Slip and Fall Cases – Proving Fault in Houston, TX

Suffering an injury from a slip and fall accident in a place you thought was safe is a terrible situation to be in. You might have been at work in your office building, shopping at the grocery store or visiting your doctor’s office. And then you end up with medical bills you cannot pay and hardships at the hands of someone else’s negligence.

To win a slip and fall lawsuit, you must prove that the property owner or property maintenance crew is at fault for the accident. Your best chance of winning such a case is to document the scene and obtain contact information for witnesses and hire a slip and fall attorney immediately.

Steps to take after a slip and fall

If you find yourself in a situation where you get hurt on someone else’s property, there are several next steps you should take.

1. Document the scene: Take photos of the area where your slip and fall occur and any surrounding areas that might help tell the story.
2. Collect witness information: If anyone saw the slip and fall or can attest to the conditions surrounding your slip and fall, get their contact information. This includes their names and phone numbers.
3. Go to the hospital: To have a slip and fall case, you must document your injury. Plus, you might think you are fine after an event like that but really your adrenaline is keeping you from feeling the full extent of your injuries.
4. Consult a Houston, Texas slip and fall attorney: If you believe you have a slip and fall case, contact a Houston, Texas, attorney immediately. An attorney can help ensure you take the proper next steps in your case to protect your ability to file a lawsuit.
5. Do not speak with the insurance company: The property owner’s insurance company might reach out to you with questions following a slip and fall. Do not speak with them. You might accidentally say things that could harm your case.

Determining fault in Houston, Texas slip and falls

Several factors must be present in a slip and fall situation for the property owner to be liable.

• The property owner or an employee at the property caused the dangerous surface in some way.
• An employee or the property owner knew about the defect or hazard and did nothing about it.
• If the property owner or employee were a reasonable person, they would have known about the dangerous surface and cleaned or repaired it.

The final bullet point is more difficult to prove because it is more of a grey area. Proving what’s “reasonable” can be challenging. However, if the property owner has no process for doing rounds on the property or checking maintenance issues, they might be shirking their “reasonable” duties.

If you’ve experienced a slip and fall on someone else’s property and would like an attorney to review the situation, schedule a consultation with us. We’ll evaluate your situation and provide expert advice so you know whether or not you should file a Houston, Texas, slip and fall lawsuit.