When you choose Leverty & Associates Law as your slip and fall attorney in Reno, you benefit from our years of experience in litigating slip and fall cases. We provide our clients with the tenacious defense they deserve and are committed to holding owners of unsafe properties accountable. Contact us today at (775) 322-6636 for a free consultation about your case.
What Are Common Injuries After a Slip and Fall Accident?
Essentially, any injury that happened because someone slipped or tripped and fell is considered to be a slip and fall. They can be mild, with just a bump or bruise, or very serious if the victim hit their head and suffered a traumatic brain injury (TBI) or had a complex bone fracture.
The surface you fell on, the shoes you were wearing, and even whether you were wearing protective gear, like a hard hat at a construction site, all affect how serious your injuries are. How you land when you fall determines where you’re hurt. Some of the most common slip and fall injuries include:
- Head injuries and skull fractures
- Facial injuries, like a broken nose
- Neck, back, and spinal injuries or slipped discs
- Broken limbs – both simple and compound fractures
- Wrist and hand injuries, like a sprain or strain or broken fingers
- Sprained or strained ankles
- Broken tailbone.
Although you may feel like your only injury after a slip and fall is bruised dignity, it’s always best to have a medical professional check you out after you fall. Fractures may not be visible immediately, and some soft tissue injuries, like contusions or muscle strains, may also not be apparent.
Complications from Slip and Fall Injuries Can Change a Victim’s Life
Many people seek legal advice from a slip and fall lawyer only after their injuries take a toll on their quality of life or ability to work or care for their family. If you have a sprained wrist or, worse, hurt both hands from trying to break your fall, you may not be able to do your job duties for several weeks until your injuries heal. Although you may qualify for short-term disability, those benefits may not be enough to cover your bills.
Perhaps you suffered a back injury that required surgery, like a herniated disc, which lays you up for months. You’re in pain, missing work, and may not even be able to care for yourself or your children and pets. Damage from slip and fall injuries can be permanent, like chronic pain or reduced range of motion of your back or limbs.
Brain injuries from hitting your head when you fall may cause permanent cognitive and personality changes. Trouble concentrating, chronic headaches, or short- or long-term memory problems are common. In a worst-case scenario, serious brain damage from a brain injury may render the individual unable to live independently.
The property owner or manager often shoulders the responsibility for a slip and fall accident, and they should be responsible for covering the costs of medical treatment you need after the fall. If you miss work or have your earning capacity impacted, the at-fault party should also be responsible for that. Your Reno slip and fall accident lawyer can file a claim for damages against them.
Common Causes of Slip and Fall Accidents
Slipping on a slick, wet, or icy surface or tripping over an uneven surface are the two most common causes of slip and fall accidents. Some common slip and fall causes and scenarios include:
- Slipping on an icy parking lot or sidewalk
- Tripping in a pothole or over uneven ground on a construction site
- Tripping over a rug or carpet edge
- Falling up or down stairs, especially those without safety railings
- Slipping in a puddle or spill in a store or restaurant
- Falling in a hole, such as a pothole.
These aren’t the only situations where a slip and all accidents can happen. These are just some of the most common ones our slip and fall attorneys encounter. One misstep can have life-changing consequences for both the victim and their family. A skilled Reno slip and fall lawyer can help you get the compensation you deserve, providing the financial help you and your family need to recover.
Leverty & Associates Law – Why Choose Us?
Experienced Reno Slip and Fall Accident Lawyers
Patrick Leverty, is one of the lead attorneys at Leverty & Associates Law. He holds a master’s degree in insurance law, and this, plus his many years of experience litigating against big insurance companies, has given him the knowledge and depth of understanding of complicated insurance laws that clients rely on.
Mr. Leverty represents accident victims and those who have been injured through the negligence and recklessness of others, including careless property owners and producers of defective consumer products.
Mr. Leverty is a member of the Multi-Million Dollar Advocate Forum and has received Martindale Hubbell’s highest rating. He is a Certified Personal Injury Specialist by the state of Nevada. His firm, Leverty & Associates Law, has secured over $150 million in awards for their clients in many types of cases, including slip and fall accidents.
In most slip and fall injury cases, the property owner’s insurance company, not the property owner itself, will pay for the victim’s damages. Insurance companies take victims more seriously when they’re represented by a qualified slip and fall attorney, like those at Leverty & Associates Law.
When our legal team represents you, we’re with you every step of the way, from explaining the initial filing through each court appearance, settlement negotiations, or even litigating your case in front of a judge and jury. Contact us today at (775) 322-6636 to learn more about your legal options.
Dedicated Reno Slip and Fall Attorney – How We Can Help
We Build the Case Against the At-Fault Property Owner
The right slip and fall lawyer will make a big difference in pursuing damages after a slip and fall accident. Not every lawyer is a personal injury lawyer focused on slip and fall cases. Our experience means we can determine what your case is worth and how to fight for the highest possible settlement. Trust Leverty & Associates Law to help build your case and provide the vigorous representation you deserve.
Figuring out who is at fault is the crux of your personal injury claim. The first step your Leverty & Associates slip and fall attorney takes is determining who caused your accident and who was responsible for ensuring that the area you were walking in was safe and hazard-free.
In some occupations, employers may be required to follow safety guidelines from the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA), which has rules about work surfaces and walkways. OSHA also requires companies to ensure that the area is free of trip hazards and is safe for workers and visitors. Or perhaps you were a visitor to a commercial or government property that was dirty or had a spill that wasn’t cleaned up right away. In that case, the property owner or the business manager would be responsible for your fall since they have a duty of care to ensure visitors are safe.
Your slip and fall attorney in Reno will ensure that every responsible party or entity is held accountable for creating or allowing dangerous conditions.
Negotiating with the At-Fault Party’s Insurance Carrier
The at-fault, or defendant’s, insurance company is probably going to be the one paying for your claim. Businesses carry liability insurance for just this purpose. However, just because the insurance is in place to compensate people who get hurt on the property doesn’t mean that the insurance company happily hands you a check. They prefer to pay as little as possible, if at all. That’s why consulting with a Reno slip and fall attorney with experience in negotiations is a wise choice.
FAQs
Victims pursuing a slip and fall lawsuit often have many questions. Our Reno slip and fall accident lawyers answer some of the most common.
Anyone can get hurt from a fall, but elderly people often have the most serious injuries because they may be frail or have brittle bones. If you are wearing high heels or other unsupportive shoes, you may have a higher risk of tripping.
Medical care from slip and fall accidents can be extensive, and many victims may have multiple injuries from the fall, such as a sprained ankle and broken wrists. You may require surgery to fix a damaged spine, for example, or be unable to work for several weeks while you heal. All of this costs money, even if you have health insurance.
Your Reno slip and fall lawyer fights for a large enough settlement to cover your medical bills and missed wages from work. You’re also entitled to receive compensation for the pain and suffering you experience due to your injuries, which your lawyer will include in their claim for damages.
Like most personal injury attorneys, Leverty & Associates Law bills clients on a contingency basis. We assess lawyers’ fees as a percentage of the final settlement only if we win your case. We will be happy to discuss this during your initial complimentary consultation.
If we cannot reach a settlement agreement in mediation or through a demand letter to the at-fault party, your case will move forward to a trial in civil court. Although most of our cases are settled through mediation, not all are, especially if the defendant disputes the cause of the accident. We fight just as hard at trial as we do in negotiations.
Victims in Nevada have a time limit to file suit, called the statute of limitations. You have two years from the date of your accident to file suit; otherwise, the court will likely dismiss your case, no matter how strongly the facts are in your favor. The earlier you file, the easier your lawyer’s job is. Witness accounts are fresher, and any recorded footage of the accident may not have been erased yet.
Many of our clients have other questions specific to their case. We happily answer these for you in your initial consultation and as they arise during the process.
Do You Need a Slip and Fall Attorney in Reno?
You might have legal options if you or a loved one suffered injuries from a slip and fall. Leverty & Associates Law can help you learn what your recourse for compensation is and file a lawsuit for damages on your behalf.
We have a dedicated legal team to help build your case and achieve financial justice. Contact us today at (775) 322-6636 for a complimentary assessment of your case.
Attorney Patrick Leverty
With his master’s in insurance law, Patrick routinely helps individuals and businesses who are having issues with their insurance company. He also has extensive experience with personal injury actions, complex tort actions, product liability matters, and class actions. Patrick Leverty is rated AV by Martindale Hubbell (the highest rating) and has been granted membership in the Million Dollar Advocate Forum, and Multi-Million Dollar Advocate Forum. Patrick Leverty has been certified as a Personal Injury Specialist by the State Bar of Nevada. [ Attorney Bio ]
