Minneapolis Slip-and-Fall Lawyer
Slip-and-fall accidents can result in painful injuries and mounting financial stress. With decades of experience and an impressive history of recovering over half a billion dollars for injured Minnesotans, the acclaimed Minneapolis slip-and-fall lawyers at Milavetz Injury Law, P.A., can help. Let us evaluate your case and guide you through the complexities of your slip-and-fall claim to secure the compensation you deserve.
Slip-and-fall accidents can leave you with medical bills, lost wages, and painful injuries. When you have suffered an injury from a fall on someone else’s property, you may be entitled to recover compensation.
Minneapolis property owners owe guests and visitors a duty to ensure their premises are free from hazards. A skilled and experienced Minneapolis slip-and-fall lawyer can help you recover compensation for your losses.
The Minneapolis slip-and-fall lawyers at Milavetz Injury Law, P.A., have over 60 years of experience. We have helped Minnesotans recover over $500 Million in settlements. Additionally, our attorneys have received numerous awards, including recognition as Minnesota Super Lawyers and Rising Stars. Contact us to schedule a free case evaluation.
Do You Have a Slip-and-Fall Case?
Generally, Minnesota law imposes a duty on property owners to keep their premises free from hazards and reasonably address issues that arise. Slip-and-fall accidents on someone else’s property can leave you suffering from painful injuries while dealing with medical bills and lost wages. You may have a claim against the property owner or manager to recover your losses. However, how do you know if you have a solid claim for compensation?
Your case hinges on your status at the time of your accident. Minnesota law recognizes three categories of visitors: invitees, licensees, or trespassers. These categories determine the extent of the property owner’s duty to a visitor and whether their conduct breached that duty.
Invitees
An invitee is someone a property owner invites onto their property for a purpose that benefits both the owner and the visitor. Examples include the following:
- Retail store customers
- Business patrons
- Guests at a public event
- Tenants of a leased property
- Visitors to a public park
- Hotel guests
- Maintenance providers who perform a service on the property, such as plumbers or electricians
Property owners owe the highest duty of care to invitees. Property owners must maintain a safe environment, actively inspect for dangerous conditions, and warn invitees of any dangers. If you were an invitee who slips and falls on a property, the owner may be liable for failing to identify and warn you of the hazardous condition that caused your injury.
For example, if liquid spills on the floor of a retail store, the store’s owner or manager generally has a legal duty to clean it up before someone slips and falls.
Property Visitors: Licensees
A licensee enters a property for their own purposes with the owner’s permission. Examples include the following:
- Social guests visiting someone’s home
- Door-to-door salespersons
- Utility meter readers
Property owners are generally required to warn licensees about dangers they know of. However, owners may not need to actively inspect for unknown dangers. If you were a licensee, you might have a case if the owner failed to warn you about known hazards, such as an uneven staircase. In these cases, you must prove the property owner knew the hazard existed.
Property Visitors: Trespassers
A trespasser is someone who enters a property without permission. Examples include the following:
- Uninvited explorers, such as people entering an abandoned building without permission
- Protestors on private land
- Hunters on private property
Property owners owe the least duty of care to trespassers. Generally, they are not obligated to warn trespassers of any dangers. However, exceptions exist, such as if the trespasser is a child or the owner sets a trap on the property. Owners are not allowed to willfully harm trespassers.
Owners owe child trespassers a higher duty of care than adult trespassers. The attractive nuisance doctrine protects children from dangerous conditions they may be instinctively attracted to. Examples of an attractive nuisance include:
- Construction sites
- Swimming pools
- Abandoned items, such as trampolines
Property owners should protect child trespassers from these objects by locking gates, erecting fencing, and posting warning signs.
The Value of Your Case
One of the most common questions following a slip-and-fall accident is what your case may be worth. The value of your case can vary based on several factors, including:
- The severity of your injuries and the impact on your life
- The extent of your losses
- The property owner’s negligence
- The circumstances of your accident
Compensation can come from various sources, including insurance, settlement agreements, and damage awards.
Insurance
If you slip and fall on private property, the homeowner’s or renter’s insurance of the owner may cover your damages. If your slip-and-fall accident occurs on a business owner’s property, their commercial liability insurance may cover your losses.
If the property owner is uninsured, you may file a lawsuit to recover damages. Similarly, a lawsuit may be your next option if the insurance coverage is insufficient to compensate you for your losses.
Settlements
Sometimes, the at-fault party may be willing to negotiate a settlement before your case goes to court or trial. A settlement can save both parties time and money. Your slip-and-fall attorney will counsel you on a fair settlement range for your case. If the other party offers fair compensation, you may accept the settlement and terminate your lawsuit.
Damage Awards
If the property owner fails to reach an acceptable settlement agreement, you can file a lawsuit and litigate your case. If the case proceeds to trial, a judge or jury will hear your case and determine the damages you deserve.
Compensation Recoverable
You may be eligible to receive compensation for both economic and non-economic damages.
Economic damages are quantifiable financial costs, including the following:
- Medical bills
- Lost wages
- Loss of earning capacity
- Rehabilitation expenses
Non-economic damages are the intangible impacts on your life. These include the following:
- Pain and suffering
- Emotional distress
- Loss of enjoyment of life
A Minnesota Slip-and-Fall Lawyer Can Help
Navigating the legalities of a slip-and-fall accident can be frustrating without legal assistance. A Minneapolis slip-and-fall lawyer can be your advocate, guide, and strategist throughout your legal journey. They can help you navigate the legal system, maximizing your chances of a favorable outcome.
Some of the things your attorney for slip and falls can do for you include:
- Providing a free initial consultation: Meet your attorney, get answers to your questions, and receive an initial analysis of your claim.
- Investigating and gathering evidence: Focus on your recovery. Let your lawyer investigate your claim and collect the necessary evidence.
- Calculating damages: Your lawyer will accurately evaluate the losses you have endured and seek fair compensation for your damages.
- Negotiating a settlement: Your attorney can negotiate with the insurance company and the opposition. Insurers and defendants will try to pay out as little as possible. A skilled lawyer can counter those tactics and advocate for your best interests.
- Managing legal filings: Your lawyer will prepare and timely file all necessary legal paperwork.
- Representing you in court: If you do not reach an acceptable settlement, your lawyer will fight for your rights in court
- Handling post-trial actions: Depending on your needs, your attorney can handle collecting compensation or filing an appeal.
Contact Milavetz Injury Law, P.A.
Milavetz Injury Law, P.A. has a convenient Minneapolis office, helping injured Minnesotans with their personal injury claims since 1963. Put our impressive track record to work for your case.
We work on a contingency fee basis, so you pay nothing until you collect compensation. We specialize in many different types of cases, including traumatic brain injuries, spinal cord injuries, and premises liability.
If you or a loved one has suffered an injury from a fall on someone’s property, you need an experienced professional to help you get compensation for your physical and emotional damages.
Contact a Minneapolis slip-and-fall lawyer at Milavetz Injury Law, P.A., by calling us at 763-560-0000 or submitting a form online.
Minneapolis Slip-and-Fall Accident FAQs
What is the statute of limitations on slips and falls in Minnesota?
In Minnesota, the personal injury statute of limitations typically allows you six years from the accident date to file your lawsuit.
What causes slip-and-fall accidents in Minnesota?
Indoor hazards, such as wet floors, clutter, poor lighting, or lack of handrails, can cause slip-and-fall accidents. Winter weather conditions, including icy sidewalks, snowy parking lots, or black ice, are other common causes. Even ground-level falls can result in serious injuries.
What injuries are commonly caused by slip-and-fall accidents?
Slips and falls can result in various injuries, including soft tissue sprains, fractured bones, head and brain injuries, and spinal cord and back injuries.
How much does a Minneapolis slip-and-fall attorney cost?
The Minneapolis slip and fall lawyers at Millavetz Law operate on a contingency fee basis, meaning you pay nothing unless and until they collect compensation for you.
What causes slips and falls during winter in Minnesota?
Minnesota has notoriously icy, cold winters. Black ice, snow, and icy public spaces can result in slip-and-fall accidents. Even indoor floors can become hazardous when visitors track melting snow inside.
What should you do after a slip-and-fall accident?
After a slip-and-fall accident, you should seek prompt medical help. Report your accident to the authorities and property owner as soon as possible. The next step is to speak with an experienced and knowledgeable Minneapolis slip-and-fall lawyer regarding your legal options for just compensation.
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