What to Do If You Fall on a Friend’s Property

Injuries suffered in a slip and fall incident at a friend’s house can put you in a difficult position. You sustained significant personal injuries and may be incurring substantial medical bills, but it can be awkward to ask your friend for money or even file a lawsuit against them.

So what are your options, and what can you do?

What Is a Slip and Fall Injury?

A slip and fall injury occurs when a person slips, trips, or falls on someone else’s property. Slip and fall injuries are a type of premises liability claim. Premises liability means someone was injured while on another person’s premises, and the property owner can be held legally responsible for the other person’s injuries.

Like most states, Connecticut differentiates between different types of visitors and the duty of care the property owner owes them. If you are visiting a friend’s house, you are considered an invitee and are owed the highest duty of care. The property owner has a legal obligation to regularly inspect the property for hidden dangers and, if necessary, make repairs or construct safeguards to make the property reasonably safe.

The property owner is liable for injuries caused by hidden dangers that should have reasonably been discovered during an inspection of the property, and has a duty to warn invitees of these dangers. Courts will attribute knowledge of these hazards to the property owner even if they did not actually know of the danger.

Causes of Slip and Fall Injuries

A variety of different conditions can cause a slip and fall incident, including:

• Uneven or defective pavement
• Wet or uneven floors
• Spills
• Unnatural accumulations of snow or ice
• Damaged carpet or tile
• Obstructed walkways
• Missing handrails
• Insufficient lighting

Any of these unsafe conditions can result in a fall that causes serious personal injuries.

Common Injuries After a Slip and Fall

According to the National Floor Safety Institute (NFSI), slips and falls account for over one million emergency room visits every year. Injuries suffered in a slip and fall accident are often sudden and severe, and can be life-changing. In Connecticut, winter conditions can also create slip and fall hazards.

Common injuries suffered in a slip and fall accident include:

• Broken bones
• Sprains and strains, especially of the wrists or ankles
• Knee injuries
• Dislocated or strained shoulders
• Spine and nerve damage
• Traumatic brain injury
• Cuts, lacerations, and bruises

Any of these injuries can be severe and may result in the need for medical treatment, lost productivity at work, lost wages, and significant pain and suffering.

If you were injured in a slip and fall accident, you may have questions. Connecticut personal injury Stephen Lebedevitch has answers and can help you negotiate with your friend’s insurance company to recover compensation for your injuries.

How to Claim Compensation for a Personal Injury Claim

If you were injured in a slip and fall accident at a friend's house, there are steps you should take to protect yourself and your rights so you can obtain the compensation you deserve.

First, verify that your friend has homeowner’s insurance. If your friend owns the home, they likely have a homeowner’s insurance policy that may cover your injuries. If they do, ask for information about the insurance policy, including the name of the insurance carrier, the policy number, and contact information to submit a claim.

If your friend rents the home, you should notify the landlord. It will be important to identify exactly where and how you fell to prove that you fell on the landlord’s property. The landlord should have an insurance policy that may cover the costs associated with your injuries.

Next, document your injuries and the cause of the accident. Take pictures of the location of the accident and any conditions that caused you to fall. You should also take pictures of your injuries, and seek appropriate medical care. Your medical provider will generate medical records that describe your injuries and how they were treated, as well as medical bills to document the cost of any medical care that was required.

You should also collect the names, addresses, and contact information of anyone who witnessed your fall.

Finally, you should contact an experienced personal injury lawyer. Connecticut attorney Stephen Lebedevitch will evaluate your claim, explain your options, and fight to protect your rights. He will negotiate with the insurance company to obtain a fair resolution of your claim and, if necessary, will take your case to court.

Contact The Lebedevitch Law Firm, LLC Today

Although a slip and fall accident may seem to have been unforeseeable or unpreventable, many injuries could have been prevented if the property owner had taken proper measures to ensure your safety.

At The Lebedevitch Law Firm, we understand the difficulties you may be facing after a sudden and serious injury. We will make the process of seeking compensation for your injuries easier and improve your likelihood of success.

Based in Fairfield, Connecticut, The Lebedevitch Law Firm handles personal injury cases throughout Fairfield and New Haven counties. Stephen Lebedevitch offers an honest and straightforward approach to personal injury law and has the experience, resources, and expertise to handle your claim and recover the compensation you deserve.

To learn more, contact The Lebedevitch Law Firm today to schedule a free, confidential consultation to discuss your situation and how we can help.