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Settling a premises liability case can be a daunting task, especially when you’re recovering from serious injuries after your accident. A Lake Charles slip-and-fall attorney can help you understand your recovery options, file your claim, and secure a fair settlement. Even so, it’s helpful to know what to do after a slip-and-fall at a Lake Charles business for yourself, too.
For instance, many slip-and-fall cases in Lake Charles can settle without entering litigation through the 14th Judicial District Court. Your understanding of Louisiana premises liability laws can make a world of difference in how quickly you can settle your claim after an accident.
Louisiana Premises Liability Laws
Premises liability laws cover individuals injured on someone else’s property due to another party’s negligence or misconduct. Under Louisiana law, property owners are responsible for maintaining their properties to a reasonable standard in order to keep guests on their property safe. Individuals on another party’s property are classified into three categories:
- Invitees
- Licensees
- Trespassers
Property owners have a strict duty of care when it comes to invitees and licensees on their property. This includes people invited onto the property to conduct business or for personal reasons. Trespassers who enter the property without consent are not owed the same duty of care.
Here’s What to Do After a Slip-and-Fall at a Lake Charles Business
If you’re injured on the premises of a Louisiana business, you may have grounds to file a claim and recover damages. Falls have consistently been a leading cause of fatal and non-fatal injury in Louisiana. In a single year, the Louisiana Department of Health reported 411 deaths and more than 11,000 hospitalizations from fall-related injuries.
It’s important to note that it’s not enough simply to sustain an injury. You must establish fault through valid legal grounds like negligence or intentional misconduct. In order to file a successful claim, it’s important that you understand Louisiana premises liability laws as well as what steps to take immediately after the incident.
Every slip-and-fall case is different depending on the nature of the incident and the scope of the victim’s injuries. This can make it difficult to know what to do in the aftermath of an accident. Even so, it’s beneficial to be as prepared as possible.
As a general rule of thumb, it’s wise to complete as many of the following steps as you can after a slip-and-fall accident at a Lake Charles business:
- File an incident report or police report.
- Request a copy of that report for your records.
- Exchange information with involved parties.
- Take detailed notes, pictures, and videos at the scene.
- Talk to witnesses and record their testimonies.
- Obtain footage of the accident if possible.
- Seek medical attention.
- Hire a slip and fall lawyer.
FAQs
What Are Common Causes of Slip-and-Fall Cases in Lake Charles?
Common causes of slip-and-fall cases in Lake Charles involve accidents that are the result of another party’s negligence or intentional wrongdoing. Covered under premises liability laws, these cases typically involve negligent property owners, business tenants, or other liable third parties.
Our Lake Charles slip-and-fall attorneys have experience navigating claims involving:
- Dangerous stairwells
- Known hazards
- Lack of property maintenance
- No handrails
- Poor lighting
- Slippery or wet floors
- Uneven flooring
How Long Do I Have to Open a Slip-and-Fall Case in Lake Charles?
How long you have to open a slip-and-fall case in Lake Charles can depend on the facts of the case. Under Louisiana law, you typically have two years to file a personal injury claim after a premises liability incident.
However, in the event the victim succumbs to their injuries, the statutes of limitations to file a wrongful death claim and survival action are slightly different. It’s important that you know your recovery options based on the facts of your case.
Who Can Be Held Liable in a Lake Charles Slip-and-Fall Case?
Who can be held liable in a Lake Charles slip-and-fall case hinges on where and how the accident occurred in the first place. More than one person can be held liable in premises liability cases. A Lake Charles personal injury lawyer can help you identify all at-fault parties.
Injured parties filing slip-and-fall claims in Lake Charles have filed them against:
- Business owners
- Construction companies
- Government entities
- Independent contractors
- Maintenance companies
- Negligent security guards
- Other visitors
- Property managers
- Property owners
What Is the Average Settlement From a Premises Liability Claim in Lake Charles?
The average settlement from a premises liability claim in Lake Charles can vary widely depending on the scope of the claimant’s injuries and other losses. Injured parties can file to recover economic and non-economic damages.
These direct and indirect costs related to the accident include:
- Disability
- Lost wages/future earnings
- Medical expenses
- Pain and suffering
Damages are not limited unless you’re filing against a government agency. There’s a $500,000 cap on non-economic damages in claims against the government.
Hire a Slip and Fall Lawyer in Lake Charles to Help With Your Premises Liability Claim
Slip-and-fall accidents can lead to serious, even catastrophic injuries. In the worst cases, the victim may even die.
When negligence or misconduct is at play, you have a chance to protect yourself and hold the appropriate parties accountable for their actions. At Cox Law Firm, we’re committed to aiding you through your recovery in any way we can.
Founded by brothers James and William Cox, our firm has successfully recovered millions for our clients since we first opened our doors in 1969.* We’re widely considered to be one of the most successful personal injury firms in Louisiana. We’re also a national leader in class actions.
The Louisiana personal injury lawyers at Cox Law Firm have been serving individuals throughout Cajun Country for over 55 years. We’re not afraid to be the dedicated advocate our clients need in and out of the courtroom.
If you’re ready to talk to a local legal professional about your case, our team is here to help. Call and schedule a meeting to visit us at our office right here in Lake Charles to get started on your case. You can find us in the historic Wachsen-Williams House on Broad Street.
*Past results do not guarantee a similar outcome. Every case is different and must be evaluated on its own merits.
