After a slip and fall accident on someone else’s property in Missouri, it’s probably a good idea to look into your options for getting compensation for your losses. That’s especially true when it’s fairly clear that the property owner’s negligence played a part in your accident. Read on to learn more about slip and fall cases in Missouri.
What is Premises Liability in Missouri?
A premises liability claim is a civil lawsuit that victims of injury accidents may file against a property owner. Negligent property owners may be held responsible for the losses suffered on their property. Property owners cannot be expected to prevent all injury accidents on their property, however. Negligence on the part of a property owner is a key factor in most if not all premises liability claims.
How Do I Receive Compensation?
In order to receive compensation, you may file an insurance claim, or go through civil litigation. An injured victim will have to prove that the property owner knew about the hazardous condition that caused the accident and yet failed to fix the problem.
Did the property owner fail to repair a damaged step or floor? Did the accident involve criminal activity caused by inadequate security that could have been prevented by the property owner? Was a slippery floor clearly labeled or were visitors in danger of falling with no warning? These are all important questions to ask in order to determine fault and liability in such cases.
Proving a Slip and Fall Claim
The evidence that your attorney gathers to present your claim will determine whether a judge or jury will award you compensation for your injuries. Some of the most valuable proof you can use in this type of case will often include:
- Photos of the area where you were injured
- Pictures of the exact cause of your injury (the spill on the floor or the hazard on the ground)
- Evidence of whether accidents have occurred in the same location previously
- Testimony from those who saw the incident
If you have questions about how to make a premises liability claim and the compensability of the claim, what your damages are, call the Sticklen Dreyer Tinney Law Office today. Our Columbia Missouri and Joplin Missouri personal injury attorneys have many years of experience in protecting the rights of accident victims and provide no-cost consultations on all potential claims. We can help you determine if you have a valid claim and help you better understand your legal rights and options.