Mankato Slip and Fall Attorney

Recent reports indicate that slip and fall incidents are one of the most common causes of injuries in Minnesota. Throughout the United States, millions of patients are admitted to hospitals each year due to injuries from slip and fall accidents. These dangerous incidents can occur anywhere, from an icy driveway to a crack in the sidewalk. 

When a slip and fall accident happens outside of the home, the victim may be entitled to compensation if they were injured on another individual’s property if the property owner did not exhibit a duty of care. Cases of slip and fall accident liability extend to businesses, as well. If someone was recently injured on your property, or if you were hurt after a slip and fall accident in Mankato, the team at Knutson + Casey can help you build a strong case.

What is a Slip and Fall Accident?

The term “slip and fall” refers to a personal injury case where an individual trips or falls, and injures themselves on another person’s property. These incidents typically occur on premises owned by someone other than the victim, which means that the property owner may be held liable for the victim’s damage if there were no warning signs of potentially harmful walking conditions. The most common causes of these accidents include:

• Environmental/weather conditions such as ice and snow
• Ice buildup from drainage pipes and roofs
• Uneven floors
• Wet floors
• Waxed floors
• Poor stairs and lack of proper handrails
• Torn carpeting
• Loose floorboards

Victims of slip and fall accidents have a responsibility to prove that the property owner was negligent in their duty to instruct visitors or guests on potential risks, such as wet or recently waxed floors. They must also be able to prove that the slip and fall accident is responsible for their injuries and that they did not exist prior to the incident.  A victim may also have to show the property owner had knowledge of the poor condition, or reason to know it existed, and that the owner had time to remedy the problem once it was known.  

Mankato Slip and Fall Accident Liability

Private property owners have a legal responsibility to maintain a duty of care to lawful visitors. This means that they must uphold a safe environment on their property at all times, without any known hazards. If there are any potential dangers, signs or visual markers must be used to ensure that guests are able to avoid the area. Certain property owners such as hotels and retail businesses invite people to their businesses, and their customers have a right to a safe entrance and exit.

When victims of slip and fall accidents pursue cases of liability against Mankato property owners, they must provide proof that the property owner did not warn visitors of the hazard which caused the incident. If an individual fell on your property and they are filing a claim against you for failure to uphold your duty of care, you may be required to provide proof that signs were clearly displayed or that you were unaware of the hazard. 

The attorneys at Knuston + Casey can help you gather important evidence for your defense, including photographs of the scene, police reports, and more. Our experienced team of Mankato slip and fall attorneys is prepared to help you defend your rights in court and ensure that you receive the legal representation you deserve.

Negligence in Mankato Slip and Fall Accidents

Most slip and fall cases in Mankato, Minnesota fall under premises liability laws, meaning that injured plaintiffs are responsible for proving that the property owner was negligent in their care and maintenance of the property where the accident took place. They must also demonstrate that this lack of care led to an unsafe condition which then resulted in the plaintiff’s injuries.

During cases of Mankato premises liability, the plaintiff and their attorney must prove the defendant’s negligence by establishing four essential elements of the slip and fall case to the court, including:

• The defendant owed the plaintiff a duty of care. For example, business owners must ensure their facilities and grounds pose no risks to lawful visitors, customers, or guests.
• The defendant breached their duty of care. This can include a business owner failing to warn customers of slippery surfaces or potentially hazardous walking conditions.
• The defendant’s breach was the proximate cause of the plaintiff’s injuries. In cases of slip and fall accidents, plaintiffs may only seek compensation for the direct results of a defendant’s negligence, such as broken bones or torn ligaments from the slip and fall.
• The plaintiff suffered actual damages. Plaintiffs in Mankato cannot sue if they suffered no measurable injuries or experienced other losses, such as property damage.

If you are looking for a trusted Minnesota slip and fall attorney to handle your case, the team at Knutson + Casey can help you build a strong defense and ensure that your rights are protected every step of the way. We are dedicated to working closely with our clients to provide them with the best legal representation in Mankato.

Call Experienced Slip and Fall Attorneys in Mankato, Minnesota

Cases of premises liability, including slip and fall accidents, can be difficult to navigate for property owners who are asked to defend themselves in court. Here at Knutson + Casey, our award-winning team is highly trained in Minnesota liability laws, and we are prepared to help you develop a solid defense. We are passionate about helping our clients get the greatest possible outcome for their slip and fall liability cases, and now it’s our turn to help you.

To get started on your Mankato slip and fall case today, call the office of Knutson + Casey at (507) 344-8888 or reach out to us online to schedule a case consultation with one of our knowledgeable attorneys in Minnesota.