Slip-and-fall accidents are among the most common personal injury cases in Texas, often resulting in severe injuries that can have a lasting impact on a victim's life. These accidents occur when a person slips, trips, or falls on someone else's property due to hazardous conditions, such as wet floors, uneven surfaces, poorly maintained walkways, or inadequate lighting.

Navigating a slip-and-fall accident claim in Texas can be a complex and challenging process. To ensure you receive fair compensation, it is crucial to have an experienced attorney by your side. With a strong commitment to justice, our team at the Law Offices Of Vic Feazell, P.C. is dedicated to helping victims of slip-and-fall accidents obtain the compensation they deserve.

Call (254) 938-6885 or contact us online today to request a free case evaluation.

What is a Slip & Fall Accident?

A slip-and-fall accident, also known as a trip-and-fall accident, is a type of personal injury incident that occurs when a person loses their balance and falls due to hazardous conditions on someone else's property. These accidents typically happen in public places or private properties where the owner or occupier of the premises has a legal duty to maintain a safe environment for visitors. Slip-and-fall accidents can result in injuries ranging from minor bruises to severe fractures, head injuries, or even fatalities.

Common causes of slip-and-fall accidents include:

Slip-and-fall accidents can occur in various settings and can have numerous causes. These accidents often result from a combination of factors, and some common causes include:

• Wet or Slippery Surfaces:
  • Spills of liquids, oils, or other substances on floors.
  • Rainwater or melted snow tracked indoors, making floors wet.
  • Recently mopped or waxed floors.
• Uneven Surfaces:
  • Uneven or cracked sidewalks, parking lots, or pathways.
  • Damaged or uneven flooring materials.
  • Uneven stairs or steps.
• Poor Lighting:
  • Inadequate lighting in stairwells, hallways, or parking lots.
  • Burned-out or malfunctioning light bulbs.
  • Dimly lit areas where hazards are not easily visible.
• Loose or Slippery Floor Coverings:
  • Loose carpets or rugs.
  • Slippery floor mats.
  • Tiles that have become loose or are poorly secured.
• Weather Conditions:
  • Ice or snow accumulation on walkways.
  • Wet leaves or debris on outdoor surfaces.
  • Rainwater puddles or standing water.
• Inadequate Signage and Warning:
  • Lack of warning signs for wet floors or other hazards.
  • Insufficient marking of steps or changes in elevation.
  • Absence of caution signs in construction zones.
• Poorly Maintained Facilities:
  • Neglected maintenance leading to deteriorating surfaces.
  • Neglected repairs to damaged flooring or walkways.
  • Overgrown vegetation obstructing pathways.

How to Prove a Slip & Fall Accident Claim in Texas

In Texas, like in many other jurisdictions, to prove liability in a slip-and-fall accident case, the injured party (the plaintiff) typically needs to establish certain elements of negligence on the part of the property owner or occupier (the defendant).

The following are the elements the injured party must prove to succeed in a slip-and-fall accident claim in Texas:

1. Duty of Care: The plaintiff must demonstrate that the property owner or occupier owed them a duty of care. In Texas, the duty of care owed to a person on the property depends on their legal status, which can be categorized as an invitee, licensee, or trespasser. The highest duty of care is owed to invitees, such as customers and business guests, who are on the property for the benefit of the property owner.
2. Breach of Duty: The plaintiff must show that the property owner or occupier breached their duty of care. This typically involves proving that the property owner knew or should have known about a dangerous condition on the property but failed to take reasonable steps to address it.
3. Causation: The plaintiff must establish a direct link between the breach of duty and their injuries. They need to demonstrate that the dangerous condition or the property owner's negligence was the proximate cause of the slip-and-fall accident.
4. Notice: In many cases, the plaintiff must also prove that the property owner had notice of the hazardous condition. There are two types of notice:
   1. Actual notice: The property owner knew about the dangerous condition.
   2. Constructive notice: The dangerous condition existed for a sufficient amount of time that the property owner should have known about it through reasonable inspection and maintenance practices.
5. Damages: Finally, the plaintiff must provide evidence of actual damages suffered as a result of the slip-and-fall accident. This can include medical bills, lost wages, pain and suffering, and other economic and non-economic losses.

Let Our Firm Help You Today

In Texas, property owners and occupiers have a legal duty to maintain their premises in a reasonably safe condition for visitors. When they fail to do so and someone is injured as a result, they may be held liable for the victim's injuries and related damages. The Law Offices of Vic Feazell, P.C. is here to help you navigate the complex legal process, fight for your rights, and secure the compensation you need to move forward with your life.

If you or a loved one has been injured in a slip-and-fall accident in Killeen, contact us today at (254) 938-6885 for a free consultation.