What is a slip-and-fall accident?
A slip-and-fall accident occurs when a person is injured due to a hazardous condition on someone else’s property.
Common causes of slip-and-fall accidents: Slip-and-fall accidents in Houston, Texas, can be caused by hazardous conditions like wet or slippery floors, unstable carpeting, or uneven pavement or stairs.
Common places where slip-and-fall accidents occur: Slip-and-fall accidents occur in entertainment venues, restaurants, stores, airports, apartment complexes, and construction sites.
Slip-and-fall accident injuries: Injuries from slip-and-fall accidents can range from fractured bones to soft tissue injuries, traumatic brain injuries, and more.
What should you do after a slip-and-fall accident? Seek immediate medical attention, document the conditions, obtain witness statements, and consult a qualified slip-and-fall attorney.
Houston slip-and-fall accident statistics: According to the CDC, annually, over 8 million people are injured in slip-and-fall accidents throughout the United States. Of these, medical attention is necessary for over 800,000. In Texas, 71 out of 469 occupational fatalities in 2020 were due to slips, trips, and falls.
Slip-and-fall accident law in Houston: Texas law mandates that property owners must exercise reasonable care in maintaining their property for all visitors. An owner’s duty of care towards a person on their property depends on the nature of the property and why the person is present. The owner of a store, hotel, or restaurant owes customers a duty to inspect the premises to ensure that they are safe and to remove or warn of any potential hazards. For social guests in a person’s home, the owner has only a duty to warn about dangerous conditions they know of that are not obvious. Owners have a duty of care toward trespassers in only very limited circumstances.
How do you prove negligence in a slip-and-fall case? Proving negligence requires you to demonstrate that the owner had a duty of care; that they breached their duty; that their breach caused an accident; and that you suffered injuries and other damages as a result of the accident.
How long do I have to file a slip-and-fall accident lawsuit in Houston? The statute of limitations for slip-and-fall claims in Houston, Texas, is two years from the date of accident.
How much can you expect to get for a claim in a slip-and-fall accident in Houston? Settlements in slip-and-fall cases in Texas can vary widely, ranging from $15,000 to $850,000. The average settlement amount for slip-and-fall cases in Texas is currently around $31,000. Compensation in each case varies, depending on factors such as the severity of injuries, their impact on daily life, and the level of negligence by the property owner.
Damages to claim for a slip-and-fall accident: Economic damages include medical expenses, loss of income, and other out-of-pocket expenses. Noneconomic damages cover pain and suffering.
How can a slip-and-fall accident lawyer help with your case? A lawyer can help determine liability, evaluate your case, negotiate settlement with property owners and insurance carriers, work with experts to establish the value of your case, and argue your case in court. The lawyer conducts a thorough assessment of your injuries, their impact on your life, and the owner’s level of negligence.
How much does a slip-and-fall accident claim cost in Houston? Small claims court is a common resolution option for slip-and-fall cases involving minor injuries and associated expenses. In Texas, the maximum claim in small claims court is $20,000, with filing fees ranging from $20 to $320. Severe cases require hiring a lawyer on contingency, with fees ranging from 25% to 35% of the settlement or jury award amount. In such cases, there can be additional litigation costs in the range of $800 to $4,400.
Recent case results: Notable Texas cases include Rebecca v. Aldi, resulting in a $1.42 million verdict, and Aron Black v. Walmart, awarding $5 million for a slip-and-fall incident. The awards in these cases are well above average for a slip-and-fall case.
