A "slip and fall" or "trip and fall" is the generic term for an injury which occurs when someone slips, trips or falls as a result of a dangerous or hazardous condition on someone else's property. It includes falls as a result of water, ice or snow, as well as abrupt changes in flooring, poor lighting, or a hidden hazard, such as a gap or hard to see hole in the ground. The National Center for Injury Prevention and Control estimates that in 2004, more than 8 million people were injured in falls.

If you are on someone else's property and injure yourself as a result of a dangerous condition on the property, the landowner or business proprietor may be liable for your injuries. If you are a property owner and someone injures himself on your land, you may find yourself legally responsible for his or her injuries. Either way, you should seek the advice of an experienced personal injury lawyer right away.

The value of a case is as much determined by the area in which the case is filed as it is by the injuries involved. Urban settlements are typically greater than those in rural areas, where the cost of living is lower. The same kind of case that may end in a $20,000 settlement in Knoxville, Tennessee court may result in a $100,000 award in Dallas.

The value of a slip and fall depends on the facts, the location, the insurance coverage, the wealth of the defendant, the severity of the injury, the strength of the case, and the assets and insurance of anyone else in any way at least partially responsible – plus the skill of the lawyer involved. There is also the subjective element involved: the sympathy of the jury, the appearance of the injured, juror perceptions, makeup of the jury, and so forth.

Putting a dollars and cents amount on your injury can be extremely difficult because of the subjective factors. Damages are intended to compensate you for the injury you have suffered. Consequently, there is no set formula.

The Law Offices of Michael Handy offers a no-obligation review of your claim to determine if a case may exist. If we believe a case may exist, we can help you understand the value of your case and how best to proceed. Call us at 1-817-336-4700 or submit your case to us online.