An Overview of Slip and Fall Cases In Texas

October 5, 2024 | By Francis Injury: Car & Truck Accident Lawyers
An Overview of Slip and Fall Cases In Texas
Slip and Fall Cases In Texas

Did you or a loved one have a slip and fall accident? Did you or someone you care about suffer injuries as a result?

If so, click here or call (817) 329-9001 to contact the Francis Injury Firm immediately to discuss your situation. Our firm can help you navigate your situation and attempt to recover the largest sum of money possible for your accident.

Slip and Fall Cases In Texas are more common than you might think. When big box stores like Walmart, Home Depot, and Costco or other retail establishments in the Dallas Fort Worth area fail to maintain safe premises, liquid spills, uneven flooring, or torn carpeting can lead to serious accidents. These dangerous conditions can cause slips, trips, and falls in an instant, resulting in severe injuries.

While older adults often suffer the most severe and life-threatening injuries in slip and fall accidents, it's important to note that individuals of all ages can be seriously hurt in these types of incidents. In fact, according to the National Floor Safety Institute (NFSI), falls account for more than eight million visits to emergency rooms each year, with over one million injuries being caused by slips and falls in hospitals.

If you were injured in a slip and fall accident in Texas, it's essential to understand your legal options. An experienced Texas slip and fall lawyer from the Francis Injury Firm can help you file a claim and work to secure the compensation you deserve for your injuries.

Slip & Fall Cases Won in Texas by the Francis Injury Firm

$206,545 – Premises Liability

An elderly woman was walking her dog in her neighborhood when she fell due to a home builder removing a sidewalk and failing to provide adequate warning. She suffered a shoulder injury. The pre-trial offer was $1,000, but the jury awarded her $206,545.

Premises Liability and Texas Slip and Fall Cases

Slip and fall claims are categorized as premises liability cases. Premises liability laws in Texas hold property owners or managers responsible for ensuring their property is free of hazards that could cause harm to guests, customers, or employees.

Property owners must address hazardous conditions promptly or provide adequate warning if immediate repairs are not possible. When a person is injured in a slip and fall accident—whether at a Walmart in Fort Worth, a Home Depot in Dallas, or any other location—these accidents typically happen because of unsafe conditions on the premises.

For example, a liquid spill may not have been cleaned up, torn carpeting might have been left unrepaired, or a broken light in a Costco parking lot might not have been replaced. These conditions can create dangerous situations for customers and visitors.

Common scenarios that lead to slip and fall accidents include:

  • Drink spills in a restaurant like McDonald's or Starbucks, causing a customer to slip;
  • Liquid spills in the aisle of a grocery store like Kroger or Target, leading to a customer falling;
  • Rainwater tracked into big box stores like Walmart or Costco, causing slippery floors near the entrance;
  • A customer slipping on torn carpeting in a retail store;
  • Slipping on a staircase due to a faulty railing in a store;
  • Inadequate lighting outside a retail establishment, leading to a slip and fall accident;
  • Slipping on a loose rug at a friend’s house or on private property.

It's clear that slip and fall accidents in Texas can happen anywhere—from a major retailer in Dallas to a neighbor’s property. Regardless of the location, the consequences can be devastating.

What is the Timetable for Filing a Slip and Fall Lawsuit in Texas?

After suffering injuries in a slip and fall accident, it’s essential to understand that Texas law imposes strict deadlines for filing a personal injury claim. The Texas statute of limitations (Tex. Civ. Prac. & Rem. Code § 16.003) gives you two years from the date of the accident to file a premises liability lawsuit.

If you miss this deadline, your claim will be time-barred, meaning you won’t be able to recover damages for your injuries. It’s critical to act quickly and consult a Dallas personal injury lawyer who can help you navigate the legal process and meet all deadlines.

The Francis Injury Firm offers free consultations to help you understand your rights and options after a slip and fall accident.

How Can Comparative Fault Impact a Texas Slip and Fall Claim?

Texas law follows a modified comparative fault rule (Tex. Civ. Prac. & Rem. Code § 33.001), which allows you to recover damages if you were partially at fault for your slip and fall accident—as long as you are not more than 50 percent responsible.

If you are 50 percent or less at fault, your compensation will be reduced by your percentage of fault. For example, if you are found to be 20 percent at fault, your damages will be reduced by 20 percent. However, if you are more than 50 percent responsible, you cannot recover any damages.

Slip and Fall Accidents in Big Box Stores in Dallas Fort Worth

Slip and fall accidents often happen at big box stores like Walmart, Home Depot, and Costco, where high foot traffic and frequent spills create a hazardous environment. For instance, Walmart has been involved in numerous slip and fall lawsuits, and these cases can result in significant settlements when negligence is proven. Retailers are required to maintain safe premises and regularly inspect their stores for potential hazards.

When you slip and fall in a Walmart or Home Depot in Fort Worth or Dallas, you should report the accident immediately to store management and seek medical attention. Then, consult a Dallas slip and fall attorney from the Francis Injury Firm to begin the process of pursuing compensation.

Contact an Experienced Texas Slip and Fall Attorney

If you’ve been injured in a slip and fall case in Texas, the Francis Injury Firm is here to help. Our experienced attorneys will fight for the compensation you deserve, whether the accident occurred at a Dallas Walmart, Fort Worth Home Depot, or any other location in Texas.

Contact us today for a free case evaluation or call us at (817) 329-9001 to schedule a consultation.