Stratford Slip and Fall Lawyer

Property owners and possessors in Connecticut are legally responsible for keeping their property safe for visitors. When they fail to perform inspections to look for hazards and remedy them, a person could fall and sustain damages. 

If you suffered injuries after slipping and falling on another person’s property, an experienced personal injury lawyer at Bert McDowell Injury Law can help you file a legal claim. A successful lawsuit could provide you with the compensation you need to fully recover from your accident-related losses. A Stratford slip-and-fall attorney is prepared to fight for your rights and hold the party who caused you harm accountable. If you are ready to get started on your claim, then Bring on Bert!

Common Causes of Slip and Fall Accidents in Stratford

Various conditions can cause a person to lose their balance, slip or trip, and fall down. However, some of the most typical causes of the incidents include the following: 

  • Snow and ice
  • Wet, slippery floors
  • Broken handrails
  • Icy or damaged parking lots 
  • Debris and clutter 
  • Exposed cords
  • Poorly maintained walkways
  • Broken or unstable stairs or steps

A slip-and-fall accident leading to severe injuries can occur anywhere. However, grocery stores are among the most common—as visitors can track in snow and water from outside and people sometimes spill liquids within the aisles. A proactive legal professional like Bert McDowell can complete a thorough investigation to determine the exact cause of a slip and fall accident in Stratford. 

Establishing Negligence in Trip and Fall Cases 

For a slip and fall lawsuit to succeed, the injured victim and their attorney must demonstrate that the property owner or manager did not uphold their legal duty to use reasonable care and prevent visitors from suffering injuries. According to the Connecticut Judicial Branch Civil Jury Instructions 3.9-19, the legal definition of “reasonable care” is the same level of care that any other prudent person would exercise in the same circumstances. 

When determining negligence and the settlement amount, the jury must decide if any other careful individual were in the same position, the outcome would have been the same. The jury must also consider other possible factors, including whether the hazard created a slight or severe risk of causing harm and if the defendant acted accordingly. A seasoned slip-and-fall attorney in Stratford can answer questions about negligence and help build a solid claim for damages. 

Types of Visitors in Slip and Fall Lawsuits

Another significant factor in slip and fall claims is determining the type of visitor that the injured party was when they entered the property. The first two categories are the invitee and the licensee. The property owner invites both onto the property. 

However, the invitee enters for business purposes, such as a grocery store, while the licensee enters for personal reasons, such as a dinner guest. The person responsible for the upkeep of the property owes invitee visitors the highest duty of care. 

The third category is the trespasser, and they enter the property without invitation. An owner does not owe trespassers a duty of care but cannot purposely create a hazardous condition to cause them injuries for entering the property. 

A knowledgeable trip and fall injury lawyer in Stratford can determine what type of visitor an injured plaintiff was and how that classification might impact a potential claim.

Get in Touch with a Stratford Slip and Fall Attorney

When a landowner fails to take the necessary steps to keep their property safe for visitors, and a person sustains injuries, there could be a valid cause for civil action. If you suffered losses because of a negligent property owner, you should not have to burden the ensuing financial damages. 

A dedicated Stratford slip and fall attorney from Bert McDowell Injury Law can demand the comprehensive compensation you deserve from the liable party and their insurance company. Call today to set up your initial consultation.