Burnaby Slip and Fall Accident Lawyer

Slip and fall accidents are common occurrences that can happen anywhere. While visiting both commercial and residential properties, Burnaby residents could slip on an unnoticed, seemingly innocent maintenance hazard and sustain serious injuries as a result. 

The injuries commonly sustained in slip and fall accidents can have long-lasting effects on an individual’s quality of life. Accident survivors could face physical challenges, emotional difficulties, and financial hardships for weeks, months, or even years following their falls.

Slip and fall accidents can result in a wide range of injuries, from minor cuts and bruises to broken bones, traumatic brain injuries (TBIs), spinal cord injuries, and more. For older adults, slip and fall accidents can be particularly dangerous and can result in life-threatening injuries. 85% of older Canadians’ injury-related hospitalizations are the result of a fall, and more than half of their injury-related deaths.

If you have slipped and fallen due to the negligence of another party, you may be entitled to compensation. At Preszler Injury Lawyers, our Burnaby slip and fall lawyers help injured victims recoup the losses they have incurred from their slip and fall accident. To find out if you have a case today, call 1-888-373-8202 or fill out our online contact form.

What’s the Difference Between a Slip and Fall and Trip and Fall Accident?

While slips and falls are very similar to trip and falls, trip and fall accidents are technically distinct. While slips and falls often result from slipping on icy or wet surfaces, trips and falls occur when a victim loses their footing over hazards like: 

• Loose floorboards
• Uneven stairs
• Cracked sidewalks
• Rippled carpeting
• Boses and debris left in walkways
• And more

Simple trip and fall accidents can result in injuries to the back, brain, limbs, and spinal cord. In fact, trip and fall accidents are one of the leading causes of unintentional injuries in British Columbia. According to the BC Injury Research and Prevention Unit, trip and fall injuries cost the province over $290 million a year in health care expenses alone. 

Whether you slip on a wet floor or trip over uneven flooring, if the premises owner or property manager knew about (or ought to have known about) a hazard but failed to remove it or warn you, they may be held liable for your injuries.

Steps to Take After a Slip and Fall Accident in Burnaby

Whether you tripped on a hazard while walking through the Burnaby Village Museum or slipped at Metropolis at Metrotown, you should understand the actions you can take afterwards to protect yourself and protect your legal claim. 

In the immediate aftermath of a slip and fall accident, it is important to:

• Seek Medical Attention: Even if you are unsure about the severity of your injuries, it is still a good idea to see a doctor after your accident. Some injuries may not be immediately apparent but can become more severe if not treated promptly. Request a copy of your official report for your own records and save the name and contact information of the accident report’s recipient. 
• Report the Accident: Report the accident to the property owner or manager as soon as possible. Request a copy of your official report for your own records and save the name and contact information of the accident report’s recipient.

• Document the Scene: Take photos or videos of the accident scene, including any hazardous conditions that caused the accident (such as wet floors, uneven surfaces, or debris).
• Gather Contact Information: Try to get the names and contact information of any witnesses who saw the accident occur.
• Keep Track of Medical Bills and Expenses: Retain all medical bills and record all expenses related to your injuries that you have been required to pay out-of-pocket, including mileage to and from medical appointments, physiotherapy bills, and lost wages due to missed work.
• Consult with a Burnaby Slip and Fall Lawyer: To understand your legal options and to ensure your rights are protected, schedule a free initial consultation with our Burnaby slip and fall accident lawyers. To do so, contact us today.

How Does Occupiers’ Liability Work in Burnaby?

British Columbia’s Occupiers’ Liability Act outlines the responsibilities of property owners/occupiers to ensure that their premises are safe for visitors. In accordance with this Act, an occupier has a duty to take reasonable care to ensure that their premises are safe for visitors. If an occupier fails to meet this duty of care and a visitor is injured as a result, the occupier may be held liable for the visitor’s injuries.

In the context of slip and fall accident claims, the term “occupier” refers to someone who has control over the premises, such as the owner, tenant, or property manager. If the person responsible for the property’s maintenance and/or the person who controls access to the space has failed to take reasonable preventative measures to reduce the risk of injury-causing slips and falls on the premises, they may be considered negligent. In such situations, injured victims of slip and fall accidents may be able to recover compensation for their damages.

Negligence leading to slips, trips, or falls might include: 

• Uneven stairs or a lack of a railing
• Loose floorboards or tile
• Ripples or folds in a carpet
• Electrical cords lying across walkways
• Poor lighting
• Cracked pavement or potholes
• Merchandise, tools, or clutter in aisles,
• Water, snow, ice, or other slippery materials on the floor
• And more

If the person responsible for maintaining the property failed to address such hazards, you may be entitled to compensation for your damages.

What Compensation is Available After Slip and Fall Accidents in Burnaby?

If the property owner’s negligence caused you to trip and fall, you have the right to make a claim. However, to win your claim and receive maximum compensation for your damages, you must prove the owner of the property failed to take the necessary measures to keep the premises reasonably safe for visitors.

Accident victims may be entitled to recover damages for both economic and non-economic losses, which can include:

• Medical and rehabilitation expenses, including doctor’s visits, surgeries, prescriptions, physiotherapy, massage therapy, and counselling
• Lost wages and reduced future earning capacity
• Out-of-pocket costs, including mobility aids and home modifications
• Pain and suffering damages
• Loss of quality of life, scarring, or disfigurement
• Emotional harm and long-term disability
• And more

Every case is unique. The compensation available to claimants depends on the severity of injuries, how long they last, and how they impact the ability to work and lead a normal life. 

Most likely, the property owner’s liability insurance company will be responsible for paying your claim. Insurance companies have specific tactics they use to defend personal injury claims after slip and falls. Dealing with them alone or without tailored legal advice may lead you to make mistakes that hurt your claim. We recommend that you meet with an experienced Burnaby slip and fall lawyer at Preszler Injury Lawyers as soon as possible after your fall. We can investigate your case and gather all necessary evidence to support your claim before you speak with insurance adjusters.

Why Hire Our Burnaby Slip and Fall Lawyers?

Insurance companies defending property owners are sophisticated and often attempt to minimize payouts to injured accident victims. Without legal guidance, accident victims risk accepting settlements that are worth far less than what they deserve. 

When you work with our Burnaby slip and fall accident lawyers, we: 

• Investigate your accident and gather detailed evidence to support your claim and prove negligence 
• Handle all communications and negotiations with insurance providers
• File all the paperwork and legal minutiae to alleviate stress on your part
• Work to ensure you are getting the proper treatment for your injuries
• Ensure your current and future losses are fully documented to calculate the full extent of your damages
• Negotiate for fair compensation and, if necessary, take your case to court. 

Since 1959, we have helped hundreds of injured clients across BC and Canada pursue their rights and recover meaningful compensation. We will also ensure that you do not miss any important deadlines for filing your claim under BC’s Limitation Act. 

Schedule a Free Consultation With Our Burnaby Slip and Fall Lawyers Today

If you have been injured in a slip and fall accident on someone else’s property, consider scheduling a free initial consultation with our Burnaby slip and fall accident lawyers. If you are eligible to pursue a civil claim, our slip and fall accident lawyers serving Burnaby may be able to provide crucial assistance in your pursuit of fair compensation. 

To receive case-specific legal feedback from our Burnaby slip and fall accident lawyers, schedule your cost-free, no-obligation initial consultation with us today. Call us at 1-844-373-8202 or fill out our online contact form now.

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