Had a slip-and-fall accident in Kansas City? Dickerson Oxton‘s experienced team will fight for the justice and compensation you deserve. Contact us at (816) 268-1960 for a free consultation with a skilled Kansas City slip-and-fall lawyer.
In the aftermath of a slip-and-fall accident in Kansas City, MO, victims are often left with overwhelming medical bills, lost wages, and physical and emotional discomfort. To successfully navigate this challenging situation, partnering with a dedicated Kansas City personal injury lawyer can be invaluable. We have decades of combined experience and have secured millions of dollars for our clients.
How Dickerson Oxton Can Help You After a Slip and Fall Accident in Kansas City, MO
If you’ve been injured in a slip and fall accident in Kansas City, Missouri, our personal injury attorneys can provide the resources to assist you every step of the way.
Here’s how we can help:
- We offer a thorough analysis of your case to determine if you have grounds for a claim. This is done at a no-cost initial consultation.
- Our team will gather all necessary information and evidence related to your accident. This could include photos of the accident scene, medical records, witness statements, video footage, and anything else that might help us prove your claim.
- We are skilled at negotiating favorable settlements with insurers, ensuring they don’t take advantage of you.
- If it is necessary to take your case to court, our experienced trial attorneys are always prepared for that as well. We’re never afraid to go head-to-head with the defendant at trial.
If you need assistance after a slip and fall accident, we’re always here to help. Contact Dickerson Oxton to schedule a free initial consultation with a Kansas City personal injury attorney.
How Common Are Slip and Fall Accidents in Missouri?
Understanding the scope of slip and fall accidents is crucial, especially considering their severity:
- Falls are currently the leading cause of injuries for adults aged 65 years or older. Over 14 million falls are reported each year in this population alone.
- Falls are the second leading cause of unintentional injury deaths worldwide.
- In Missouri, falls remain a severe issue, primarily for senior citizens aged 65 and older. In this age group, there were 740 fatalities in 2021 due to falls.
These alarming statistics underscore the reality that slip and fall accidents are a critical public health issue, making it essential to understand the potential legal recourse available.
What Is the Value of My Kansas City Slip and Fall Accident Case?
The exact value of your slip and fall accident case can vary significantly due to several contributing factors, including:
Insurance Coverage
The limits of the at-fault party’s insurance policy place a cap on what you might be able to recover, regardless of your damages. If your damages are significantly higher, you may have to file a lawsuit against the defendant to try to recoup your losses.
Strength and Quality of Evidence
Your ability to demonstrate that another party was largely (or entirely) at fault for causing your damages plays a considerable role in achieving a favorable outcome.
Severity of Injury and Medical Expenses
In a slip and fall case, the extent of physical harm suffered plays a significant role in determining your claim’s value. More severe injuries typically result in higher settlement amounts because they require more extensive medical treatment and might cause greater pain and suffering.
Your Degree of Fault
If it is found that you share some degree of blame in the accident, any compensation you are awarded will be reduced proportionately under Missouri’s comparative negligence laws.
Competence of Legal Representation
The strength of your legal representation can significantly affect the value of your claim. Experienced attorneys will better navigate the complexities of your case, challenge any attempts by the other parties’ lawyers to minimize their client’s role in causing your injuries, and secure evidence needed to build a strong case, leading to better outcomes.
The exact value of your claim is not possible to determine without further investigation, but the above factors have an influence on what you can recover. The best way to get the maximum amount of compensation is to work with an experienced personal injury attorney.
What Kinds of Damages Are Available to Slip and Fall Accident Victims in Kansas City, Missouri?
If you are injured in a slip and fall accident in Missouri, it’s essential to know the types of damages that could be available. These are generally divided into three categories:
Economic Damages
Economic damages include quantifiable financial expenses or losses due to the accident, like medical treatment costs, lost wages, loss of earning capacity if you’re unable to work because of the accident, and other out-of-pocket expenditures related to the accident and resulting injuries.
Non-Economic Damages
Non-economic damages relate to the more abstract losses that don’t have exact dollar amounts attached, like pain and suffering and mental anguish.
Punitive Damages
Punitive damages are meant to punish acts that are either intentional or particularly reckless and don’t consider the safety of others.
Can I Recover Compensation If I’m Being Blamed For a Slip and Fall Accident in Missouri?
In Missouri, even if you’re partially to blame for your slip and fall accident, the state’s pure comparative negligence law allows you to recover compensation.
Under this rule, any damages awarded in your case will be reduced proportionately to the degree of fault attributed to you. For instance, if you had $10,000 in damages but were found 30% at fault for your slip and fall accident, under the rule of pure comparative negligence, your recoverable compensation would be reduced by $3,000, reflecting your 30% of blame.
Under this law, you can obtain compensation even if you’re up to 99% at fault.
We’ll Fight to Recover Compensation For All of Your Slip and Fall Accident Injuries
Slip and fall accidents can lead to various injuries, ranging from mild to severe.
Here are some common ones that may occur:
- Sprained or fractured ankles
- Broken bones, particularly hips, in older adults
- Head injuries such as concussions or other traumatic brain injuries
- Spinal cord injuries
- Soft tissue damage
Though sometimes slip and fall incidents can sound like minor events, consequences can end up being quite severe.
What Causes Most Slip and Fall Accidents in Kansas City, Missouri?
Slip and fall accidents in Kansas City, Missouri, can occur for many reasons.
Some of the most common include:
- Unstable surfaces
- Uneven sidewalks
- Spills that create slippery floors
- Lack of warning signs
- Poor lighting conditions
- Broken handrails
- Broken steps
Make sure you work with experienced slip and fall lawyers so they can help determine the cause and work to get you the most compensation possible for your injuries and losses.
How Do I Prove Negligence After a Slip and Fall Accident in Missouri?
In order to prove negligence after a slip and fall accident in Missouri, four elements must be demonstrated:
Duty of Care
You must show that the defendant owed a duty of care to you, meaning they had a duty to act reasonably to ensure your safety. For example, if you were injured at someone’s house and you were there legally, they have a duty to keep their premises reasonably safe to prevent injuries.
Breach of Duty
Next, you must demonstrate that the defendant breached their duty by acting or failing to act in a particular way. For instance, if the property owner knew about a dangerous staircase but chose not to take corrective action before your accident and didn’t tell you about the hazard, they likely breached their duty of care.
Causation
It’s essential to also show that this breach of duty was directly linked to your injuries. For instance, if you can prove that falling on the unsafe staircase led to your broken wrist, the causation element is established.
Damages
Finally, you’ll need to show that you suffered damages resulting from the incident, like physical injuries, medical expenses, and pain and suffering.
Proving negligence in a slip and fall accident case can be a complex process, but understanding what is essential to substantiate your personal injury claim will help significantly. The best step you can take is to work with a lawyer who has experience proving these elements.
How Long Do I Have to File a Lawsuit After a Slip and Fall Accident in Missouri?
In Missouri, the statute of limitations for slip and fall cases (and most personal injury lawsuits) is five years from the date of your accident. If you do not file a lawsuit within this period, you generally lose your right to sue and recover damages.
However, exceptions can apply in some circumstances, such as for claims involving minors.
Additionally, wrongful death cases have a different deadline: generally three years from the date of the passing.
Because there are so many differences and complexities, it’s essential to work with a personal injury lawyer as soon as possible to ensure you don’t miss the deadline.
Contact Our Kansas City Slip and Fall Accident Lawyers For a Free Consultation
Being injured in a slip and fall accident is scary, overwhelming, and confusing to navigate on your own. However, understanding the process and working with a competent personal injury lawyer can make it significantly easier to face.
If you’ve been involved in a slip and fall accident in Kansas City or anywhere else in Missouri, Dickerson Oxton is here to help you hold the property owner accountable. Contact us today at (816) 268-1960 to schedule a free consultation with a Kansas City slip and fall accident attorney.
Highly-Rated Emergency Rooms in Kansas City
- Children’s Mercy Emergency Room at Adele Hall Campus – 2401 Gillham Rd, Kansas City, MO 64108
- North Kansas City Hospital Emergency Room – 2800 Clay Edwards Dr, North Kansas City, MO 64116
- Saint Luke’s Hospital of Kansas City Emergency Room – 4401 Wornall Rd, Kansas City, MO 64111
- ER of Brookside – 6601 Rockhill Rd, Kansas City, MO 64131
*Disclaimer – we do not endorse these companies or profit from having them listed on our website.
Visit Our Personal Injury Law Office in Kansas City, MO
Dickerson Oxton – Kansas City Office
1100 Main St #2550, Kansas City, MO 64105, United States
(816) 268-1960