Slip and Fall Accident Lawyers in Bristol Protect Injured Clients

Attorneys handling all types of premises liability in the Tri-Cities & Southwest Virginia area

If you have slipped, tripped or fallen on someone else’s property, you may be entitled to compensation for your injuries. Massengill, Caldwell & Coughlin, P.C. has served injury victims of the Tri-Cities of Bristol, Kingsport and Johnson City, Tennessee since 1909. Our knowledgeable and dedicated personal injury attorneys explain your legal options and fight aggressively to protect your rights.

Slip and fall accidents are common

Slips, trips and falls occur in a variety of places, including shopping centers, offices, restaurants, concerts, sporting events, parking garages, construction sites and private homes. The accidents are often caused by dangerous or hidden conditions, including:

  • Slippery or oily substances on floors
  • Raised or worn carpeting
  • Holes or depressions in floors
  • Poor or broken lighting
  • Defective escalators or elevators
  • Uneven stairs
  • Broken pavement

More than 20,000 people in Tennessee are hurt in slip and fall accidents each year. Injuries can include bruises, contusions, knee injuries, concussions, paralysis, fractures, spinal cord injuries and brain injuries.

Proving negligence in a Bristol premises liability case

Premises liability refers to a property owner’s legal responsibility for injuries occurring on the property. To prove liability in a slip and fall case, you must demonstrate one of the following:

  • The property owner created the dangerous condition that caused the injury
  • The property owner knew about the dangerous condition and failed to repair it within a reasonable time
  • The dangerous condition existed on the property for so long that the property owner should have discovered it and repaired it prior to the slip and fall accident

In addition to the complex legal issues involved, evidence can disappear quickly in a premises liability situation. You must act quickly to protect your rights. At Massengill, Caldwell & Coughlin, P.C., we start documenting and investigating your claim from day one.

Comparative fault under Tennessee law

Many slip and fall cases focus on the conduct of both the property owner and the injury victim. While the property owner has a duty to maintain the premises in a safe condition, visitors are also obligated to take reasonable care for their own well-being.

In many injury cases, the defendant will argue that the injured party’s own negligence is at least partly responsible for their injuries. Under Tennessee’s modified comparative fault law, the judge or jury must allocate fault among all the parties involved. If the injury victim’s negligence equals or exceeds the negligence of the defendant, the injured party is not entitled to recover any damages.

Obtaining compensation after a slip, trip or fall

Most property owners have insurance to cover slip and fall accidents. However, it is generally not advisable to deal with their insurance companies on your own. Adjusters will often undervalue your claim and pressure you to sign a release. Therefore, you should always consult a Bristol personal injury attorney experienced in this practice area. In many cases, you are entitled to compensation for your medical expenses, lost current and future wages, pain and suffering, future medical care and other expenses.

Seek advice from trusted Bristol injury attorneys

If you slipped, tripped or fell on someone else’s property, you may be entitled to financial compensation for your injuries. Massengill, Caldwell & Coughlin, P.C. has more than 75 years of combined legal experience protecting the rights of injury victims in the Tri-Cities and Southwest Virginia. For a free initial consultation, call us today at 423-797-6022 or contact us online. Our office is conveniently located in Bristol, and we offer hospital or home visits to accident victims and their families.