Slip and fall accidents occur in all types of settings. They cause injuries ranging from sprains and strains to severe brain injuries. If you’ve slipped and fallen on someone else’s property in Columbus, Ohio, you could be entitled to compensation for your injuries.
At Mani Ellis & Layne, PLLC, our attorneys are skilled trial lawyers and resourceful negotiators. Since opening our law firm in 2007, we have won hundreds of millions of dollars for our clients in jury verdicts and settlements.
Our attorneys accept cases for a contingency fee. You do not pay attorney’s fees upfront. Instead, we are paid from the proceeds we recover for your case. In other words, we are only paid if we win compensation for your case.
Contact our law firm at (614) 587 8423 for a free consultation with a Columbus slip and fall accident lawyer. We want to help you get the money you need and deserve after a slip, trip, and fall accident.
How Mani Ellis & Layne, PLLC Can Help With a Slip and Fall Accident Claim in Columbus, Ohio
Insurance companies treat slip and fall claims as “minor” injury claims. However, slip and fall accidents can cause severe injuries and impairments. They cause financial losses and devastating consequences for victims. Nothing is “minor” about a fall for the victim and their family.
A slip and fall accident is generally a premises liability claim. These claims are complicated personal injury cases. You need a lawyer with substantial experience handling these types of cases, like our attorneys at Mani Ellis & Layne, PLLC.
When you hire our top-rated Columbus personal injury lawyers, you can trust we will:
- Investigate the cause of your slip and fall accident
- Identify the parties responsible for the conditions that led to your fall
- Gather evidence proving fault and liability
- File insurance claims and handle all matters related to settling those claims
- Demand the total value of your case after carefully documenting and analyzing your damages
- Work with leading experts to gather additional evidence when necessary
- File a lawsuit and take your case to court if settlement negotiations fail
You can trust you will receive exceptional legal services when you hire our award-winning personal injury law firm in Columbus, OH. Our attorneys have Superb 10.0 ratings with Avvo and have achieved the highest peer rating with Martindale-Hubbel, the AV Preeminent rating. Our legal team is dedicated and passionate about helping injured victims receive the money they need and deserve.
If you were injured in a slip and fall accident, you need trusted legal advice and aggressive representation. Mani Ellis & Layne, PLLC is the right personal injury law firm for you. Call now to schedule a free case evaluation with a slip and fall accident lawyer in Columbus, OH.
Common Causes of Slip and Fall Accidents in Columbus, OH
Slips, trips, and falls are common personal injury claims. A slip and fall is when your foot slips out from under you because you lost traction with the floor. A trip and fall occurs when your foot encounters an object, stops, and your body falls forward. Both types of falls are dangerous.
Many slip-and-fall accidents are caused by a property owner’s negligence or wrongdoing. Common causes of slip and fall accidents include:
- Damaged flooring
- Slippery or wet surfaces
- Uneven flooring and surfaces
- Loose rugs and mats
- Inadequate lighting
- Cracks and potholes
- Obstacles in walkways
- Lack of handrails
- Poorly maintained stairs
- Exposed cables and wiring
The property owner and/or the party in control of the property could be liable for your injuries. However, you must prove the elements of a premises liability claim before you can recover compensation for your damages.
We Handle All Types of Slip and Fall Claims in Ohio
A slip-and-fall accident may happen anywhere. Examples of cases our attorneys handle include, but are not limited to, slip and fall accidents at:
- Amusement parks
- Schools and daycares
- Restaurants, stores, and other businesses
- Entertainment and sports venues
- Escalators and elevators
- Apartment complexes
- Swimming pools
- Parks and gyms
- Sidewalks and walkways
- Bars and nightclubs
- Gas stations
- Parking lots and garages
Contact Mani Ellis & Layne, PLLC, to speak with a Columbus slip and fall accident attorney to determine if you have a claim against a property owner or other party for damages after a fall.
How Do I Prove Liability for a Columbus Slip and Fall Accident?
Generally, slip and fall accidents are covered by premises liability. Property owners have a duty to maintain safe premises for their invitees and guests. They can be held liable for injuries and damages if they fail to meet their duty of care.
Other parties who have control of the property could also be liable. Those parties include, but are not limited to, renters, management companies, business owners, and companies.
The legal elements of a slip and fall accident claim are:
- The property owner had a legal duty of care
- The property owner breached the duty of care
- The property owner’s breach of duty was the direct and proximate cause of your injuries
- You sustained injuries and damages because of the breach of duty
You can help build a case for liability by documenting the accident scene after your fall. If possible, take photographs of the area, including the hazard that caused your fall. Make a video of the scene to capture everything as it was when you fell. Ask witnesses for their contact information.
Our Columbus slip and fall accident lawyers investigate your case, but having evidence that shows the scene as it was when you fell can significantly strengthen your claim.
Slip and Fall Accidents Can Cause Severe Injuries
Victims of slip and fall accidents may sustain catastrophic injuries. Some injuries could lead to death or permanent impairment. At Mani Ellis & Layne, PLLC, our attorneys handle all types of injury cases, including:
- Back injuries
- Ankle and wrist injuries
- Traumatic brain injury
- Neck injuries
- Broken bones and fractures
- Spinal cord injuries
- Paralysis
- Soft tissue injuries
- Facial injuries
- Lacerations and wounds
Seek immediate medical treatment for your injuries. You must prove the fall caused your injuries. Timely medical care can tie the injuries to your fall.
What Damages Are Available for a Slip and Fall Accident in Columbus, OH?
A slip-and-fall accident can cause several types of damages. You may sustain physical injuries and experience emotional distress. You also incur financial losses and expenses related to the accident.
Ohio tort law provides for compensatory damages in personal injury cases. Therefore, you can receive reimbursement for economic damages, including:
- Medical bills and expenses
- Rehabilitative therapies
- Out-of-pocket expenses
- Property damage
- Household services and personal care
- Lost wages and benefits
You can also seek compensation for your pain and suffering. These damages are called non-economic damages and include:
- Impairments and disabilities
- Physical pain and suffering
- Loss of enjoyment of life
- Emotional distress
- Scarring and disfigurement
- Mental anguish
If your slip and fall accident causes a life-long impairment, you may recover future damages. These damages represent the losses you will continue to incur for the rest of your life because of the impairment. Examples of future damages include diminished quality of life, reductions in earning capacity, long-term care, and ongoing medical treatment.
What Happens if I Am Partially at Fault for My Slip and Fall Accident in Ohio?
Ohio Revised Code §2315.33 states that contributory fault does not bar a victim from recovering damages. Contributory fault is when a victim is partially to blame for the cause of the injuries. However, the victim’s compensation is reduced by their percentage of fault.
For example, suppose a jury awards you $500,000 for damages in a slip and fall accident case. However, the jurors decided you were 10% to blame for your fall. Instead of receiving the full $500,000 award, you would only receive $450,000. The court would reduce the award by 10% or $50,000 for your blame for causing your fall.
Further, Ohio limits the amount of fault a victim can have and receive damages. If your fault for a fall is above 50 percent, you cannot recover any money for your claim.
Insurance adjusters search for ways to blame victims. They might try to trick you into saying something that could be twisted to imply fault. Letting your attorney handle the communications with the insurance company is best.
What Is the Statute of Limitations for Slip and Fall Accidents in Ohio?
A statute of limitations sets a deadline for filing a personal injury claim. The Ohio statute of limitations for most personal injury cases is typically two years from the injury date, including premises liability cases.
However, there are exceptions to the rule that could change the deadline. The facts of the case could also change the deadline to file a lawsuit, such as the parties involved in the case.
Therefore, we urge you to contact our Columbus slip and fall accident lawyers for a free appointment. It takes time to investigate a claim and prepare for settlement. Furthermore, evidence could be lost and destroyed the longer you want to hire an attorney to handle the case.
Schedule a Free Consultation With Our Columbus Slip and Fall Accident Lawyers
You don’t have to battle the insurance company and property owner alone. You can have the resources of a top-rated personal injury law firm on your side. Call Mani Ellis & Layne, PLLC, to request a free case review with an experienced Columbus slip and fall accident attorney.
Highly Rated Chiropractors in Columbus
- German Village Chiropractors – 247 E Livingston Ave, Columbus, OH 43215
- Ohio State Chiropractic Association – 172 E State St # 502, Columbus, OH 43215
- Inner Health Chiropractic – 1201 S High St, Columbus, OH 43206
- Divine Chiropractic & Wellness Center – 67 Parsons Ave, Columbus, OH 43215
- Hale Chiropractic – 172 E State St #312, Columbus, OH 43215
*Disclaimer – we do not endorse these companies or profit from having them listed on our website.
