Des Moines Slip and Fall Lawyer

Slip and Fall Lawyer Des Moines IA

If you are in need of a slip and fall lawyer Des Moines IA prefers, Des Moines Injury Law is a law office the citizens of Iowa have trusted for years. Our firm has two objectives we aim for with each of our cases, which are to protect your rights and help you receive the full compensation you deserve.

We work around the clock to gather the facts, assess the damage, and use our determination and experience as a Des Moines slip and fall lawyer to help you try to win your case and bring justice to whom it is owed. We have two strong minded attorneys to choose from and a legal assistant to aid you along the way.

• Christopher Johnston – Attorney at Law
• Christopher Martineau – Attorney at Law
• David Boeke – Legal Assistant

Our firm provides you with a slip and fall lawyer Des Moines IA trusts. We understand a slip and fall accident can completely turn your life around. In some instances the injuries are not severe and the individual recovers in just a few days. For some individuals though, the outcome can be catastrophic. From a broken limb, to a brain injury, let alone paralysis. No injury, no matter how severe it may be, can be ruled out from this type of accident. If you have been a victim of an accident like this, call a slip and fall lawyer in Des Moines IA today.

Slip and Fall Accidents

Slip and fall accidents can be tough to prove. Sometimes it is not entirely clear if the owner of the building or property is to blame or if the individual was just unaware of their surroundings and the accident could have been prevented. If you think your accident could have been prevented, you should contact a slip and fall lawyer Des Moines IA citizens can call on, such as Des Moines Injury Law.

When you are trying to figure out if your accident could have been prevented, there are a few things you may have to prove for it to become a legal case.

• The owner of the property or fellow employees knew about the condition,
  but did not fix it;
• The wet floor, crack, etc. was caused by the property owner or his/her employees; or
• The owner should have known about the dangerous condition due to walking around his or her property, hearing about the complaint from other people, or talking to other individuals that live or work at that property.

Compensation You Deserve

A Des Moines slip and fall lawyer from Des Moines Injury Law may help you get compensation for your injury costs. By law, when a property owner is found liable for someone’s slip and fall accident, they could be held responsible for the damages. However, many slip and fall cases require a seasoned attorney to represent the victim because of the potential for legal complications. Negligence must be proved before the victim can collect damages. Your attorney may have to establish the following:

1. The owner of the property where the accident occurred had a duty to provide a reasonable level of care. This means that he or she has a responsibility to make sure that anyone using or traveling on the property can do so safely. This is true whether you live there, are visiting, are passing through, or are even trespassing.
2. The property owner failed to fulfill their responsibility to provide that level of care. As an example, he or she may have been aware that a staircase step was damaged and therefore dangerous but did not fix it. It will be up to your slip and fall lawyer Des Moines IA injury victims recommend to prove that the owner ignored the hazard. Your Des Moines Injury Law attorney may include statements from tenants and visitors who had notified the property owner of the issues. In addition, it may be necessary to prove that the property owner understood that a slip and fall injury was likely.
3. Because the property owner did not address the problem, you slipped and fell as a result. Continuing with the staircase example, perhaps you slipped on the broken step and subsequently fell. A slip and fall lawyer Des Moines IA provides may recreate your accident to prove how it happened and to prove why the property owner is liable.
4. The slip and fall accident resulted in you getting seriously injured. A slip and fall lawyer Des Moines IA community members trust will document your injuries and your resulting damages. Serious injuries often require extended physical rehabilitation. Those costs could be included in your claim or lawsuit.

Common Causes of Slip and Fall Accidents

As a Des Moines, IA slip and fall lawyer can confirm, slip and fall accidents can occur in many different settings and often land people in the hospital. At Des Moines Injury Law, we have represented many slip and fall accident victims and are here to assist you. Here are the most common causes of slip and fall accidents.

• Liquid spills. A large percentage of slip and fall accidents occur due to liquid spills. Whether it’s a milk spill at a grocery store or water spill in someone’s house, people who walk over these liquid spills can easily fall and get hurt. It’s up to the property manager/owner to ensure these spills are cleaned up in a timely manner.

• Broken handrails. Many people depend on handrails when going up stairs in apartment buildings, hotels and shopping centers. If these handrails are broken, however, people may lose balance and fall. Property managers/owners are responsible for making sure their handrails are in good working order.

• Clutter. Whether it’s boxes or exposed cords, clutter on the floor can create a tripping hazard. If people aren’t paying attention and walk over these objects, they can easily trip and fall.

• Poor lighting. When it gets dark, people need adequate lighting to see where they are going. Surfaces that might not present a hazard during daylight could be dangerous in the dark. As a Des Moines slip and fall lawyer can attest, property owners must ensure that walking areas are properly light. 

• Snow and ice on sidewalks. During the winter months, snow and ice is bound to accumulate on sidewalks. Unfortunately, they can make sidewalks extra slippery, putting people at risk for slip and fall accidents. To prevent this, property owners should regularly clear away snow and put salt on ice.

Common Slip and Fall Accident Injuries

People who suffer slip and fall accidents can sustain various injuries, ranging from mild to severe. Here are the most common slip and fall accident injuries.

• Head injuries. A slip and fall accident can cause a head injury if a person falls on his or her head. Head injuries can be very serious and change someone’s life forever. Those who sustain head injuries may sustain long-term cognitive behavioral and physical changes.

• Broken bones. The sheer force of a slip and fall accident can cause victims to break bones in several areas of their body, including the arms, legs and hips. Broken bones cause a lot of pain and limit mobility. In severe cases, broken bones may require surgery.

• Spinal cord injuries. During a slip and fall accident, the spinal cord can also sustain damage. Spinal cord injuries can result in permanent paralysis, which can make it difficult to live on your own.

If you want to file an injury claim after suffering a slip and fall accident, you may want to schedule a consultation with a Des Moines slip and fall lawyer from Des Moines Injury Law.

5 Tactics Insurance Companies Use to Avoid Paying Following a Slip and Fall

When you file a personal injury claim with an insurance company, you expect fair compensation for your damages, which a Des Moines IA slip and fall lawyer can help with. However, insurance companies are profit-driven entities that often employ tactics to minimize their payouts. It’s crucial to be aware of these tactics to protect your rights and ensure you receive the compensation you deserve. Let’s explore five tactics insurance companies commonly use to avoid paying following a personal injury.

1. Delaying the Claims Process

Insurance companies may intentionally delay the claims process to frustrate claimants and discourage them from pursuing their case. They may request unnecessary documentation, conduct lengthy investigations, or simply drag their feet in responding to your claim. These delays can put financial strain on you, especially if you’re facing mounting medical bills and lost wages. Always stay persistent and do your best to document everything that happens during any encounters.

2. Offering a Low-Ball Settlement

Insurance companies often make initial settlement offers that are far below the actual value of your claim. They may downplay the severity of your injuries, dispute the causation of the accident, or undervalue your pain and suffering. It can be tempting to accept any offer available, especially when dealing with mounting debt, but doing so can you cause you financial strain in the near future. It’s advisable to consult with a personal injury attorney who can accurately assess the value of your claim and negotiate on your behalf.

3. Blaming Pre-Existing Conditions

For people with pre-existing conditions, the insurance company may try to shift the blame to a prior condition, which a Des Moines slip and fall lawyer can help prevent. The insurance company may argue that your injuries are not a result of the accident but rather a result of your pre-existing conditions. This tactic aims to diminish their liability and reduce the amount they have to pay. It’s important to provide complete medical records and documentation to counter any unfounded assertions about your pre-existing conditions.

4. Disputing Liability

Insurance companies may often find ways to try to shift liability completely onto your shoulders. They may argue that you were partially or wholly at fault for the incident, which can significantly reduce or even eliminate your claim’s value. It’s essential to gather evidence, such as accident reports, witness statements, and photographs, to establish liability and counter any attempts to shift blame onto you. Having a skilled personal injury attorney by your side can greatly help in building a strong case and establishing liability.

5. Surveillance and Social Media Monitoring

Insurance companies may hire private investigators to conduct surveillance on claimants. They may also monitor claimants’ social media accounts to find evidence that contradicts the severity of their injuries or claims. Be cautious about what you post on social media and refrain from discussing your case or posting pictures that could be misinterpreted. Insurance companies can use social media posts or pictures to try and find ways to contradict your accident or your injuries.

Dealing with insurance companies can be challenging, but being aware of their tactics can help you navigate the claims process more effectively. It’s crucial to gather as much evidence as possible, maintain thorough documentation, and consult with a personal injury attorney who can protect your interests and negotiate on your behalf. Remember, insurance companies are primarily focused on their bottom line, so it’s important to have an advocate who will fight for your rights and ensure you receive fair compensation for your injuries and damages. When you need a Des Moines slip and fall lawyer, let our Des Moines Injury Law team help!

Choose Des Moines Injury Law

A slip and fall lawyer Des Moines IA provides can ultimately decide if your case is worth pursuing and if it is a factual slip and fall accident and someone else is at blame. If you are unsure if your case is worth the legal battle, contact one of our attorneys today. We understand the injuries an accident of this nature can bring, and we want to help you fight this fight and receive the compensation you deserve. Our years of experience combined with our passion for this field of work are just a few reasons why you should contact Des Moines Injury Law for a slip and fall lawyer Des Moines IA trusts.

If you are the victim of a slip and fall accident that resulted in a serious injury, contact Des Moines Injury Law without delay. It may be important that a lawyer begins working on your case before the statute of limitations runs out. Call us to make an appointment with a slip and fall lawyer Des Moines IA offers.