Lafayette Slip-And-Fall Attorney: Fair Compensation Matters
A slip-and-fall accident injury in Indiana may affect your life entirely. When a property owner’s failure to maintain safe premises leads to your injuries, a Lafayette slip-and-fall attorney can help fight for your justice.
At Cooke Law Firm, our lawyers have been representing victims of slip-and-fall accidents in Lafayette, Indiana, for over 50 years. We bring over 80 years of combined experience in personal injury law. Also, our dedication has earned us an AV Preeminent* peer-review rating for preeminent legal ability and high ethical standards through Martindale-Hubbell.
Common Causes Of Slip-And-Fall Accidents In Indiana
Many Tippecanoe County slip-and-fall accidents occur due to:
- Ice and snow: During winter, property owners must remove accumulated ice or snow
- Heavy rains: Rainwater creates slippery surfaces. The property owner must promptly put up warning signs
- Damaged sidewalks: Cracked pavement creates serious tripping hazards
- Uneven floors: Loose carpeting or warped surfaces can cause one to lose balance
- Slippery floors: Spilled liquids can make the floors slippery
- Inadequate lighting: Poor lighting in stairwells and entrances
- Broken handrails: Broken handrails increase the risk of severe falls
Our lawyer can thoroughly investigate and work to identify every liable party.
How Indiana Law Handles Slip-And-Fall Accident Cases
Indiana follows a modified comparative fault system under Indiana Code § 34-51-2-5. The rule states you may recover damages only if you are 50% or less responsible for the accident. Indiana law also imposes a strict deadline for filing slip-and-fall accident claims of two years from the date of the accident. Claims involving government entities may require formal notice within as little as 180 days.
To establish liability, your lawyer must prove the property owner had actual knowledge (directly aware of the hazard) or constructive knowledge (must have discovered the dangerous condition existed). The property owner also has the highest duty of care for invitees, such as customers and licensees, including social guests. However, trespassers are generally owed limited protection.
Our lawyer can review your case and help fight for your full compensation for medical expenses, lost wages and other damages.
Frequently Asked Questions About Slip-And-Falls
Trying to recover from your slip-and-fall injury while also navigating your claim can feel overwhelming on your own. To help lift some of the burden off your shoulders, our legal team has addressed a few common questions about slip-and-fall accidents in Indiana.
How quickly should I report my slip-and-fall accident at a commercial business?
If you sustained injuries from your slip-and-fall accident at a Indiana local business, such as a grocery store or a restaurant, you should report the incident to a manager immediately and insist they create a formal incident report before you leave their premises. Because commercial entities often clean up hazards or erase security camera footage within days or even hours, you must act promptly and document your accident. This measure can not only protect your rights but also help preserve evidence for your slip-and-fall claim in Indiana.
How does the “open and obvious” defense work in Indiana courts?
Property owners often try to avoid liability by claiming a hazard (like a large pothole or a bright yellow puddle) was “open and obvious,” arguing that any reasonable person should have clearly noticed and avoided it. However, in Indiana, a property owner may still be held liable even if a danger is visibly obvious, if they should have anticipated that such hazards would distract a visitor.
Who is liable if I slip on an icy public sidewalk in front of a Lafayette home?
Lafayette city ordinances require property owners or occupants to clear adjacent public sidewalks within 12 hours after daylight and after snowfall ending. If a homeowner or business establishment neglects this safety measure or improperly pushes snow back into the street, the city can cite them. More importantly, this negligence can make them civilly liable for your injuries, especially if their failure to uphold the local ordinance directly caused your slipping accident.
Contact Us To Get Started Today
At Cooke Law Firm, our Lafayette slip-and-fall attorney will represent you on a contingency fee basis. This means you do not pay us unless we win. Call 765-340-2776 or reach out online to schedule your free initial consultation.
*AV®, AV Preeminent®, Martindale-Hubbell Distinguished and Martindale-Hubbell Notable are certification marks used under license in accordance with the Martindale-Hubbell certification procedures, standards and policies. Martindale-Hubbell® is the facilitator of a peer-review rating process. Ratings reflect the anonymous opinions of members of the bar and the judiciary. Martindale-Hubbell® Peer Review Ratings™ fall into two categories – legal ability and general ethical standards.