When you go out into the world, you don’t expect visiting a business to jeopardize your safety. Any property that fails to maintain safe floors can harm you.
If you’ve been injured as a result of unsafe flooring at a store or business, you should reach out to our premises liability lawyers in Wilmington, NC. Horton & Mendez can evaluate your case and hold a property owner accountable for their negligent maintenance.
Causes of Falls on Uneven Floors
When you walk under normal conditions, you are probably not on the lookout for significant fall hazards. Uneven floors, however, can trick the eye and often go unnoticed until it’s too late to avoid them.
Many hazards can cause someone to lose their footing, including:
- Warped wooden floors
- Cracked tiles or sidewalks
- Missing grout
- Torn or loose rugs
- Unlevel thresholds between rooms
- Slopes from improperly installed or sunken flooring
The result of these hazards is often a serious slip, trip, and fall accident. Uneven floors around stairs, ledges, and other elevated surfaces can increase the risk of a catastrophic injury.
Injuries Sustained from Trips and Falls on Uneven Floors
Falls from uneven floors can result in long-term medical problems.
Victims can sustain:
- Neck and other spinal cord injuries
- Concussions and other traumatic brain injuries (TBIs)
- Broken bones, including broken ribs
- Soft tissue injuries
- Injuries to the hip and pelvic regions
- Nerve damage
- Severe sprains and strains
Victims can be left with a limited range of motion or even permanent disabilities. Immediate medical attention is necessary for any accident involving unlevel floors, as several complications can be asymptomatic until an individual has left the premises.
Who Has a Duty to Repair Uneven Floors?
Property owners and managers of properties in which the public is welcome owe a duty of care to their customers, clients, and other guests. They are required to maintain their premises in a reasonably safe condition. If they do not, they will be liable for any injuries that result.
Legally, uneven floors are an unreasonably unsafe condition. Local building codes require that buildings adhere to
The best way to determine whether you have a claim is to speak to a lawyer as soon as possible after an accident.
Damages Recoverable
If you’ve been injured by a fall from uneven flooring, you can recover compensation for both economic and non-economic losses. You can be compensated for your medical expenses, lost income from time away from work, pain and suffering, and diminished quality of life.
A premises liability lawyer does the work of outlining the full extent of your physical and emotional losses. You can focus on recovery knowing that your attorney is investigating your case and calculating your claim on your behalf.
How We Can Help
The success of your claim will hinge upon your ability to prove that the property owner or manager’s negligence caused your accident. At Horton & Mendez, we focus our efforts on proving a property owner or manager should have addressed the hazardous walking surfaces at their location. We examine all sources of evidence to establish liability.
Some of the evidence that may be relevant to your claim includes:
- Physical evidence gathered at the scene, which can include photos and videos taken by bystanders – as well as any security camera footage
- Any accident report that exists
- Eyewitness testimony
- Expert testimony of those with relevant qualifications
Then, we enter a conversation with the insurance company. We accomplish these procedures on your behalf:
- Stop all communication with the insurance representatives
- Provide your statement to the insurance company
- Negotiate for a fair settlement
- Initiate a court filing in the event the insurance company fails to make a reasonable offer
As a victim, you should always keep in mind that the insurance company does not want to pay you what your claim is worth. They often engage in tactics that are designed to get people to accept lowball offers or say or do things that hurt their claims.
Turn to an Experienced Premises Liability Claim Lawyer in Wilmington
When an unlevel floor causes an injury to you or a loved one, rely on the premises liability claim lawyers at Horton & Mendez. We have the experience, resources, and legal insight to help you recover the compensation you’re entitled to. Contact us online or by phone at 910-405-7751 for more information or to schedule a free case evaluation today.
