Gavel

Slip & Fall Accidents

It is often difficult to navigate the complex personal injury and premises liability laws in Arizona.  Premises liability encompasses slip and fall cases and trip and fall cases.

The party at fault, which is usually a retail store or other business establishment, rarely will admit any responsibility and puts the blame on you the victim.  As the victim, it is your burden to  prove that the establishment was negligent.  Many times, an expert can be helpful in this regard.

Our firm has thorough knowledge of Arizona state and local laws in Maricopa County.  We can guide you on the definite do’s and don’ts after a slip-and-fall incident or a trip-and-fall incident.  Not doing the right thing, could inadvertently put your entire case in jeopardy.  Videos and other evidence needs to be preserved before they are erased or altered.  Witnesses may need to be called  to provide statements before any facts are forgotten. Our firm can help to navigate these bumpy waters for you, establish the necessary facts, and work to get you the compensation you are entitled to.

The Law Office of A.J. Mitchell can help you in a slip-and-fall case by:

  • Securing Evidence: Supporting evidence is needed to provide liability. You as the victim have a right to this evidence, and our firm provides invaluable advice on what evidence is needed and we get it for you.  For example, letters need to be sent out right away to make sure that the party responsible for your slip and fall incident does not alter or discard any evidence.  
  • Proving Liability: Damages can be recovered only if it can be proven that the other party was negligent in performing its duties, and that this led directly to your injuries. Every slip and fall case is different and proving this is not easy. The premises where the slip and fall incident occurred and circumstances that caused the slip and fall must be carefully examined in the light of Arizona laws. Our firms experience knows what is important and hires experts to back up your claims when necessary.
  • Establishing Damages: After liability is proven, damages must be established. Damages consist of medical expenses, lost income, canceled travel and other factors all come into play. Letters from doctors are obtained, medical records and itemized bills and income and tax information is carefully reviewed. Many times experts are engaged.  These are all important in establishing damages.

If you are injured in a slip/trip-and-fall incident no matter how minor you may think your injury may be you should seek treatment right away.   The following are the common types of injuries sustained from a slip-and-fall incident.

  • Bruises and Cuts:  Although they can look quite serious, these are generally just superficial wounds. In the worst cases, stitches are required, but cuts and bruises usually heal without leaving behind any long-term effects.
  • Soft tissue injuries: Soft tissue injuries from a slip and fall incident can range from sprains to tears. They aren’t usually visible or show up on an x-ray so it isn’t always known how serious the injuries are unless examined by a doctor.  Soft tissue injuries can also lead to long-term complications, especially if left untreated.  These are the most difficult to prove, so it is important to be checked out by a doctor right away so they can establish and document care. 
  • Broken Bones: This can range from a minor fracture to a serious break that requires surgery. Internal and/or External bleeding could result. Whether or not a bone is broken cannot always be determined at the site of the incident; an x-ray is the only way to truly assess the exact nature and extent of the break.  It is important if you think you have a break from a slip and fall incident to seek medical attention right away. 
  • Head Injuries: Head injuries should always be taken seriously, even if they seem  minor.  Serious head injuries may only have minor symptoms at first such as a headache or dizziness; what may seem to be a small concussion could actually be a traumatic brain injury and could lead to additional impairment. If a slip and fall incident results in a head injury, go directly to a doctor or hospital. 
  • Spinal Cord Injuries:  Spinal Cord Injuries are the most serious types of injuries in a slip-and-fall incident.  They can result in partial or full paralysis. Long-term care is usually needed after a spinal cord injury from a slip and fall, and medical bills can easily add up.  Immediate medical assistance is necessary to treat the injury and prevent any further damage.

Site Links

Practice Areas

Contact Information

The Law Office of A.J. Mitchell, P.L.C.
14555 N. Scottsdale Road, Suite 170
Scottsdale, AZ 85254

Call or Text: (480) 595-6800

Mon.-Fri. 9am to 6pm

Facebook Twitter

In Arizona, attorneys serving the communities of Phoenix, Scottsdale, Tempe, Mesa, Carefree, Cave Creek, Paradise Valley, Anthem, Fountain Hills, Chandler, Glendale & surrounding areas.

The information on this website is intended to be informational only and does not establish an attorney/client relationship, nor is it meant to be legal advice for a specific matter.