At first, you may think that a slip and fall accident is not that serious. However, slip and fall accidents are one of the most common types of personal injury cases filed every year. This is because slip and falls, while they may sound like small accidents, often have very serious and long-term consequences. People can suffer severe head and traumatic brain injuries, broken bones, hip injuries, knee injuries, and other catastrophic injuries that leave them with high medical bills and unable to work.
If you or a family member has suffered serious injuries in a slip and fall accident, you should learn about your legal right to compensation. Denver slip and fall accident lawyer Sean Olson has earned a reputation for delivering outstanding results and unwavering client service to accident victims across Colorado. Contact Olson Personal Injury Lawyers today to schedule your free consultation with Sean, and learn how our team can make a difference for you.
What Do You Have to Prove in a Denver Slip and Fall Claim?
In Colorado, premises liability law holds property owners responsible for keeping their property in a safe condition for people who enter. In some cases, it’s not only property owners that can be held liable, but also occupiers such as tenants or property managers. Some lawsuits may hold both the tenant and the owner responsible.
Regardless of who is liable, you will have to prove one of the following:
- The defendant (property owner or occupier) caused the dangerous condition that resulted in the slip and fall accident and did nothing to fix, correct, or warn visitors about it.
- The defendant was aware of the dangerous condition and did nothing to fix, correct, or warn visitors about it.
- The defendant should have been aware of the dangerous condition, based on the fact that a reasonable person would have known and repaired, corrected, or warned visitors about the situation.
Proving fault can be a complex process, and accident victims often find it especially challenging when they are trying to recover from their injuries. Additionally, there are a number of factors that complicate proving liability. For example, the at-fault party or the insurance company may argue that:
- The plaintiff (person filing the lawsuit) acted carelessly on the property and was partly at fault for the accident.
- The plaintiff was trespassing on the property at the time the slip and fall occurred.
- The plaintiff should have been able to avoid the accident, based on the fact that a reasonable person would have avoided it.
Due to the fact that it’s not only difficult to prove liability, but also challenging to prove that an injured person was not at fault, it is crucial that you seek qualified legal advice from our experienced slip and fall attorney in Denver.