Washington DC Slip And Fall Lawyer

You Have The Right To Seek Compensation

When you slipped and fell on another’s property due to unsafe conditions, trust our Washington, DC slip and fall lawyer with your case.  If you’re thinking about contacting a personal injury lawyer, you may already know firsthand that slipping on something and falling can result in a serious injury. What you may not know about slip and falls is that you have the right to seek compensation if someone’s negligence caused you to fall. With over 75 years of combined legal experience, our attorneys can help you seek justice after an accident. Founded in 1992, our firm is dedicated to assisting those who have been hurt and wronged by others. Schedule a free consultation with the Law Firm of Frederick J. Brynn, P.C. today to learn how our skilled and compassionate lawyers can pursue compensation for a slip and fall accident.

Table of Contents

• You Have The Right To Seek Compensation
• What To Do After A Fall
• Common Causes Of Slip And Falls
• Washington, DC Slip And Fall Infographic
• Slip And Fall Statistics
• FAQs
• The Law Firm of Frederick J. Brynn, P.C., Washington, DC Slip And Fall Lawyer
• Contact Our Firm Today

How We Can Help You

Many victims who are injured after slipping and falling in a business are often under the impression that their claim against the business should be a pretty simple one to process. On the contrary, many premises liability cases can be difficult to prove.

With decades of combined experienced among our skilled legal team, we have established a solid reputation amongst residents throughout the DC area. When it comes to working with lawyers in DC, you have many legal firms to choose from, but not all are created equal.

We can discuss your case during a free and confidential consultation. Afterward, you should have a clearer picture of your legal options so that you can make a decision best suited for your needs and circumstances. Some reasons why people elect to hire our firm include:

• We have over 75 years of combined experience.
• We listen to our clients.
• We offer honest and practical legal advice.
• We will commit all available resources to your slip and fall case.
• We carry out in-depth investigations of slip and fall and other personal injury cases.
• We provide hospital and home visits to those who cannot come to us for consultations.
• We use a contingency fee structure so that you do not pay us until or unless we recover damages on your behalf, making legal representation affordable for those who can’t afford a lawyer.
• We are prepared to go to trial if we cannot negotiate a fair settlement on your behalf.
• We will remain in frequent contact with you as your case progresses.
• We will make every effort to get you the maximum amount of compensation possible.

No matter what the details of your case may be, we encourage you to contact our personal injury law firm as quickly as possible. During this initial call, you and our attorney will discuss your case. There is no charge for the first consultation.

It’s important to keep in mind that there is a three-year statute of limitations for slip and fall cases in Washington D.C. The sooner you contact one of our lawyers, the better your chances are for receiving a fair settlement.

Compensation May Be Available

Every slip and fall case is inherently unique. In general, the worse your injuries are, the more compensation you may be able to collect. For this reason, it is prudent to see a medical doctor as soon as possible following the incident. Be sure to tell the doctor of any aches or pains regardless of how minor you might think it to be. We can review your medical records and extent of your personal injury damages to determine the value of your case. Typically, this damage total will include losses such as:

• All related medical bills
• Future medical costs
• Physical rehabilitation
• Lost wages from the inability to work
• Pain and suffering

Sometimes, punitive damages are also sought. These damages are meant to punish the negligent party so that another person will not become injured in the same way. If you are the family member who lost a loved one in a slip and fall accident, you might also benefit from working with our wrongful death lawyer for advice. Compensation may be available to cover a number of losses related to the death, including funeral expenses.

What To Do After A Fall

Below we have listed the five steps to take after slipping and taking a hard tumble while shopping in a store. After that, we strongly advise speaking with our DC slip and fall lawyer for support.

Get Medical Treatment

The health of the person who slipped and fell is of the utmost importance. So, whether it was you or someone you care about that fell, you must call 911 so they can get medically evaluated before leaving. Of course, it’s most important that a person’s health is taken care of. But also, secondary to this is if you don’t have certain pieces of evidence related to the incident, you may not have a strong enough case to pursue compensation for injuries. Medical records strengthen personal injury claims by connecting the accident to the suffering you endured.

Document The Area

As a component of your claim against the store, you will need to provide evidence of the incident. You can document the area you fell by taking photographs and video on your phone. You can also ask bystanders if they will give you their contact details to provide a statement about what they saw later on.

It’s even a good idea to begin a post-accident pain journal where you include your testimony about how the slip and fall happened through your eyes, and any symptoms you experience in the days to follow. Place what you were wearing in a safe storage bin or basket at home, as these articles of clothing may be used by our attorney during your case as elements of proof.

Communicate About Your Fall With The Property Owner Or Manager

It’s best practice to report your accident to whoever’s in charge of the property where you fell. They will have you complete paperwork and ask for details about how the slip and fall occurred, along with any potential injuries. Ask for a copy of this incident report for your own records and to give our attorney at our Washington, DC slip and fall injury law firm.

Do Not Speak With Anyone Else

After reporting the incident to a manager, it is vital that you then do not speak with anyone else at the store about what happened. Do not post about it on your social media, and do not answer additional questions by store staff who seem to be concerned for your well being. Remember that most stores want to protect themselves against liability at any cost, so it’s in your best interest to keep things factual and not overshare.

Speak With An Attorney

During this time, our attorney is going to have your best interests in mind more than anyone else. Our attorney can represent your case and make sure that your claim against the store is handled properly. Our personal injury lawyers can advise the next steps to take in getting financial restitution for losses such as medical bills, loss of wages from missing work, property damage, pain and suffering, and more.

Common Causes Of Slip and Falls

Slip and fall accidents are one of the most common types of personal injury cases we handle. They can occur in many different settings and cause minor to serious injuries. Here are the most common causes of slip and fall accident:

• Snow And Ice. In the wintertime, snow and ice are natural occurrences. However, if you walk over snow and ice, you are at risk of suffering a slip and fall accident. That’s why it’s important for property owners to regularly shovel snow off their sidewalks and sprinkle salt. If property owners fail to take these precautionary steps and you suffer an accident, they may be held liable.

• Inadequate Lighting. Poor lighting inside building and parking lots is another common cause of slip and fall accidents. If you can’t see where you’re going, you are more likely to slip and fall. To prevent these accidents, building owners need to make sure there is adequate lighting in their hallways, staircases and parking lots at all times.

• Wet Floors. Wet floors are to blame for a large percentage of slip and fall accidents. Whether it’s caused by a milk spill in a grocery store or grease spill in a factory, wet floors are very hazardous. It’s every builder owner/manager’s responsibility to make sure the liquid spills are cleaned up immediately. Freshly mopped surfaces can also increase the risk of slip and fall accidents. Putting up warning signs may reduce these accidents.

• Broken Handrails. Some people need to use handrails as they walk up and down staircases to keep their balance. If the handrails are broken, more people may suffer slip and fall accidents.

• Nursing Home Neglect. Many slip and fall accidents occur in nursing homes. Some residents have poor balance and other health conditions that can increase the risk of falls. It’s critical for nursing home staff members to watch residents more closely to prevent these types of accidents.

• Clutter. The more objects there are in a person’s pathway, the more likely a slip and fall accident will occur. For example, if there are loose electrical cords or boxes in a work area, employees are more likely to trip and fall over these objects. It’s important to keep areas free of clutter at all times.

Washington DC Slip and Fall Infographic

Washington DC Slip And Fall Statistics

According to the National Floor Safety Institute, in the United States, there are an estimated 2.3 million slip and fall accidents each year. This means that every day, over 6,000 people are injured in slip and fall accidents. Slip and fall accidents can happen anywhere, but they are most common in public places, such as grocery stores, malls, and parking lots.

According to a National Survey on Bicyclist and Pedestrian Attitudes and Behaviors, approximately 24% of pedestrian injuries were due to tripping on uneven or cracked sidewalks, and an additional 17% fell or were injured due to other factors. When the owner or manager of a property was aware of potential hazards, but failed to correct them in a timely manner, a premise liability lawsuit could be filed against them in the event of an injury.

 

Slip and Fall Accident FAQs

How Are Slip And Falls Dangerous?

Slip and falls happen all the time. You bump your head on a cabinet, or slip on a puddle of something in the break room. They’re minor accidents that cause minor injuries – at least that’s what they look like on the surface. Without a medical professional’s input, there’s no telling how bad a slip and fall injury can get, and it’s important to report an incident when it happens so you can get it looked at in a timely fashion.

Why Should I Report My Fall?

Nobody wants to be the office klutz. Someone who slipped and fell into the koi pond in the lobby isn’t going to want to talk about it. Sometimes a person who experienced a slip and fall just wants to move past their little accident, whether through pride or embarrassment. And in some toxic environments, managers may intimidate their employees from reporting their injuries – big or small. Unfortunately, this underreporting can lead to serious consequences later on.

I Fell At Work. Should I Report It To My Employer?

Yes. Without proper reporting (and proper medical attention) you may be setting yourself up for some serious medical bills in the future. And if you experienced a slip and fall in the workplace without telling anyone, you may have to pay those medical bills out of your own pocket. Of course, you’d expect insurance to cover the costs, but worker’s comp will be out of the question if you don’t report your injuries at all.

Do I Need An Attorney?

If you experienced a slip and fall, you shouldn’t handle it alone. It’s easy to blame your own clumsiness when you suffer a minor injury, whether at the office or anywhere else. But you should always ask yourself and important question: Could my injury have been avoided if someone else had been more careful?

At the root of every slip and fall case is another party’s negligence. It could have been the building manager’s fault those stairs weren’t properly spaced, or it could have been your employer’s fault that that spill in the break room wasn’t cleaned up or properly marked. Whatever the specifics, you need to understand that you’re not to blame, and our DC slip and fall lawyer can help you work to prove it. Reach out to us today to discuss your options.

Washington DC Slip And Fall Glossary

At the Law Firm of Frederick J. Brynn, P.C., our Washington DC slip and fall lawyer works with clients to seek fair compensation for injuries caused by unsafe property conditions. With over 75 years of combined experience, our firm is dedicated to helping individuals recover after slip and fall incidents. Below, we’ve outlined key terms and legal concepts relevant to these cases.

Premises Liability

Premises liability refers to the legal responsibility of property owners or managers to maintain a safe environment for visitors and occupants. If a property owner fails to address hazards—such as wet floors, uneven walkways, or broken handrails—they may be held accountable for injuries sustained on their property.

For example, a grocery store owner who fails to clean up a spilled liquid promptly could be held liable if a customer slips and suffers a serious back injury. Our firm’s attorneys have extensive experience proving premises liability in slip and fall cases.

Constructive Knowledge

Constructive knowledge occurs when a property owner should have reasonably known about a hazardous condition on their premises. Even if the owner or manager claims they were unaware of the issue, the law may consider whether they had enough time to notice and fix the problem.

For example, if a spilled drink is left unattended in a store aisle for hours, the owner could be deemed to have constructive knowledge of the danger. Our attorneys carefully investigate timelines, surveillance footage, and employee reports to establish this key element in your case.

Comparative Fault In Slip And Fall Cases

Washington, DC operates under pure contributory negligence rules, meaning if an injured party is found even 1% at fault for their accident, they may be barred from recovering compensation. This strict standard makes it essential to demonstrate that the property owner was entirely responsible for the hazardous condition.

For instance, if a customer slips on a wet floor without a warning sign but was distracted by their phone, the defense might argue contributory fault. Our attorneys work diligently to counter these arguments and protect your rights after an injury.

Hazardous Conditions

Hazardous conditions encompass the various unsafe situations that can lead to slip and fall injuries. Examples include:

• Wet floors with no warning signs.
• Uneven or cracked sidewalks.
• Poorly lit stairwells or hallways.
• Snow or ice left uncleared on walkways.

Identifying and documenting hazardous conditions is essential in slip and fall claims. Photos, witness statements, and inspection records are often used to show how the property owner’s failure to address these risks caused your injuries.

Loss Of Earning Capacity

Loss of earning capacity refers to the reduction in an injured person’s ability to earn income in the future due to their accident-related injuries. Unlike lost wages, which cover income missed during recovery, this concept focuses on long-term impacts on career prospects.

For example, if a warehouse worker sustains a back injury from a fall and can no longer perform physically demanding tasks, they may be entitled to compensation for their reduced earning potential. Our attorneys work with vocational experts to calculate these losses accurately and build a strong case for fair recovery.

The Law Firm of Frederick J. Brynn, P.C., Washington, DC Slip And Fall Lawyer

922 Pennsylvania Avenue SE, Suite 100, Washington, DC 20003

Contact Our Firm Today

When you’re involved in a slip and fall, time is of the essence. If you have a potential personal injury lawsuit, our lawyer may need to carry out an investigation of the accident, identify and speak to possible witnesses, and document evidence. You have rights under Washington D.C. personal injury laws. Contact the Law Firm of Frederick J. Brynn, P.C. today to protect yourself and secure the compensation you deserve. Call or message our firm to request your free case consultation.

Client Review

“Mr Brynn did a good job but i was told my case would stay open because a bill was paid out of my settlement that shouldnt have been paid. But he did such a good job that once again I’m using his services”
Sharon Douglas