It happens before your brain can process it. You are walking down a wet floor in a grocery store, you lose your footing, and in an instant come crashing to the ground. Younger people will probably walk away with some bruises, but adults over 65 may have broken bones or other serious injuries.
Dangerous conditions like icy walkways and loose and detached carpets will never disappear. Even with proper preparation, you may still slip.
A good fall attorney does not take these kinds of accidents lightly. Slip-and-fall cases deserve fair compensation, just like any other personal injury claim. The Iowa Advocates recognize this and provide injury victims with the legal counsel necessary to recoup lost income and pay medical bills.
We are here for people suffering from post-fall injuries. While we cannot eliminate the risk of slipping and falling, we can help people deal with the legal issues that come with these injuries.
Contact The Advocates personal injury law firm today for your free consultation. It is the first step towards fair compensation for your fall injury.
Immediately after your accident, assess your injuries
Contact The Advocates as soon as possible to begin the road to recovery
Seek medical attention as soon as you can
Keep track of any and all treatment you receive during recovery
Once you’ve completed treatment, your case can move forward
Your Advocate will send a demand letter to the other party
You will pay nothing out-of-pocket when you hire an Advocate.
Your initial consultation with us is always 100% free. There are never any upfront costs or hidden fees.
Our attorneys work on a contingency fee basis, which means that our attorney fees are calculated as a percentage of your settlement. We don’t get paid unless we win your case, and you receive a settlement.
For more information on how settlements and payment work, please see our contingency fee information page.
Not every accident requires an attorney. However, if the accident resulted in injuries or significant property damage, it is a good idea to contact a lawyer. An experienced personal injury attorney can help you navigate the claims process, which can be lengthy and complex.
Your attorney will build your case, keep track of your medical records, negotiate with insurance companies, and represent you in court if necessary. Studies have shown that accident victims who hire a personal injury lawyer can receive settlements up to 3.5 times larger than if they settled on their own.
The best way to know if you have a case is to speak with an attorney. The Advocates offer free consultations—you can speak with a qualified legal team to understand what your case is worth without paying a dime. Once you have decided to hire an Advocate, we will investigate your accident to firmly establish liability.
Every personal injury case is different. There is no one-size-fits-all solution to accident claims. The length of the claims process will depend on the severity of your injuries, the willingness of the other party to settle, the court’s caseload, and more.
In general, personal injury cases can take anywhere from several months to a few years. It’s important to contact an attorney as soon as possible to get your case started. Each state has a statute of limitations for personal injury cases, after which you will lose your right of action.
When you hire The Advocates, we will begin investigating your accident immediately while you finish medical treatment. Once all evidence and medical records have been compiled, your attorney will send a demand letter to the other party’s insurance company. At this point, negotiations will begin.
In many cases, a settlement can be reached during negotiations. If the other party refuses to make a fair offer, you may choose to file a suit. In the litigation phase, your attorney will represent you in court in front of a judge, jury, and/or arbitrator.
For more than 30 years, The Advocates have helped thousands of personal injury victims receive the compensation and care they deserve after their accidents, and we are prepared to do the same for you.
We can help you:
Premises liability law deals with the responsibility of property owners to ensure individuals are safe on their premises. If you are injured on someone else’s property, the duty owed by the property owner depends on your legal status.
There are three classifications of visitors:
Your legal status in a slip-and-fall claim will affect the outcome of your case. Personal injury attorneys know this, and determining your visitor classification at the location of your fall will be one of the first legal issues you and your attorney work through.
You must also show that the property owner breached their duty to keep their premises safe by not fixing or marking potential tripping hazards.
Causation is another critical element to prove. There must be demonstrable evidence that the unsafe conditions of the property caused your injuries. This connection is crucial when determining liability.
Then, the damages from the accident must be compensated, including medical expenses, lost wages, and funeral expenses if a loved one passes away from a slip-and-fall.
There are a lot of factors in a slip-and-fall case. It is often a challenging path from filing your claim to getting maximum compensation. The Advocates have years of experience in this field of law and are ready to take on that challenge with you.
A fall can lead to mild bruising or more catastrophic injuries. Some common injuries fall victims experience are:
Where your accident occurs will determine what insurance covers your damage. Most businesses have general liability insurance covering damages from a slip-and-fall accident.
If you are at somebody’s house, their homeowner’s insurance should cover damages.
Before filing a personal injury claim, you must prove the property owner was somehow negligent.
Iowa’s statute of limitations for personal injury cases, which includes slip-and-fall accidents, is typically two years. As the injured party, you have two years from the accident date to file a lawsuit against the responsible party. If you do not file within the time frame,
If you do not file a claim before the deadline, the property owner can ask for your lawsuit to be dismissed. As with any aspect of law, there are exceptions. It is always advisable to consult with a personal injury lawyer to get advice tailored to your unique situation.
People over 65 face danger from slip-and-fall accidents that younger folks do not. There are many reasons why, such as:
There is no denying it: Slip-and-fall accidents can lead to catastrophic injuries for senior citizens. The consequences are usually exacerbated pain and suffering, more medical bills, and a longer recovery time.
If you are over 65 and suffer a slip-and-fall accident, you should not pay a single cent for your recovery. A reputable slip-and-fall attorney knows that and will give you the legal representation necessary to get you maximum compensation.
Your health comes before any talk of lawsuits. Get medical help as soon as possible, even if the injuries are minor.
You or a loved one must immediately inform the property owner or manager of the accident. Ensure you get a written report and keep a record of it.
Take pictures of everything related to the accident. If your injuries demand immediate attention, have someone else take photos—document where you fell, the conditions that led you to fall, and your injuries.
Obtain the names and contact information of anyone who witnessed your accident. Their statements may be helpful in your case.
Do not get into detailed discussions about the accident with the insurance company, insurance adjusters, or anyone who could lose something from your claim. Any statements you make could be used against you.
Bring your case to an experienced fall lawyer. Give them all the details of your accident. You are more likely to win your case through an attorney-client relationship than attempting to go through the process alone.
You should hire a personal injury attorney as soon as you are ready, keeping in mind the statute of limitations for slip-and-fall claims. Insurance companies do not want you to seek legal representation because then you are less likely to be taken advantage of. They aim to give you as little compensation as possible for your accident.
The Advocates want the exact opposite. You deserve fair compensation for your slip-and-fall claim. Our team is ready to make that happen. We will answer your questions, fight for your rights in court, and guide you down the road to recovery.
We operate on a contingency fee basis, meaning we only get paid if we win your case. Our fees are a certain percentage of your final settlement.
We are based in Des Moines but are here to serve everyone in Iowa. Contact us today. With our help, you can come back from your slip-and-fall accident standing tall with dignity. You deserve it. You deserve an Advocate.