When you sustain a slip and fall, you may find the only thing hurt is your pride. While, in many instances, this can be slightly embarrassing, unfortunately, you may find that being embarrassed is the best-case scenario. When you sustain severe injuries because of unsafe conditions on a property, understanding how to pursue damages is critical. This process starts with knowing the statute of limitations. Keep reading to familiarize yourself with this process and learn how a Monroe, Louisiana slip & fall lawyer can help you through these complex matters.
How Do Slips and Falls Happen?
Slips, trips, and falls are the most common premises liability accident that occurs. In many instances, these can happen in any location, from city sidewalks and supermarkets to homes and apartment complexes.
Most commonly, unsafe conditions can be to blame. This includes debris left on the ground, wet spots causing passersby to slip, unsecured flooring, broken flooring, or dangerous stairs. When someone walks on or by these hards, they can lose their footing, causing them to fall to the ground.
It’s important to understand that the property owner must have reasonable time to remedy the hazard to be held liable. For example, if a pipe breaks in a hotel lobby and, within a minute, you slip and fall in the water, the hotel would probably not be liable because one minute is an unreasonable amount of time for staff to fix the error or put up a warning sign for guests. However, if the water is left in the lobby for 30 minutes with no warning, the hotel could be held liable for its inaction.
What Is the Statute of Limitations for Slips and Falls?
If you wish to file a claim against a negligent party for their failure to ensure their premises were safe, understanding the timeframe in which you can do so is critical.
In most instances, when you are injured, you will only have one year from the date you sustained your injury to file a claim against the negligent party. Unfortunately, this is not a lot of time, so you must act quickly.
However, if you’re planning on suing a government agency for a slip and fall on municipal property, you’ll have even less time to do so. This is because you must first file a Notice of Claim, informing the agency of your intent to sue. Depending on the jurisdiction of where the accident took place, you may only have 60-180 days to file a claim. As such, it’s imperative to connect with an experienced attorney to explore your legal options, as you may be on a limited time frame.
When injured, Breithaupt, DuBos, & Wolleson, LLC can help. We understand the complexities of this matter, which is why our team is dedicated to fighting for your rights. Contact us today to discuss your slip and fall case with our committed legal team.
