Best Personal Injury Lawyer in Las Vegas
Slip and fall accidents are the leading cause of injuries in the United States. They account for more than eight million visits to hospitals emergency departments each year. They are the leading cause of injury-related deaths for senior adults over 70 years of age. In Nevada, slip and fall accidents make up a large percentage of injury cases seen by a Las Vegas personal injury attorney.
The term “slip and fall” is used to describe accidents that commonly occur on another person’s property. Whether the accident happens at work, at a friend’s house, or in a public place, a slip and fall accident can result in serious, unexpected injuries. If you suffer injuries from a slip and fall accident in Nevada, a Las Vegas personal injury attorney at Mainor Wirth can help you file a personal injury claim and provide experienced legal representation in a Nevada lawsuit. We only handle personal injury cases, and we don’t charge a fee unless you receive compensation for your injuries.
Since most slip and fall injuries occur on another person’s property, cases typically fall under “premises liability” law. Under the law, property owners and managers of residential and commercial property have an obligation to make sure the property is maintained in a safe manner. Premises liability laws can legally hold property owners and managers responsible for accidents, injuries or fatalities that occur on their property, if the accident was caused by failure to keep the property safe, referred to as “negligence.”
Slip and Fall Injuries in Las Vegas
In Las Vegas, one of the country’s largest tourist destinations in the world, thousands of people suffer from slip and fall injuries each year. A Las Vegas personal injury attorney commonly sees people who have sustained injuries that include:
- Cuts, scrapes and bruises
- Sprains and torn ligaments
- Fractured or broken bones
- Arm and leg injuries
- Back injuries
- Neck and spinal injuries
- Concussions and head trauma
Many serious injuries often require hospitalization and emergency surgery. In some cases, severe injuries result in paralysis, and even death.
Negligent conditions on a property can arise from a variety of circumstances that present dangerous conditions and increased risk of injury. Common negligent conditions reported to a Las Vegas personal injury attorney include:
- Poor lighting
- Wet or slippery floors
- Uneven walking surfaces caused by torn carpeting or floor damage
- Improperly secured or damaged floor mats
- Narrow stairwells
- Stairways with damaged steps and hand railings
- Elevator or escalator malfunctions
- Building code violations
- Cracks or uneven rises in outdoor sidewalks
- Hidden holes or potholes
- Lack of proper signs that warn of dangerous conditions
Proving Fault in a Slip and Fall Case
To receive compensation for injuries, the injured party, the plaintiff, who is filing a claim with a Las Vegas personal injury attorney must prove fault against the other party, the defendant. Slip and fall cases can be complex, and fault can be difficult to prove. Fault in each case depends on whether the property owner or manager was negligent in maintaining a safe property, and whether the injured party was careless and could have avoided the fall.
In most premises liability cases, the plaintiff must prove that the cause of the accident was a “dangerous condition,” and that the owner or manager of the property was aware of the dangerous condition, but did nothing to fix it. According to law, a dangerous condition must create an increased risk for injury to a person on the property, as well as a condition that could not have been anticipated by the injured party.
In order to establish that a property owner or manager was aware of a dangerous condition, the following must be shown:
- The property owner or manager created the dangerous condition
- The property owner or manager knew of the dangerous condition and failed to correct it
- The dangerous condition existed for a length of time that gave the owner or manager adequate time for discovery and repairs prior to the slip and fall accident and injury
At Mainor Wirth, we understand that injuries, whether minor or severe, can create unexpected pain and suffering, emotional distress, medical expenses, and loss of normal income. The personal injury attorneys at Mainor Wirth can protect your legal rights and help you recover fair compensation for your injuries. Our attorneys handle all types of personal injury cases, including premises liability, for clients throughout Las Vegas and surrounding areas. Contact our office today for a free consultation.