Morgantown Attorney Seeks Compensation for Slip and Fall Victims

West Virginia lawyer works to hold negligent property owners liable

A slip and fall injury is a common and dangerous occurrence throughout the United States. The National Safety Council reported that falls were the leading cause of preventable non-fatal injuries, accounting for one-third of the total in 2021. Elderly people are particularly vulnerable to falls. A review of one year in West Virginia showed that 16 percent of all residents aged 65 or older suffered at least one serious fall. Many of these injuries occur when the victim is on someone else’s property and proper safety measures have not been used. At Mountaineer Injury Law Group in Morgantown and Martinsburg, I and my team of skilled legal professionals fight aggressively to maximize compensation for West Virginia residents who were hurt in slip and fall incidents caused, in whole or in part, by someone else’s negligence.

Common causes of slip and fall injuries

Slip and fall accidents can have several possible causes, such as:

• Slippery floors and pavement — Sidewalks and floors can be slick due to unattended spills, excessive polish, ice, snow and rain. If not clearly marked, the slipperiness may be difficult to detect until it is too late, even when you’re being careful, causing your feet to give way suddenly.
• Uneven walking surfaces — Poorly maintained walkways indoors and outdoors can become rough and difficult to traverse without tripping, causing you to stumble.
• Obstructions — Objects in your path are severe hazards if they are hard to see and not identified by the property owner. You can be hurt both by hitting the obstruction and when you strike the ground.
• Pitfalls — Some problems are hidden underneath the surface. Deteriorating floor boards and covered-up holes are among the invisible menaces that can cause you to trip or fall.

These dangers can cause a variety of injuries, including:

• Concussions and other head trauma
• Spinal injuries
• Paralysis
• Broken bones
• Muscle sprains
• Lacerations

As an experienced personal injury attorney, I understand how slip and falls can happen and will investigate the facts to identify the negligent property owners and anyone else responsible for the incident.

Aggressive advocate works to determine liability for slip and falls

Who is responsible for your slip and fall and how to prove their liability depends on the circumstances in which your accident occurred. If the fall is the result of a property defect, the negligent property owner could be at fault as well as one or more of the following:

• An occupant with responsibility for the premises
• An architect or building contractor who designed or created the defect
• A contractor hired to maintain the premises
• A government entity charged with taking care of a road or sidewalk
• Someone who created or ignored a dangerous obstruction or spill

Whoever was at fault, I will fight to prove that the potentially liable party knew or had reason to know of the defect in time to correct it. My firm will identify and sue all of the potentially liable parties. Then, during the lawsuit, I use the discovery process to compile evidence of their negligence and the damages you’ve suffered. This information will be used during settlement negotiations and, if necessary, at trial.  

Contact a West Virginia attorney for a free consultation about a slip and fall claim

Mountaineer Injury Law Group represents West Virginians injured in slip and fall incidents caused by the negligence of others. Please call 304-202-5835 or contact me online to schedule a free consultation with an experienced lawyer. My offices are in Morgantown and Martinsburg.