If You are Injured at a Business or on Someone's Property
One of my clients broke her leg at Opryland. One slipped on flattened boxes in the clothing department at Wal-Mart and ended up having a shoulder surgery costing almost six figures. Another slipped on ice on a sidewalk that was salted, but not with enough salt to make it safe.
These accidents can seem like just that — accidents. But when the business or property owner should have known better, and could have done better, we call it premises liability.
How Does Premises Liability Work?
Generally speaking, a premises liability case requires three things — first, that the property owner was responsible for some unsafe condition; second, that the property owner knew about the dangerous conditions but did not correct it within a reasonable time period; and third, that because of the unsafe conditions, you were somehow injured.
What Does Comparative Fault Mean?
Tennessee law operates under the theory of "modified comparative fault," meaning that a jury attributes a percentage of fault for the accident to both the plaintiff and defendant. If the plaintiff's fault reaches 50%, he or she can receive no recovery. If the jury determines the plaintiff's fault is under 49%, then the plaintiff's recovery is reduced by the percentage of the plaintiff's fault.
An experienced Tennessee attorney can walk you through each step of this process. If you're wondering if your accident was a result of negligence on the part of a property owner, call The Hawkins Law Firm in the Nashville area at 615-656-3792 or contact me online.
What Is A Slip and Fall?
Typical injuries from a slip and fall include broken bones, joint injuries and cuts and bruises, but serious injuries can, and do, happen resulting in a need for surgery, rehabilitation services and excessive medical bills. Slip and falls incidents can happen almost anywhere, including residential property, retail stores, restaurants, supermarkets, shopping mall, hotels, amusement parks, parking lots and stadiums.
I am a lawyer who believes in strong representation and communicating with my clients in plain English. I won't overwhelm you with legalese. I will discuss the merits of your case with you and help you understand your options. Our first consultation is free. If you feel you have a premises liability case, call my Franklin office at 615-656-3792 or contact me online.
