Our health is the most valuable asset we have. Without good health, everything else falls apart. If you suffer an accident on another’s property due to their negligence, it’s your right to seek due compensation. Though such slip-and-fall cases are often tricky to pursue, the experienced team at Hodges, Doughty & Carson, PLLC will tenaciously defend your rights to just compensation.
Property liability and slip-and-fall cases are exceedingly common. According to the National Floor Safety Institute, slip-and-fall accidents are the leading cause of emergency room visits, at roughly 8 million each year. The Consumer Product Safety Commission lists some staggering statistics, citing over 24,000 treadmill injuries in 2014 alone.
If you’ve been injured in a slip-and-fall accident–sometimes called a property or premises liability case–contact an attorney immediately. Ifsomeone else’s negligent act or omission causes you to trip and fracture bones in your foot and leg, don’t hesitate to call 865-292-2307. Our attorneys at Hodges, Doughty & Carson, PLLC are ready to guide you through an initial consultation.
Negotiating Slip-And-Fall Settlement
Swift action often makes the difference in such cases. Your priority should be returning to health and everyday life, not studying Tennessee slip-and-fall laws. Our lawyers at Hodges, Doughty & Carson, PLLC have over 85 years experience, both in and out of courtrooms. Where possible, we will negotiate a settlement with the negligent party to avoid the stress of court. Hiring an experienced Knoxville slip-and-fall lawyer can help ease the burden of what is already a hectic time. Hodges, Doughty & Carson, PLLC will handle your case with the utmost professionalism and importance.
Skilled Slip-And-Fall Investigators
Timing is vital. Slip-and-fall cases, by definition, happen at a location intended for public use. Skidding on a wet floor in a shopping mall and falling is one such example. Hurting yourself on faulty gym equipment also qualifies under property liability laws. Once that mall or gym owner is made aware of pending legal action, steps are often taken to mitigate the appearance of their negligence.
Faulty stair rails get fixed over night. Poorly lit areas are suddenly awash in brightness. To maximize compensation, it’s important to gather information as soon as possible. Take pictures of the property where your accident occurred. Take careful notes of exactly what happened. Pay close attention to the time of day your accident happened.
Unfortunately, suffering after such accidents, few of us have the presence to take notes or snap photos. That is why the experience of the lawyers at Hodges, Doughty & Carson, PLLC is so important. We can guide you through the process of gathering information. Information can make the difference between a successful slip-and-fall judgment and a dismissed case. Our experience in these cases helps to find the witnesses who can confirm your case against a negligent property owner. Often, if your accident takes place in or near a place of business, those businesses are required to fill out accident forms.
Even with all the facts in line, slip-and-fall plaintiffs often have the tables turned on them. The negligent party reflexively claims the accident was caused by the plaintiff. In a courtroom, the owner of the property may try to claim you’d had one too many drinks. They may claim you were texting and not paying attention.
This is where proper representation makes all the difference. Our lawyers at Hodges, Doughty & Carson, PLLC have trial experience with slip-and-fall cases. We know the arguments plaintiffs will make in court. We know how to protect our clients from these tactics and ensure the focus remains where it should: on the negligent action of another.
Tennessee Slip-And-Fall Damages
The damages in slip-and-fall cases don’t have to be immediate. Certainly, the negligent party should pay Emergency room and outpatient costs after tripping on a poorly installed floorboard. Slip-and-fall victims are entitled to other damages as well. If you miss time from work due to injury or because of doctor’s appointments, those missed wages are the responsibility of the negligent party.
Beyond immediate medical costs, services such as rehab could be eligible for compensation in a slip-and-fall suit. The lawyers at Hodges, Doughty & Carson, PLLC have the experience representing Eastern Tennessee slip-and-fall clients to know exactly what damages to seek.
Damages in a slip-and-fall case don’t even need to be directly correlated to a victim’s cost or loss of income. Tennessee Injury Law makes provisions for pain and suffering. The experienced lawyers at Hodges, Doughty & Carson, PLLC know how to properly value pain and suffering in slip-and-fall cases to ensure you get properly compensated.
And not all costs are so easily categorized. Beyond pain and suffering, beyond medical costs and lost wages, those injured in slip-and-fall accidents in greater Knoxville are permitted to file for miscellaneouscompensation for other out of pocket damages. Because so much can fall under the umbrella of Tennessee slip-and-fall compensation, it’s important to rely on the experience of the attorneys at Hodges, Doughty & Carson, PLLC.
Remember, slip-and-fall cases often occur on the premises of large companies. Eastern Tennessee and the Great Smoky Mountains draw tourists from all over the world. Let’s say your accident occurred at an amusement park. Large businesses such as hotels, amusement parks, restaurants and concert halls often keep lawyers on retainer for just such cases. The amusement park that injured your foot and leg has lawyers working to mitigate the park’s liability almost from the moment of your injury. For this reason, if you’ve suffered damages on another’s public property owed to negligent actions, it’s imperative you know your options. Waste no time in contacting legal representation.
Tennessee property liability law extends beyond simple accidents. If you’re the victim of a crime such as robbery or assault, Tennessee common lawmay hold the property owner liable as well. For example, if a hotel parking lot is poorly lit and has been the scene of several prior crimes, and as a result you are robbed on the way to your car, the hotel owner may be liable.
Even an insignificant-seeming accident can cause trouble and financial hardship down the line. If you think you’ve been the victim of a slip-and-fall accident due to the negligence of another, please e-mail the experienced attorneys at Hodges, Doughty and Carson, LLC.