Understanding Slip and Fall Accidents

Slip and fall claims can be complex, requiring strong evidence of unsafe conditions. If you’ve been injured due to a property owner’s negligence, call Flickinger Boulton Robson Weeks at (801) 500-4000 to protect your rights.

You might be shopping at a local store in St. George, enjoying the city’s welcoming atmosphere and scenic mountain views, when something unexpected happens. Maybe you step on a wet floor or an uneven tile, causing you to fall and leaving you in severe pain.

In an instant, a routine shopping trip turns into a stressful situation. You may feel panicked about your injury, worried about medical bills, and unsure who is responsible for the unsafe condition. Frustration toward the property owner or fear of being stuck with your medical bills can quickly set in.

This stress can build as you face time off work, medical treatments, and mounting expenses. The good news is that Utah law protects victims when a property owner or manager’s negligence leads to a slip and fall injury.

Flickinger Boulton Robson Weeks has a proven track record of helping slip and fall victims secure the compensation they need, including multi-million dollar settlements. This article will cover the common causes of these accidents, the types of injuries they often result in, the legal process in St. George, and how our firm can help you pursue the recovery you deserve.

Common Causes of Slip and Fall Accidents

Slip and fall accidents happen when everyday hazards remain unchecked or when property owners fail to address foreseeable risks. These incidents frequently occur in stores, hotels, offices, or sidewalks. Here are the most common reasons why these accidents keep happening:

Wet Floors

Water or other liquids on a floor can create slippery conditions. Spills from drinks in restaurants or grocery aisles are prime examples. If an employee does not promptly clean or warn about a spill, unsuspecting customers can lose their balance. 

Even newly mopped surfaces can pose a danger if there is no clear sign telling people the floor is wet. Rainy or snowy weather can also track water indoors, making entrances slick.

Uneven Surfaces

You might encounter torn carpets, loose floorboards, or worn-out steps. These irregular surfaces can catch your shoe, sending you stumbling forward. Outdoor areas might have broken pavement or potholes, especially near walkways or parking lots. 

Proper maintenance and regular inspections can prevent these pitfalls, but some owners or managers neglect them, letting the problem worsen. Slamming your foot onto a low spot or a cracked curb can cause your body to jolt and fall.

Poor Lighting

Dim or flickering lights reduce a person’s ability to see obstacles, leading to slips and trips. Hallways or staircases lacking adequate illumination make it challenging to gauge steps or detect spilled substances. 

Even bright lights that cast confusing shadows might obscure an obstacle. Property owners who ignore basic lighting upkeep may be inviting accidents.

Clutter or Debris

In busy environments such as stockrooms or grocery aisles, items can clutter the floor, and overcrowded shelves may cause goods to spill onto walkways. This situation can lead to people stepping on small objects or tripping over wires, increasing the risk of falls. To ensure safety, it is essential to remove or organize clutter as part of effective property management.

Lack of Warnings or Signage

If a condition cannot be immediately fixed, like a newly washed hallway, owners must place warning signs. Failing to do so leaves you unaware of the hazard.
Even a simple “Caution: Wet Floor” sign can alert visitors to tread carefully, potentially preventing a nasty fall.

Outdoor Hazards

Potholes in parking lots or unshoveled snow near entrances can surprise pedestrians. In West Jordan’s cooler months, ice can form overnight, creating black ice conditions that are nearly invisible. Without salting or clearing sidewalks, property owners risk multiple slip and fall injuries in a single spot.

Although many slip and fall causes seem easy to address, like cleaning spills or repairing uneven ground, these issues often remain unaddressed due to owner oversight or cost concerns. 

If this neglect leads to someone being injured, you may have a strong premises liability claim, giving you a path to reimbursement for the injuries and other losses you face.

Injuries Resulting from Slip and Fall Incidents

When you slip or trip and land hard on the floor, the sudden force can harm many parts of your body. While some injuries heal with minor treatment, others may lead to lasting complications. Here are some frequent injuries caused by slip and fall events:

Fractures and Broken Bones

Falling from even a modest height can twist ankles, snap wrists, or break hips. Older adults are especially susceptible to hip fractures, which might necessitate surgery and extensive physical therapy. Meanwhile, a fractured wrist can compromise daily tasks like writing or cooking.

Head and Brain Injuries

If you lose balance and your head slams onto a hard surface, the impact can cause concussions or more severe traumatic brain injuries. 

Symptoms may include headaches, memory troubles, or dizziness that can linger for weeks or months. In extreme cases, a skull fracture or a severe brain injury might result in significant life changes, requiring extended medical care.

Back and Spine Problems

Slips and falls frequently jar the spine, leading to herniated discs or vertebral fractures. These issues bring chronic pain, numbness in the limbs, or difficulty walking. If the spinal cord is seriously damaged, partial or complete paralysis can occur. 

Recovery often requires medication, therapy, or surgery, putting emotional and financial strain on you and your family.

Sprains and Strains

Lower-impact falls can still injure ligaments, causing ankle sprains or strained shoulders. While less dramatic than a broken bone, these injuries hamper mobility and may mean missing work shifts or limiting daily exercise routines. Without proper rest or medical treatment, sprains and strains can linger or grow worse.

Cuts and Abrasions

In some slip and fall cases, you might land on a sharp object or broken glass, resulting in lacerations. 

Although these injuries might not compare to broken bones, deep cuts can scar or risk infection, creating additional medical bills and stress.

Emotional Trauma

Beyond physical harm, fear and anxiety can arise when you think about returning to the accident site. 

A serious fall can erode your confidence in mobility, intensifying stress over everyday tasks like grocery shopping or walking around your workplace. This aspect of injury, while invisible, can be equally impactful, particularly if you require therapy.

Complications for Pre-Existing Conditions

If you already have back issues or knee problems, a fall may exacerbate those conditions, extending your recovery and raising medical costs. 

Insurance companies might try to blame your pre-existing condition, ignoring that the accident worsened it. An attorney can highlight how your slip and fall aggravated an existing injury, making you eligible for compensation for the new or exacerbated harm.

By documenting each injury, from doctor evaluations to physical therapy records, you can paint a comprehensive picture of the impact the slip and fall incident has had on your life. Whether you face short-term pain or a lifelong disability, having comprehensive evidence of your injuries helps you present a clear argument for compensation during negotiations or a lawsuit.

Legal Process for Slip and Fall Claims in St. George

If you experienced a slip and fall in St. George, you may have the right to file a premises liability claim. However, if you have never dealt with a personal injury case before, the process can seem unfamiliar and overwhelming.

Here is a general overview of what to expect in a typical case.

Initial Investigation

You start by describing the accident to a personal injury lawyer. Together, you identify the property owner or manager and gather evidence, which may include photos of the hazard, medical reports, and witness statements. 

If the store’s video camera recorded the incident, your lawyer can request the footage before it gets erased. To prove negligence, you need to demonstrate that the owner allowed a dangerous condition to persist or failed to provide a warning about it.

Filing a Claim

Once you and your attorney have enough evidence, you notify the property owner or their insurer of your intent to seek compensation. 

If the insurer disputes fault or offers a low settlement, you may proceed with a formal lawsuit in Utah’s civil court system. Although many claims settle, initiating litigation signals you are serious about securing a fair resolution.

Discovery Phase

After the suit is filed, both sides exchange information, such as maintenance logs, accident reports, or witness names. 

Depositions might be taken, where lawyers ask questions under oath. This process can reveal whether the property owner knew about the hazard or neglected routine inspections. The thoroughness of discovery can shape any eventual settlement.

Negotiation or Mediation

In most situations, you will settle the case without a trial, especially if the evidence of negligence is strong. 

Insurance companies often prefer to settle rather than risk a trial verdict if your lawyer has a compelling argument. As negotiations continue, your attorney keeps you informed, ensuring you do not accept a settlement that fails to address long-term medical needs or lost wages.

Trial if Necessary

If the parties cannot reach a fair agreement, the case proceeds to trial. Each side presents arguments, expert testimony, and documentation about fault and damages. 

A judge or jury decides if the property owner was negligent and how much money you are owed. Trials can be unpredictable and time-consuming, but they also provide a chance for a larger award if your evidence is compelling.

Potential Appeals

Either party may appeal the verdict if they believe legal errors occurred. Appeals prolong the resolution, but your lawyer can advise whether continuing might yield a better outcome.

Working with a premises liability attorney helps you navigate these stages confidently, from investigating the slip and fall scene to pushing back on low offers or confusion about the fault. Understanding each step allows you to uphold your rights and seek fair compensation.

How Our Firm Assists Slip and Fall Victims in St. George 

At Flickinger Boulton Robson Weeks, we understand that a slip and fall accident can abruptly derail your life. Whether you slipped on a wet floor in a grocery store or tripped over an unexpected hazard on private property, you may be left with serious medical bills, job worries, and emotional strain. Here is how our firm supports you:

• Listening to Your Story: We want to learn precisely how your injury happened, what hazards you encountered, and how your life has changed. Some clients wrestle with lingering pain that affects their ability to work or care for their family. We’ll tailor our strategy to meet your unique needs by hearing about these obstacles. 
• Gathering Strong Evidence: Slip and falls demand proof of negligence. Our investigators collect photographs, review any surveillance videos, and find witnesses who can attest that the property owner failed to keep the area safe. If necessary, we consult building code experts or safety engineers to verify that the surface or lighting was indeed dangerously subpar. This thorough approach discourages insurers from dismissing your claim or arguing it is weak.
• Negotiating with Insurers: Insurance companies often try to downplay slip and fall claims, saying you acted carelessly or that your injuries are minor. We push back firmly, relying on the evidence we gathered. If they see you have counsel ready to defend your position, they may be more inclined to negotiate fairly. We refuse to accept low offers that do not address your medical costs or lost wages.
• Handling Comparisons of Fault: Utah’s comparative negligence rules let property owners argue you share the blame. They may claim you wore unsafe shoes or ignored warning signs. Our team compiles a narrative emphasizing the owner’s failure to address the hazard. Even if you bear some small portion of fault, we work to keep it below 50 percent so you can still collect damages.
• Preparing for Potential Litigation: If negotiations stall, we are not afraid to file a lawsuit and take your case to trial. This step can be time-consuming, but we ensure the evidence is well-presented to a judge or jury. Our attorneys know how to outline each detail, from unmaintained floors to poor lighting so that jurors can see the property owner’s responsibility.

Flickinger Boulton Robson Weeks strives to make the process easier through every stage. Our team walks you through what to expect, answers your questions, and fights for a result that genuinely covers your losses. Whether you face short-term physical therapy or a permanent disability, we aim to secure a settlement or verdict that helps you move forward.