Slips and falls are a significant source of local personal injury cases. These incidents can result in severe physical injuries, reductions in a person’s quality of life, and the inability to earn a living.
Property owners have a legal obligation to protect invited guests from harm. Defendants and their insurance companies may argue that you contributed to the incident, or that the hazard was open and obvious. These arguments may be difficult to contest alone, but a Portland slip and fall lawyer can help you prove your case in court. Contact Gideon Asen LLC to speak with a personal injury attorney that can help you pursue the financial compensation you deserve.
Landowner’s Duty of Care
Slip and fall claims are a subsection of premises liability cases, which outline the obligation of landowners to keep guests safe from harm while they are on their property. Unlike in other states, this requirement is universal, and the law does not examine why a guest was on the property or whether the land is open for a commercial purpose.
Instead, landowners are legally obligated to protect invited guests on their property from foreseeable harm. This harm may include:
- Standing water
- Ice or snow
- Loose carpeting
- Freshly waxed floors
- Broken stairs
A Portland attorney can obtain the evidence necessary to show that a landowner was negligent in allowing a slip or fall to occur on their property.
Seeking Compensation for Damages After a Fall
Slips and falls can inflict severe physical injuries, including separated joints, broken bones, and concussions. Someone who has sustained such injuries due to another person’s negligence may be eligible to demand compensation for past and future medical bills. In addition to these expenses, cases may also seek compensation for other losses such as pain and suffering, emotional trauma, reduced quality of life, and lost wages.
When pursuing financial compensation, it is crucial to recognize the state’s law concerning shared fault. After an accident, a defendant landowner may argue that an injured person did not take the appropriate steps to protect themselves from harm. According to Maine Court Procedure – Civil § 156, a court must evaluate the actions of both the alleged victim and the landowner to assign fault for an incident. If the court determines that the injured party was more than half to blame for the event, they cannot collect compensation from the landowner. A Portland attorney can help prove that a landowner’s negligence was the sole reason for a client’s slip or fall and subsequent injuries.
Contact a Portland Slip and Fall Attorney Now to Discuss Your Case
Under state law, landowners are responsible for protecting invited guests from harm while on their property. This duty of care applies to slips and falls, meaning that property owners should clear all potential hazards or place warning signs near dangerous structural defects. If a landowner has failed to adhere to these standards and you sustained injuries as a result, you may be entitled to pursue compensation for your losses.
Speak with a Portland slip and fall lawyer today to learn more. The attorneys at Gideon Asen LLC are prepared to investigate the reason for a fall and can help hold the responsible landowner liable. Reach out today to schedule an appointment and explore your legal options.
