Cranston Slip and Fall Lawyer

Falls are an unfortunate part of the human experience but a natural part of it nonetheless. It may not be appropriate to take legal action when it is an accident, but when someone’s careless behavior leads to your injuries, they should be held accountable. Our Cranston slip and fall lawyer is here to provide support in your case. 

As a family-run firm, Gemma Law is known for its commitment to the clients we serve and the communities we represent. We have been involved in the Rhode Island community for 45 years.

Our Cranston personal injury lawyer and the rest of the Gemma Law team have recovered numerous six-figure settlements for our clients.

How a Cranston Slip and Fall Lawyer Can Help 

Navigating your slip and fall case on your own can be incredibly stressful. The Gemma Law Firm can support you and your case beyond simply understanding the burden of proof in your injury claim. The benefits of working with our firm include:

• Investigating the incident to determine who is responsible 
• Serving as point of contact for parties in your case, allowing you time to rest
• Preparing your case for trial if necessary
• Negotiating with the insurance company 

Our slip and fall attorney in Cranston will tell you the difference between the property owner’s or manager’s negligent behavior. For example, if you drop a carton of milk on the floor and then slip on it, management cannot identify the problem or correct it, but if someone dropped it an hour ago, causing you to slip, your case may have more merit. 

Common Causes of Slip and Fall Accidents in Cranston

There are countless ways someone else’s negligence may cause you to slip and fall when you go beyond the relative safety of your own home. Some situations may be temporary and easy to resolve, while others may result from consistent negligence. 

Examples of Negligence

Some of these examples include:

• Wet or slippery surfaces 
• Poorly marked hazards, such as wet floor signs 
• Uneven surfaces such as broken concrete or poor floor transitions
• Clutter in walkways 
• Extension cords that are poorly secured or labeled
• Poor lighting
• Faulty railings on stairs

A slip-and-fall accident can happen anywhere, making some cases quite complicated. While it may be clear that negligence caused your injuries, the person responsible for the area may be a little less clear. Some of the common locations of slip and fall accidents include:

• Grocery store
• Poorly maintained sidewalks or parking lots
• Medical facilities
• Big-box shopping centers
• Residential buildings

How Liability Works in a Cranston Slip and Fall Accident Claim

Determining who is liable for a slip and fall accident is not always easy. For example, If you trip outside a shop, this may be the responsibility of the property owner or the city or government entity. 

The state of Rhode Island requires certain levels of insurance for businesses, homeowners, and sometimes renters, according to the State of Rhode Island Department of Business Regulation.

Property Owners Liability 

For example, if it is determined that your fall is the responsibility of the shop you were outside of, is the shop owned and run by the building owner, or is the business leasing it? Additionally, if they are leasing it, does the lease determine who is responsible for sidewalk upkeep? 

Government Entities 

If your attorney determines that the city is the owner of the property and, therefore, responsible for the uneven sidewalk that caused your accident, was this a new development?

Did the city have adequate time to learn and mark the issue for the public? Further, did the city have a contract or agreement with anyone supposed to ensure the sidewalk was repaired?

Common Injuries in a Cranston Slip and Fall 

Slip and fall injuries are incredibly common. The National Floor Safety Institute (NFSI) reports that falls are the most common cause of Traumatic Brain Injuries and that around one million older adults are hospitalized each year for fall–related concerns.

Some of the other injuries we see from a slip and fall can include:

• Wrist and arm fractures 
• Dislocations
• Hip injuries
• Soft tissue injuries
• Lacerations

Some of these injuries may result in a few days of rest before you are more or less back to your daily life. However, some injuries may result in surgical interventions, long-term casting, or occupational therapy needs.

The recovery time can leave you missing out on important experiences with your job, family, or hobbies, and our Cranston slip and fall attorney wants to help you hold them accountable. 

Compensation in a Cranston Slip and Fall Accident 

Compensation in a slip and fall accident is similar to any other personal injury case in terms of what you are eligible to claim damages for. The specific amount will vary considerably from case to case, depending on the extent of the injuries and how they impact your life.

However, some of what you may expect to consider in your calculations:

• Medical costs
• Lost wages 
• Pain and suffering
• Cost for assistive services or devices due to injury

You and your attorney will often determine the tangible costs first by viewing medical receipts and prescription costs, calculating mileage to and from appointments, and the amount you lost in wages due to your injuries.

Following that evaluation, the less tangible claims like pain and suffering are generally calculated in relation to those tangible costs. 

Call a Slip and Fall Lawyer in Cranston Today 

Recovering from any kind of injury is taxing, and the additional stress of fighting with the insurance company to help you make ends meet can have a significant impact on your recovery. 

At Gemma Law, we want to highlight our commitment to our clients and community when we talk about our firm.  Our goal is always to protect your rights and secure your future. 

We offer community-based consultations and financial and medical assistance to our clients. A contingency-based fee schedule ensures you do not have to stress about piling legal fees you cannot pay.

You should not face this alone, so call our slip and fall lawyer in Cranston today.