Massachusetts Slip and Fall Accident Lawyers
A slip-and-fall accident can happen to anyone, anywhere, turning a typical day into a nightmare of injuries and uncertainty. These accidents have significant physical, emotional, and financial consequences. Moreover, holding negligent property owners accountable and recovering fair compensation from them can be an uphill battle.
A Massachusetts slip-and-fall lawyer from Earley Law Group can protect your rights and champion your cause in this challenging moment. We offer hope and forceful legal advocacy when you need it most. Our attorneys know how to dive deep into the details of an injury case in pursuing fair compensation for accident victims.
If you need further proof of our commitment, we have over 600 positive Google reviews demonstrating our clients’ satisfaction with our approach. With Earley Law at your side, you can rest easy knowing you have a passionate advocate fighting for your rights. Call us today or complete our contact form for a free consultation with a Massachusetts slip-and-fall attorney.
Why Should I Hire a Massachusetts Slip-and-Fall Accident Attorney?
Hiring a lawyer is a crucial step to maximizing your compensation after a slip-and-fall or trip-and-fall accident. An experienced lawyer understands the complexities of Massachusetts personal injury law and how to work effectively within the legal system. They know how to gather the right evidence to build a strong case. This knowledge and experience are vital for proving negligence and securing fair compensation for your medical bills, lost income, and pain and suffering.
Hiring a slip-and-fall accident law firm provides numerous benefits for your case. Your lawyer can handle all communications with insurance companies, protecting you from accepting a lowball offer. Your attorney can also accurately estimate the full value of your slip-and-fall claim, considering all current and future expenses related to your injury.
Without legal representation, you face the risk of missing critical deadlines, underestimating your claim’s value, or having to handle complex legal procedures on your own. This can lead to receiving inadequate compensation or, in some cases, none at all. Working with a Massachusetts premises liability attorney gives you the best chance at a favorable outcome.
When it comes to your slip-and-fall case, Earley Law offers something other firms don’t: the Earley Experience. That’s our guarantee to do whatever we can to make this process as easy for you as possible. We believe in providing five-star customer service to every client, and we promise to promptly address any issues you have with our service. You deserve a compassionate and dedicated ally, which is what you get at Earley Law.
What Kinds of Damages Can I Pursue in a Slip-and-Fall Case?
“Damages” is the legal term for the compensation you seek after a slip-and-fall or other accident. Earley Law is committed to maximizing your slip-and-fall compensation, including recovering money for:
- Medical Expenses – You can pursue compensation for your immediate medical treatment and any ongoing care you need because of your injuries. This includes hospital stays, surgeries, doctor visits, physical therapy, and any medical equipment you might need.
- Lost Income – If your slip-and-fall injury forces you to miss work, you can seek compensation for the wages you lost during your recovery period. This also covers any reduction in your future earnings if you can’t return to your job or work in the same capacity as before.
- Pain and Suffering – This covers the physical pain and emotional distress you’ve experienced due to the accident. It acknowledges the impact of your injuries on your life that go beyond the financial effects.
- Loss of Enjoyment – If your injuries prevent you from enjoying hobbies, sports, or other activities you used to love, you can claim compensation for this loss.
Who Is Responsible for an Injury in a Slip-and-Fall Case?
The most common liable party in a slip-and-fall lawsuit is whoever owns the property where the accident occurred. Massachusetts law says property owners have a legal responsibility (known in legal terms as a “duty of care”) to maintain safe premises and prevent injuries to visitors.
It’s your lawyer’s job to gather evidence showing how the property owner failed to keep you safe and caused your injuries. However, property owners are not the only ones who may be liable for a slip-and-fall accident. Other potentially liable parties include:
- Property Managers – Individuals or companies that manage the day-to-day operations of a property may be liable if their negligence caused the accident.
- Tenants or Business Operators – Businesses leasing space on a property can be responsible for accidents that occur within their leased area, especially if their actions or inactions create unsafe conditions. For example, a store failing to clean up a spill promptly could be liable.
- Cleaning Services – Companies hired to clean and maintain a premises can be liable if their failure to properly clean or warn of wet floors leads to a slip-and-fall incident.
- Maintenance Companies – Firms responsible for maintaining certain aspects of the property, like landscaping or snow removal, may be liable if their negligence contributed to an accident.
However, a fall on someone else’s property does not automatically mean someone owes you compensation. To win a slip-and-fall claim in Massachusetts, you must show that someone failed in their duty to keep you safe.
One complicating factor in these cases is that the level of care a property owner owes you depends on why you were on the property and whether you had permission to be there. People injured in slip-and-fall accidents fall into one of three categories under Massachusetts law, and the law says property owners owe a different level of care to people in each category:
- Invitees – An invitee is someone the property owner has actively invited onto their property for a business purpose, such as customers in a store. The owner has to make sure the property is safe for them. This means fixing any dangers they know about or should know about through regular checks. Property owners must also warn invitees about any known hazards that they have not yet fixed.
- Licensees – A licensee is someone who is visiting a property for their own reasons but has the owner’s permission to be there. A social guest at your home is an example of a licensee. Property owners must warn licensees about any dangers they’re aware of. However, the owner doesn’t have to inspect the property as thoroughly as they would for invitees.
- Trespassers – A trespasser is someone who has entered a property without any right or permission. Generally, owners only need to avoid intentionally harming them. There’s a lower duty of care here, but there are exceptions, especially for children. If something on the property might attract kids (such as a swimming pool), the owner might need to take steps to keep them safe, even if they’re technically trespassing.
How Long Do I Have to File a Slip-and-Fall Lawsuit in Massachusetts?
In most cases, Massachusetts law says you must file a slip-and-fall lawsuit within three years of the accident. However, you should speak with a lawyer about your case immediately. The slip-and-fall lawsuit timeline can stretch to several months or years, and talking to a slip-and-fall lawyer in Massachusetts right away can help you recover the money you need more quickly. Additionally, taking quick legal action after a slip-and-fall means your lawyer can preserve essential evidence before it disappears, deteriorates, or is otherwise compromised.
What Are Common Types of Slip-and-Fall Accidents?
One reason slip-and-fall accidents are so common in Massachusetts is that there’s no single common cause to watch for. Many hazards can cause a slip-and-fall. Some of the most common are:
- Wet Floors – Slippery surfaces from spills, cleaning, or leaks can lead to falls, especially if property owners do not properly display warning signs.
- Uneven Surfaces – Cracked sidewalks, uneven flooring, or unexpected steps can catch someone off guard, causing them to trip and fall.
- Ice and Snow – In climates like ours in Massachusetts, ice and snow on walkways and parking lots are common hazards that can lead to slips and falls.
- Loose Carpets and Rugs – Carpets or rugs that are not securely fastened to the floor can slide underfoot or create trip points at their edges.
- Poor Lighting – Insufficient lighting makes it hard to see potential hazards, increasing the risk of someone tripping over obstacles or slipping in areas that are difficult to see.
Where Are Common Places for Slip-and-Fall Accidents to Happen?
Slip-and-falls can happen almost anywhere, but some common Massachusetts places where slip-and-falls occur include:
- Retail stores
- Grocery stores
- Restaurants and bars
- Office buildings
- Parking lots
- Sidewalks
- Stairwells
- Elevators and escalators
- Public parks and recreational areas
- Schools and universities
- Hospitals and healthcare facilities
- Hotels and resorts
What Are Common Injuries in a Slip-and-Fall Accident?
Slip-and-falls can cause a range of injuries, some of which can have severe long-term effects. Common injuries from Massachusetts slip-and-fall accidents include:
- Bruises and contusions
- Sprains and strains
- Fractured bones
- Concussions and other head injuries
- Back and spinal cord injuries
- Knee injuries
- Shoulder dislocations and injuries
- Cuts and lacerations
- Hip fractures
- Wrist fractures
- Elbow injuries
- Neck injuries
Contact a Slip-and-Fall Accident Attorney in Massachusetts Today
If you’ve suffered injuries in a slip-and-fall accident due to someone else’s failure to keep their property safe, you deserve robust legal support and fair compensation for your losses. Earley Law can help you pursue the money you need to move forward. Call us today or reach out online for a free case review with a slip-and-fall accident attorney in Massachusetts.