A Slip And Fall Can Result In Serious Injuries
Unsafe conditions in public places can result in serious slip-and-fall accidents. Whether you have slipped on an icy sidewalk, a wet floor in a restaurant or spilled food in a grocery store, the effect on your life can be devastating. You may be facing a prolonged stay in the hospital, surgery and rehabilitative care. Some injuries may even permanently impact your mobility.
At VanMeveren Law Group in Fort Collins, we understand the issues you are facing. Attorney Bryan VanMeveren is a former insurance defense attorney who uses his experience to get inside the minds of insurance industry professionals and fight on behalf of the injured. We will use our experience to help you recover all of the compensation you need and deserve.
You Focus On Your Recovery While We Focus On Your Case
An insurance company should provide what you need to recover, but that does not always happen. Sometimes, insurance companies underpay on claims. Premise liability cases can also be very complex. The laws are strict, and it takes certain types of evidence to build a case.
When you are seriously injured, your focus should be on your recovery. Let our attorneys handle the messy business behind a slip-and-fall injury claim. Along with being a former insurance defense lawyer, Mr. VanMeveren also worked as an emergency care technician. He understands how injuries are treated and is familiar with medical terminology. His knowledge of the medical field and insurance industry makes him highly skilled at negotiating with insurance claims representatives.
Case In Point: Slip And Fall
Client: M.M.
Amount: $325,000.00
Summary: A Johnstown, Colorado, restaurant slip and fall on a wet floor resulting in a severe broken arm, requiring surgical repair.
Prior to the fall, our client enjoys paddle boarding, kayaking, snowboarding and snowmobiling. He was previously employed as a heavy equipment operator. On the date of the incident, our client slips on a wet floor of a coffee shop, with no signage warning customers of the wet floor. Our client sustains a badly broken arm requiring surgical repair, as well as permanent nerve damage, coupled with weakness, fatigue, stress, anxiety and frustration. After recovering from the injuries sustained in the fall, the nature of his injuries require that he seek employment in a different field, as he could no longer physically perform the responsibilities of a heavy equipment operator. VanMeveren Law Group P.C. pursued the establishment responsible and obtained $325,000.00 for our client to cover his medical bills and alleviate his stress so he can focus on finding work in a new field.
Our Fort Collins Law Firm Focuses On One Thing: Helping You Heal
We will take your case to trial if needed, or help you reach a settlement outside of court. Our attorneys limit our cases, so we can focus on creating the strongest possible case for each injured individual.
At VanMeveren Law Group, we work on a contingency basis. Our attorneys only receive compensation if we make a recovery for your slip-and-fall claim. Remember, our lawyers focus on one thing — helping you heal and get what you need to get back on your feet.
To set up a free initial consultation, please reach us at 970-792-2103, or you can email our office. We offer consultations by videoconferencing, at your home or in our Fort Collins office.
Frequently Asked Questions About Slip-And-Fall Accidents
What must I prove in a Colorado slip-and-fall case?
A successful claim generally requires evidence that a dangerous condition existed, the property owner or another responsible party knew or reasonably should have known about it, and the condition caused your injuries. The precise legal standard also depends on why you were on the property and your status under Colorado law.
What conditions commonly cause slip-and-fall accidents?
Common hazards include spilled liquids, recently mopped floors, loose carpeting, broken flooring, uneven walking surfaces, cluttered aisles, inadequate lighting, missing handrails and poorly maintained stairs. A property owner is not automatically responsible for every fall; the surrounding circumstances must be investigated.
Who can be held responsible for a slip-and-fall injury?
Potentially responsible parties may include a property owner, tenant, property-management company, maintenance contractor or business operating at the location. Identifying who possessed the property and who was responsible for the dangerous condition is an important part of the investigation.
What should I do immediately after a slip-and-fall accident?
Report the accident to the property owner, manager or an employee and ask that an incident report be completed. If possible, photograph the hazardous condition and the surrounding area, obtain contact information from witnesses, preserve the shoes and clothing you were wearing, and seek prompt medical attention.
What if the dangerous condition was cleaned up after I fell?
You may still have a claim, but evidence can disappear quickly. Photographs, witness statements, surveillance footage, incident reports, maintenance records and employee testimony may help establish what happened. An attorney can act promptly to request that relevant evidence be preserved.
Can surveillance video help prove my claim?
Yes. Video may show the dangerous condition, how long it existed, whether employees knew about it and how the accident occurred. Many businesses routinely overwrite surveillance recordings, making it important to request preservation of the footage as soon as possible.
What if there was a warning sign near the dangerous condition?
A warning sign does not automatically prevent you from recovering compensation. Its placement, visibility, wording and proximity to the hazard all matter. The question is whether the warning reasonably alerted visitors to the specific danger under the circumstances.
Can I recover compensation if I was partly responsible for falling?
Possibly. Colorado uses a modified comparative negligence system. Your compensation may be reduced by your percentage of responsibility, and you generally cannot recover if your responsibility is equal to or greater than the combined responsibility of those from whom you seek compensation.
What compensation may be available after a serious fall?
Depending on the circumstances, compensation may be available for medical expenses, lost income, reduced earning capacity, pain and suffering, permanent impairment and other losses caused by the accident. The value of a claim depends on the severity of the injuries and their long-term effects.
What injuries can result from a slip-and-fall accident?
Falls can cause broken bones, torn ligaments, head injuries, spinal injuries, shoulder damage and injuries to the hips, knees, wrists or ankles. Some conditions may not be immediately apparent, so seeking timely medical attention is important even if you initially believe the injury is minor.
How long do I have to file a slip-and-fall lawsuit in Colorado?
Colorado generally imposes a two-year deadline for many premises-liability claims, but a different or substantially shorter deadline may apply in certain cases, particularly when a government entity is involved. You should speak with an attorney promptly rather than assuming the general deadline applies.
How much does it cost to hire VanMeveren Law Group?
VanMeveren Law Group handles slip-and-fall cases on a contingency-fee basis. That means you do not pay attorney fees unless the firm obtains compensation for you. Your initial consultation is free, allowing you to discuss your accident and legal options without an upfront attorney fee.