This page was written, edited, reviewed & approved by JR Krebs following our comprehensive editorial guidelines. JR Krebs, the Founding Partner, has years of legal experience as a bankruptcy attorney. Our last modified date shows when this page was last reviewed.
Slip and fall accidents happen often in Huntsville stores, restaurants, and public places. These accidents can cause serious injuries like broken bones, head trauma, or back injuries. Medical bills and lost wages can add up fast when you're hurt.
Alabama has strict contributory negligence laws that can make getting compensation difficult. If you are found even 1% at fault for your fall, you might not be able to recover any money for your injuries. A skilled law firm knows how to build a strong case that protects your right to compensation.
At Krebs Personal Injury Lawyers, we help people who have been hurt in slip and fall accidents. We explain your legal options in simple terms and work to get you the money you deserve for your injuries.
A slip and fall case happens when someone is injured after slipping or tripping on another person's property. These cases fall under premises liability law in Alabama, which means property owners must keep their property safe for visitors. Property owners who fail to fix dangerous conditions like wet floors, broken steps, or poor lighting may be responsible for injuries.
The property owner's duty changes based on why you were on their property. Store owners owe the highest duty to customers, while homeowners owe less duty to trespassers. Alabama's contributory negligence rule makes these cases tricky because if you were even slightly careless, you might not get any money for your injuries.
Many hazards can cause people to fall and get hurt on someone else's property in Huntsville. Here are the most common dangers that a Huntsville slip and fall attorney sees in cases:
Wet or Slippery Floors: Spilled liquids, recent mopping, or waxed surfaces create dangerous walking conditions. These hazards are especially common in grocery stores, restaurants, and public buildings where many people walk each day.
Uneven Walking Surfaces: Cracked sidewalks, potholes, and unexpected steps can catch anyone off guard. These problems are common in older shopping centers and apartment complexes throughout Huntsville.
Poor Lighting: Dark stairwells, parking lots, and walkways hide dangers that would be easy to see in good light. Many falls happen at night when property owners fail to replace burnt-out bulbs or install proper lighting.
Loose Handrails or Guardrails: Wobbly or broken handrails give way when people rely on them for support. Many injuries happen on stairs when a person grabs a loose rail and it fails to support them.
Weather-Related Conditions: Ice, snow, and rain create slippery conditions that property owners must address. Many Huntsville businesses fail to clear ice or put out warning signs during winter weather.
Cluttered Walkways: Items left in aisles, hallways, or walking paths create tripping hazards. Stores with merchandise in aisles and construction sites with tools on the ground are common places for these accidents.
Improper Flooring Materials: Using indoor tiles in outdoor spaces or smooth surfaces in wet areas increases fall risks. Some property owners choose pretty floors over safe ones, putting visitors at risk.
Taking these five simple steps after a slip and fall can protect your health and legal rights.
Tell a manager, owner, or person in charge about your fall right away. Ask them to make a written report and get a copy for your records. This creates an official record showing when and where your accident happened.
Go to a doctor even if you feel fine - some injuries don't hurt until days later. A doctor can find hidden problems like small fractures or internal injuries. Medical records connect your injuries to the fall and serve as important evidence.
Take pictures of what caused your fall and the surrounding area with your phone. Get names and phone numbers of people who saw what happened. These photos and witness accounts help show the dangerous condition existed when you fell.
Be careful about saying "I'm sorry" or "I wasn't looking where I was going" after falling. In Alabama, saying you were even 1% at fault can prevent you from getting any money for your injuries. Simply report the facts without accepting blame.
Talk to a lawyer who handles slip and fall cases in Huntsville as soon as possible. Krebs Personal Injury Lawyers offers free consultations to discuss your case without any upfront cost. A lawyer can help gather evidence before it disappears and handle talks with insurance companies.
Alabama law divides visitors into three groups: invitees, licensees, and trespassers. Invitees, like customers in stores, receive the highest protection, and property owners must actively look for and fix dangers. Licensees, such as social guests, get less protection, while trespassers receive the least protection, mainly just from intentional harm. The law expects different levels of care based on why you were on someone's property.
Property owners are responsible only for dangers they knew about or should have known about, which is called "notice." Alabama follows a strict rule called contributory negligence that can stop you from getting any money if you were even 1% at fault for your fall. This makes slip and fall cases harder to win in Alabama than in most other states, and explains why having good evidence is so important.
When you win a slip and fall case in Huntsville, you may get money for different types of losses.
Medical Bills: These cover doctor visits, hospital stays, and treatments for your injuries. This includes emergency room care, follow-up visits, physical therapy, and any future medical care you might need.
Lost Wages: This pays you back for time missed from work while recovering. If your injuries stop you from going back to your job or working as much as before, you can also ask for money for lost earning ability.
Property Damage: This covers items that broke during your fall, like phones, glasses, or watches. It also includes costs to replace or repair torn clothing or damaged personal items.
Home Modifications: Some falls cause injuries that require changes to your home, like wheelchair ramps or bathroom grab bars. The money for these changes can be part of your case.
Transportation Costs: Getting to medical appointments costs money, especially if you need special transportation. These travel expenses can be included in your claim.
Non-Economic Damages
Pain and Suffering: This covers the physical pain and discomfort from your injuries. The worse your injuries and the longer they last, the more you might receive for your suffering.
Emotional Distress: Falls can cause fear, anxiety, or depression that affects your daily life. You can get compensation for these mental and emotional effects of your accident.
Loss of Enjoyment: When injuries stop you from doing activities you love, like sports or hobbies, this is a real loss. This type of damage recognizes the impact on your quality of life when you can't do things you enjoyed before.
Disfigurement: Scars or permanent changes to your appearance from a fall can affect how you feel about yourself. These visible reminders of your accident deserve compensation beyond just the medical costs.
Loss of Consortium: This covers damage to your relationship with your spouse or family. When injuries change your ability to provide companionship or support to loved ones, this loss can be part of your claim.
Our team starts by visiting the accident location to take photos, measure hazards, and talk to witnesses while evidence is still fresh. We look for important details that others might miss, like improper flooring materials or maintenance records showing the property owner knew about the danger. Our familiarity with Huntsville businesses, apartment complexes, and public spaces helps us understand if proper safety standards were followed.
We handle all talks with insurance companies so you can focus on getting better. Insurance adjusters often try to use Alabama's strict contributory negligence rule against you, but we know how to protect your rights during these conversations. If a fair settlement can't be reached, we prepare your case for court with medical experts who can explain your injuries and safety experts who can testify about dangerous conditions.
Here are answers to common questions people ask about slip and fall cases in Huntsville.
The main difficulty comes from having to prove the property owner knew about the dangerous condition or should have known about it. Courts also require clear evidence showing how long the hazard existed before your fall.
Alabama follows a strict rule called "pure contributory negligence" that can affect your case. If you are found even 1% at fault - perhaps by texting while walking or wearing inappropriate footwear - you might not receive any compensation at all. This makes it very important to have all the facts of your case carefully examined.
Most Huntsville slip and fall lawyers work on a contingency fee basis, which means you pay nothing unless they win money for you. The attorney receives a percentage of your settlement or court award, typically between 33-40%. Initial consultations are usually free, allowing you to discuss your case without financial risk.
Alabama law gives you two years from the date of your accident to file a lawsuit. This time limit, called the statute of limitations, is strict. If you miss this deadline, the court will likely dismiss your case regardless of how serious your injuries are or how clear the property owner's fault might be.
Strong evidence makes a big difference in slip and fall claims. Photos of the hazard before it's cleaned up or fixed are extremely valuable. Incident reports filed with the business, witness statements from people who saw you fall, and video footage from security cameras can all strengthen your case. Medical records that connect your injuries directly to the fall are also important.
The timeline for slip and fall cases varies based on several factors. The time it takes to resolve a slip and fall case can vary widely depending on the complexity of the situation and other factors such as negotiations or court involvement. Cases that go to trial generally take more time than those that settle. Your recovery time, the insurance company's willingness to negotiate, and court schedules all affect how long your case will take.
You can talk to our lawyers at Krebs Personal Injury Lawyers about your slip and fall accident by calling for a free consultation. Alabama law gives you just two years from your accident date to file a legal claim, and this time can pass quickly while you're dealing with injuries. Our team can look at the details of your case and explain your options in simple terms during a private meeting.
J.R. is dedicated to providing personalized representation, avoiding a one-size-fits-all approach. He tailors his strategy to the unique challenges and needs of each client and case, ensuring focused and individualized attention.
His practice mainly covers Plaintiff’s Personal Injury, including car and 18-wheeler accidents, slips and falls, dog bites, defective products, and wrongful death. He also handles commercial disputes on contingency, with experience in contracts, construction, and probate. For any dispute headed toward litigation, J.R. develops an aggressive strategy to maximize your recovery through negotiation, arbitration, or trial.
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