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Missoula Slip and Fall Lawyers

The Advocates are experienced personal injury attorneys based in Missoula, MT, dedicated to providing skilled legal representation for victims of accidents and injuries. We guide our clients through every step of the claims process to help them pursue the compensation they deserve.

A Slip-and-Fall Attorney Can Help Assist You with Your Case

If you are in Bozeman, Missoula, or anywhere else in Montana, you know how slippery this state can be. 

The Advocates have a firm understanding about the severity of slip-and-falls. They are serious injuries with physical pain and suffering that can be increased tenfold when stacked with medical expenses and property damage.

At the core of our attorney-client relationship is a desire to lessen these difficulties by providing expert legal advice every step of the way.

That means one of our Missoula personal injury attorneys will guide you through the legal minefield by protecting your rights. A quick consultation today is all it will take to begin your journey towards fair compensation for your serious injuries.  

The Next Steps in Your Missoula Slip-and-Fall Case

Injury

Immediately after your accident, assess your injuries

Hire Attorney

Contact The Advocates as soon as possible to begin the road to recovery

Treatment

Seek medical attention as soon as you can

Medical Records

Keep track of all treatment you receive during recovery

Finish Treatment

Once you’ve completed treatment, your case can move forward

Demand

Your Advocate will send a demand letter to the other party

Frequently Asked Questions

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 basis, which means that our attorney fees are calculated as a percentage of your settlement. We do not 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.

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 gather evidence, keep track of your medical records, negotiate with insurance companies, and represent you in court if necessary.

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 several years. It is 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.

A Team of Slip-and-Fall Professionals Assigned to Your Case

For nearly 30 years, The Advocates have helped thousands of personal injury victims receive fair compensation and care they deserve after their accidents, and we are prepared to do the same for you.

We can help you:

  • Understand the claims process
  • Investigate your accident
  • Work together with you towards a full resolution of your injuries
  • Negotiate with insurance adjusters
  • Obtain a settlement or judgment against the at-fault party

Talking to a Professional

Talk to a professional

Understanding Montana Law on Slip-and-Falls

Young woman attempt to jump over railing into restricted area

Premises liability 

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:   

  • Invitee: You enter the property for public use or business purposes, such as a customer entering a store. Property owners have the highest duty of care to invitees. They must regularly take reasonable steps to address any slip-and-fall dangers.
  • Licensee: You enter someone’s property for your own purposes with the owner’s consent, such as being a social guest at someone’s house. Owners must warn licensees of known dangers that are not readily apparent.
  • Trespasser: You enter the property without permission. Owners owe no duty except to refrain from willfully causing harm.

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. Proving negligence is the basis of any personal injury claim.  

There must also 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. 

What is the statute of limitations for slip-and-falls in Montana? 

You have three years from the date of your accident to file a personal injury claim. 

There are some caveats to this timeframe. 

If an injury victim is a minor, that three-year cap does not start until they turn 18. For example, if your child was injured in a car accident at 15 due to someone else’s negligence, then you would have six years to file the claim (three years until the minor turns 18 and then another three for the statute of limitations).

Renters Insurance form on a table and keys.

Does insurance cover slip-and-falls?   

Yes, insurance can cover slip-and-falls. While there are various insurances, such as workers’ compensation, most people will have to deal with three types of insurance when recovering damages from their accidents.

  • Homeowner’s insurance: If you slip and get hurt on someone’s property, their homeowner’s insurance typically covers legal costs and medical treatment.
  • Renter’s insurance: Offers liability coverage to renters if someone gets hurt due to their negligence. The landlord’s insurance may cover the property itself, but the renter’s insurance would cover any injuries someone gets.
  • Commercial general liability: This covers an accident that happened on a business’s property.

Remember that these insurances protect the interests of whoever’s negligence caused your slip-and-fall. They have no interest in helping you. Contact an experienced personal injury attorney to get someone who wants to help on your side.

What to do after a Montana slip-and-fall accident 

The following steps exist to protect your well-being. Immediately after a slip-and-fall accident, everything related to your fall can be used as evidence to make your case.   

The steps are: 

  • Seek medical attention: Your health comes before any talk of lawsuits. Get medical help immediately, even if the injuries are minor. Keep all medical bills.
  • Report the incident: 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.
  • Document the scene: 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.
  • Gather witness information: Obtain the names and contact information of anyone who witnessed your accident. Their statements may be helpful in your case.
  • Be cautious with what you say: 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.
  • Consult an attorney: 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. 
Female Patient Being Reassured By Doctor In Hospital Room

Montanans Experience a Lot of Slip-and-Falls

Data on slip-and-falls in Montana

Montana is ranked 7th in the U.S. for age-adjusted death rate due to injury. Falls are one of the primary ways people get injured. The data on falls in The Big Sky Country paint a telling picture of how many Montanans have experienced a slip-and-fall. 

  • 1 out of 4 Montanans over 45 reports falling over the last year (data was collected in 2021).
  • Accidental falls are the third most common injury-related death—behind auto accidents and firearms.
  • People living in a rural region have a significantly higher chance of falling.
  • Hospitalizations due to falling are the highest and deadliest among older demographics.
  • 32% of falls resulted in a hip fracture, and 22% caused some sort of brain injury.

How to reduce your chances of falling

Falling once doubles your chance of falling again. You can never completely prevent a fall, but you can lessen the chances of one happening with a few easy changes in your life. 

  • Talk to your doctor to evaluate your risk of falling and if your medication may be contributing to dizziness or sleepiness.
  • Do lower body strength and balancing exercises.
  • Visit your eye doctor once a year to ensure your vision is always 20/20.
  • Make your home safer by removing tripping hazards, making it brighter, and adding stability bars outside your shower.
A woman walks on a slippery sidewalk while carrying bags

Common slip-and-fall injuries  

The type of accident you have will determine your injuries. Some common injuries fall victims experience are:  

  • Bruising and soft tissue injuries
  • Sprains and strains, particularly in the wrists, hands, or ankles
  • Broken bones, especially hips
  • Neck, back, and spinal cord injuries
  • Traumatic brain injuries
  • Wrongful death of a loved one

When Should I Hire a Missoula Slip-and-Fall Attorney?

The Advocates have years of experience as a personal injury law firm. Throughout our time, we have seen the full range of pain and suffering resulting from slip-and-falls or other injuries. 

This is why our legal services focus on creating a legal roadmap that will help you get a settlement that gives you the financial freedom to recover.

Perhaps you slipped in a nursing home or tumbled on an icy sidewalk. Regardless of your case, feel free to contact us for a free case evaluation. Our experienced personal injury attorneys are always ready to provide legal representation for our fellow Montanans.

Do not ever think a slip-and-fall injury is unworthy of compensation. Quite the opposite, actually. You deserve complete restitution for your injuries. You deserve an Advocate who can make that happen. 

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