Slips, trips, and falls can lead to a wide range of injuries, from minor bumps and bruises to far more serious ones like spinal cord injuries. In some cases, these accidents can lead to wounds that alter the course of your life forever. If you were hurt in a fall through no fault of your own, you could be entitled to financial compensation.

An Owatonna slip and fall lawyer from Maschka Personal Injury can investigate your situation, explain your legal options, and help you determine whether you have a viable claim based on where and how the fall occurred. Let our personal injury attorneys serve as your advocate and support you throughout the process.

What Can Lead to a Slip and Fall Accident?

Slip and fall accidents don’t always happen without warning. In some cases, a property owner or occupant failed to fix or warn about a dangerous condition. When you enter another person’s property, you expect the space to be reasonably safe from dangerous hazards. Unfortunately, that is not always how things play out. Some of the factors that might lead to a slip and fall include:

  • Spilled liquids
  • Wet or freshly mopped floors
  • Poor lighting
  • Uneven surfaces
  • Broken stairs or handrails
  • Ice and snow buildup
  • Loose rugs or flooring

These hazards often develop over time, which usually means someone had an opportunity to correct the issue before you were hurt. Our attorneys can help you pursue compensation in Owatonna for slip and fall injuries caused by any of these factors.

Common Slip and Fall Injuries

A slip and fall can cause more than minor bumps and bruises. Depending on the part of the body that absorbs the fall, these accidents could lead to life-altering injuries. Some of the injuries commonly caused by a slip and fall include:

  • Traumatic brain injuries
  • Spinal cord injuries
  • Shoulder injuries
  • Hip fractures
  • Knee damage
  • Soft tissue damage
  • Broken wrists

Although anyone can be hurt in a fall, older adults face a higher risk of severe harm. Even injuries that seem manageable at first can worsen over time or require surgery and rehabilitation. A lawyer can help you understand what compensation might be available for injuries after a slip and fall in Owatonna.

Potential Defendants in a Fall Case

Liability in a slip and fall case depends on who controlled the property and who was responsible for fixing or warning about the hazard. In many cases, more than one party may share responsibility.

Business Owners

Retail stores, restaurants, and other businesses must regularly inspect their premises and address hazards quickly. If a spill sits too long or a dangerous condition is ignored, the business can be held liable for resulting injuries.

Homeowners

Private property owners have a duty to maintain reasonably safe conditions for invited guests. If a homeowner knows about a hazard, such as a loose step or icy walkway, and fails to fix it or provide a warning, they may be responsible for a fall.

Government Entities

Cities and municipalities may be liable for falls on public property, including sidewalks, parks, and government buildings. However, claims against government entities follow strict notice requirements and shorter deadlines, which makes early action important.

Tenants

In some cases, tenants control the area where the fall occurred. For example, a commercial tenant leasing a storefront may be responsible for maintaining the interior space and addressing hazards within it.

After a slip and fall in Owatonna, a lawyer can help determine who may be responsible for the hazard and pursue compensation on your behalf.

Get in Touch With an Owatonna Slip and Fall Attorney Today

If you have been injured after a slip, trip, or fall, you may be entitled to financial compensation. Our attorneys are based in Mankato, but we have experience helping injury victims in the surrounding areas seek justice. Call an Owatonna slip and fall lawyer today to learn more.