Montana Slip and Fall Law Firm

Montana Slip and Fall Lawyer

Slip and Fall Injuries Can Cause Serious Harm

You were walking through a grocery store when you slipped on a wet floor. Or you fell on icy pavement outside a building. Or you stepped into an unmarked hole on a property. In seconds, you’re on the ground. Your head, back, or hip hits hard. You’re hurt. You’re embarrassed. You get up and try to continue your day.

But days pass, and the pain gets worse. You realize you have a serious injury. A broken bone. A head injury. Spinal damage. What seemed like a minor fall has changed your life.

Slip and fall injuries are common, but they’re not always minor. Falls can cause broken bones, head injuries, spinal damage, and long-term complications. When someone else’s negligence caused your fall, you have legal rights.

At Western Justice Associates, we fight for slip-and-fall victims throughout Montana. We know how to prove property owners’ negligence and secure fair compensation for your injuries.

Common Causes of Slip and Fall Accidents

Wet or slippery floors: Water, ice, spills, or inadequate cleaning create hazardous conditions.
Uneven surfaces: Cracked pavement, uneven floors, or damaged stairs cause falls.
Poor lighting: Inadequate lighting prevents people from seeing hazards.
Obstacles in walkways: Items left in pathways or hidden hazards cause trips and falls.
Worn or damaged stairs: Missing handrails or deteriorated steps cause serious falls.
Icy walkways: Property owners have a duty to clear ice and snow or warn of hazards.
Inadequate maintenance: Properties that aren’t properly maintained create dangerous conditions.
Lack of warning signs: Hazardous conditions without proper warnings violate safety standards.

Common Slip and Fall Injuries

Broken bones: Wrists, hips, and ankles fracture commonly in falls.
Head injuries: Falls can cause concussions or more severe brain injuries.
Back and spinal injuries: Falls can damage the spine, causing chronic pain or paralysis.
Shoulder injuries: Broken shoulders or rotator cuff tears can occur when people catch themselves as they fall.
Knee injuries: Meniscal tears or other knee damage happen frequently.
Lacerations and contusions: Cuts and bruising are common.
Soft tissue injuries: Sprains and strains cause pain and limited mobility.

Why Property Owners Are Legally Responsible

Under Montana premises liability law, property owners and managers have a duty to maintain safe conditions. This duty includes:

Regularly inspecting the property for hazards
Repairing dangerous conditions or removing hazardous items
Warning visitors of known dangers that can’t be immediately fixed
Cleaning up spills and debris promptly
Maintaining adequate lighting
Properly maintaining stairs, handrails, and walkways
Clearing ice and snow in a timely manner

When property owners fail these duties, and someone is injured, they can be held liable for damages.

Compensation Available for Slip and Fall Injuries

Slip and fall cases result in compensation for:

Medical expenses: Emergency care, doctor visits, imaging, surgery, hospitalization, physical therapy, medications.
Future medical care: If ongoing treatment is needed, these costs are included.
Lost wages: Income missed while recovering from injuries.
Lost earning capacity: If the injury prevents return to work or limits earning potential.
Pain and suffering: Compensation for physical pain and emotional distress.
Permanent impairment: If the injury causes lasting disability or limitation.
Loss of enjoyment of life: Activities you can no longer enjoy.

The value depends on the severity of the injury, medical costs, lost income, and the victim’s age.

Why Property Owners and Insurers Fight Slip and Fall Claims

Insurance companies defending property owners use common tactics:

“You were careless and didn’t watch where you were going.”
“The condition was obvious, and you should have avoided it.”
“You have a pre-existing condition that caused the fall.”
“You didn’t report the incident immediately.”

An experienced attorney counters these arguments with evidence proving the property owner’s negligence caused your fall.

Steps to Take After a Slip and Fall

Report the incident: Tell the property manager or owner immediately. Request a written incident report. Ask the owner to preserve evidence.
Document the scene: Take photos of the hazardous condition, the location, the lighting, and any warning signs (or lack thereof).
Get witness information: Ask for contact information from anyone who saw the fall.
Seek medical attention: Get examined even if injuries seem minor. Document all treatment.
Keep records: Save all medical bills, receipts, and documentation of lost work time.
Don’t sign documents: Don’t sign releases or settlement offers without consulting an attorney.
Contact an attorney: The sooner you get legal representation, the better your case.

Montana's Statute of Limitations

Under Montana Code Annotated Section 27-2-204, you have three years from the date of your fall to file a lawsuit and some circumstances may shorten the time period. Do not wait. Evidence disappears, and witnesses forget details.