Governing Slip and Fall Accidents
When it comes to a slip and fall personal injury case, there are two laws that plaintiffs must take note of comparative negligence and the statute of limitations. An experienced personal injury attorney will explain these laws in greater detail during a free consultation.
Comparative Negligence
Suppose the courts decide that a plaintiff was negligent leading up to the incident. In that case, the amount of compensation they can receive from the property owner in Ohio will be decided using the "modified comparative negligence rule" applicable in the state.
The plaintiff's share of the blame will be deducted from any damages awarded. Moreover, if the plaintiff shares more than 51 percent of the blame, they will not be able to obtain compensation.
Statute of Limitations
A statute of limitations is a legal provision that establishes a deadline for bringing a claim in a state's civil justice system. The owner of the property will undoubtedly draw the court's attention to an attempt to file a slip-and-fall case after the deadline has expired, and the judge will dismiss the case.
In Ohio, the statute of limitations for most personal injury cases also applies to the majority of slip and fall claims. A lawsuit for personal injury or damage to private possessions must be filed within two years of the accident, according to Ohio's Revised Code 2305.10.
Proving Negligence in a Slip and Fall Case
People have the right to claim restitution from a property owner if they are injured as a result of the owner's breach of duty. The plaintiff must prove that the property owner was careless in maintaining their property to receive compensation.
As mentioned above, contributory fault regulations in Ohio do not prevent compensation from being granted even if the injured party contributed to the incident.
Instead, the proportional fault of the injured party is deducted from the compensatory damage amount, so even if a victim was partially to blame, he or she could still pursue financial compensation for their injuries.
A Reynoldsburg, OH, personal injury lawyer can assist victims in establishing the four necessary components to back up their personal injury claim.
Duty of Care
The first element a plaintiff must prove to qualify for compensation is that the property owner had a duty of care to keep them safe while they were on the premises.
Breach of Duty
Next, they will have to prove that the defendant failed to provide this duty of care. Suppose rickety stairs cause a tenant to fall and get hurt, for example. In that case, the property owner will be held accountable since he had a duty to do the necessary repairs to prevent his tenants from being injured.
Causation
The plaintiff must also prove that this breach of duty led to their injuries. Victims cannot claim for injuries that were not caused by the incident in question.
Damages
As a result of the accident and the resulting injuries, the victim must also be able to prove that he or she sustained quantifiable damages. Slip and fall accident victims don't have to fight for their rights alone. They can talk to a personal injury lawyer to get the necessary legal representation.
Common Injuries Sustained in Slip and Fall Accidents in Reynoldsburg, OH
The truth is that a slip and fall can happen in a split second and change the victim's life forever. Some of these accidents cause long-term personal injury, so fighting for compensation can help victims obtain the money they need to receive the proper treatment. Here are some of the most common injuries:
Fractures
Head, neck, and brain injuries
Sprained ankle
Spinal injuries
Cuts and abrasions
Soft tissue injuries
Pelvic injuries
Victims of slip and fall accidents are encouraged to book a free consultation with a Reynoldsburg, OH, personal injury attorney to pursue restitution and get the justice they rightly deserve.
What Is a Slip and Fall Case Worth?
The truth is that every OH personal injury case is different, so the amount that may be awarded in a settlement will vary from one claim to another.
An experienced personal injury attorney will be able to give victims a more accurate estimate of the damages past and future that they may be entitled to. Sufferers can talk to a Reynoldsburg, OH, personal injury lawyer to find out more. A personal injury lawyer can help them claim economic and non-economic damages.
Economic Damages
These are financial losses that can be calculated quite easily. Some examples include:
Lost wages (past and future)
Medical expenses (Past and Future)
Property damage
Non-economic Damages
These are subjective damages that are often more challenging to calculate without the help of a Reynoldsburg, OH, personal injury attorney. Here are some examples:
Pain and suffering
Mental anguish
Loss of consortium
To find out more about the damages they can claim, victims are encouraged to contact a Reynoldsburg, OH personal injury lawyer from The Keating Firm LTD to book a free consultation.
Why Choose a Personal Injury Attorney from The Keating Law Firm in Reynoldsburg?
Here are a few reasons to choose a Reynoldsburg personal injury lawyer from The Keating Firm LTD:
A contingency-fee structure means that the law firm will not charge victims for its services unless a Reynoldsburg, OH personal injury attorney can secure financial compensation
The team treats personal injury clients will care and respect
Victims will receive the legal counsel and advice they need from top-rated personal injury attorneys
The Keating Firm's personal injury lawyers are well-versed in personal injury law and have the experience to handle all legal issues
Other Reynoldsburg Practice Areas
Book a Free Consultation with a Premium Personal Injury Lawyer
Defending a personal injury claim alone can be daunting. The good news is that victims can have a reliable personal injury lawyer on their side to fight for justice on their behalf. To talk to a Columbus slip and fall attorney, slip and fall accident victims can contact The Keating Firm LTD at (866) 836-4878 to book a free consultation.
Need help with other legal issues? The Reynoldsburg personal injury lawyers at The Keating Firm LTD also cover these practice areas:
Wrongful death
Personal injury cases
Car accident cases
Criminal defense
Dog bites
Commercial accidents
Medical malpractice