Slip and fall accidents are more than just minor mishaps; they can lead to serious injuries and high medical bills. These types of accidents often happen in public places in Baton Rouge, like stores, offices, or sidewalks. If you’ve been hurt in a slip and fall accident, you may have the right to seek compensation.

In Baton Rouge, Louisiana, the busy shopping centers, restaurants, and changing weather conditions can create risky situations for falls. Business owners and landlords must keep their properties safe for visitors. If they fail to do this, they could be held responsible.

A good Baton Rouge slip and fall injury attorney can guide you through your legal rights and help you gather the proof you need to make a strong case.

4 Elements to Prove a Slip and Fall Accident Case

According to the National Floor Safety Institute (NFSI), more than 1 million emergency room visits in the U.S. every year are due to slip and fall accidents. This shows just how common and serious these accidents can be. If the fall was caused by a property owner’s carelessness, you may be able to file a personal injury claim. To win your case, you must prove four key elements: 

  • Duty of care
  • Breach of duty
  • Causation
  • Damages

Duty of Care

You must first show that the property owner owed you a duty of care. This means they had a legal responsibility to keep the area safe. If you were legally on the property, such as a customer in a store or a guest at someone’s home, the owner had a duty to make sure you wouldn’t get hurt because of unsafe conditions. This duty includes actions like cleaning spills, fixing broken steps, or putting up warning signs. If you were trespassing, however, this duty may not apply.

Breach of Duty

Once the duty of care is established, the next step is to prove the property owner failed to meet it. A breach happens when the owner doesn’t fix or warn about a danger they knew, or should have known about.

Examples include:

  • Not mopping up a spilled drink in a store
  • Leaving broken flooring in a hallway
  • Not using caution signs on wet floors

Taking photos of the scene or talking to witnesses can help prove this point.

Causation

You must also show that the unsafe condition directly caused your fall and injury. Just proving the property was dangerous isn’t enough; you need to connect it to your accident. For example, if you slipped on a wet floor with no warning signs, your medical report and any video footage can support your claim.

Damages

Finally, you need to prove that the fall caused real harm. Damages show how the injury has affected your daily life. You may no longer be able to work, enjoy activities, or perform simple tasks without pain. Emotional distress, anxiety, and long recovery times are also factors to consider. Keep all your receipts, doctor’s notes, and other proof to back up your case.

Conclusion

Winning a slip and fall case requires clear proof of four things: duty of care, breach of duty, causation, and damages. If you’re in Baton Rouge and you’ve been injured in a fall, a skilled slip and fall injury attorney can help you understand your options and fight for fair compensation.