Slip and fall accidents can happen in an instant, but leave victims dealing with injuries, medical bills, lost wages, and uncertainty around their legal options for a long time after. If you have suffered a slip and fall injury in Arizona, it’s important to understand your legal rights and options when it comes to seeking compensation and accountability. This guide will provide an overview of Arizona slip and fall laws, what factors impact your ability to file a personal injury claim in Phoenix, what damages you may be entitled to, and what steps to take if you want to pursue legal action.
Common Slip and Fall Injuries
Whether due to a wet floor, piece of debris, or uneven surface, slip and falls can result in a wide range of injuries. Some of the most common injuries from slipping and falling include sprains, strains, contusions, and fractures.
- Ankle sprains are among the most frequent, as the ankle often rolls or twists during a fall. Knee injuries also occur when a leg buckles upon impact.
- Wrist fractures can happen when an outstretched arm is used to brace a fall.
- Head injuries from falls are serious too, with the potential for concussions if the head strikes the ground or an object.
- Back and hip strains may develop from the physical jolt and awkward positioning during a fall.
Even seemingly minor slips can sometimes cause deeper muscular injuries felt only days later.
Arizona Slip and Fall Laws and Liability
In Arizona, both private property owners and governmental entities can be held liable if their negligence led to a hazardous condition that caused your fall. For example, a store owner that fails to clean up a spill or a city that doesn’t maintain sidewalks properly could be responsible for injuries if these hazards result in a fall.
However, Arizona law also puts responsibility on the fall victim to watch where they are walking. If your own negligence contributed to the fall, it can reduce any compensation you receive or prevent you from filing a claim altogether. An experienced personal injury attorney can help assess liability and contributing factors in your specific case.
Collecting Evidence After Your Fall
If you want to preserve your right to take legal action after a slip and fall, make sure to gather evidence from the accident scene. If possible, take photos of the hazard that caused your fall along with any noteworthy site conditions like poor lighting, lack of warnings, missing handrails, etc. Get contact information for any witnesses who saw your fall. And seek prompt medical care for a record of your injuries.
What Damages Can You Recover?
If you are able to establish negligence that led to your accident, you may be entitled to compensation for a variety of damages, including:
- Medical expenses from injury treatment, both initial and ongoing
- Income loss from missed work days
- Reduced earning capacity if disabilities impact your career
- Pain and suffering
- Emotional distress
- Loss of enjoyment of life
An experienced personal injury lawyer from Monge & Associates can put a value on both economic and non-economic slip and fall damages and fight to recover full and fair compensation.
Steps to Take for Legal Action
If you decide to pursue legal action against a property owner, business, municipality, or other liable party, some key first steps will include:
- Consulting with a personal injury attorney to review your case details and viability of a claim
- Working with your lawyer to identify negligent parties and send a demand letter asking for compensation
- Negotiating a potential settlement to cover damages, with your attorney handling communications
- Filing a lawsuit in Arizona civil court system if responsible parties are not accountable
- Participating in discovery, depositions, expert testimony and other parts of the litigation process
- Going to trial if a fair settlement cannot be reached through negotiations
Having an experienced Arizona slip and fall lawyer from Monge & Associates on your side can make all the difference in getting compensation you deserve while avoiding costly mistakes. They understand how to navigate premises liability laws and prove negligence even when multiple parties may share in blame for your accident and injuries.
Recovering compensation won’t erase your traumatic fall. But holding negligent property owners and entities accountable can provide a sense of justice while easing the long-term financial burdens accidents bring. Understand your legal rights, know what damages you may recover and consult an attorney to discuss the merits of potential legal action after suffering an Arizona slip and fall injury.
We have offices in 32 locations and 19 states, including Arizona, Colorado, and Missouri.
Call now for a free consultation on (888) 477-0597 if you need advice on a slip and fall accident.