Vancouver Slip and Fall Lawyers

If you have been hurt in a slip and fall accident in Vancouver, you may have already noticed just how disruptive sustaining serious injuries can be. Slip and fall accidents can result in significant physical pain, discomfort, and emotional distress. On top of that, injured victims often face substantial financial costs related to their recovery, especially when their injuries prevent them from performing their regular work duties.

When slip or trip and fall accidents happen on someone else’s property, whether at a Vancouver business, residential building, or public space, it can be difficult to know who is at fault. Many injured victims may instinctively blame themselves, even though they are not truly at fault.

Our Vancouver slip and fall lawyers offer free initial consultations to all prospective clients. If you have been injured and believe you might be entitled to compensation, call 1-844-373-8202 or contact us online to speak with a member of our legal team today.

Slip and Falls vs. Trip and Falls: What’s the Difference?

While both slips and trips can cause similar injuries, the way they occur is quite different. A slip happens where there is a loss of traction, such as on a wet, icy, or slick surface-causing you to fall backward. A trip happens when your foot catches on an object or uneven surface, sending you forward.

Understanding this distinction helps our Vancouver slip and fall lawyers identify the cause of the hazard and determine which party may be legally responsible under the Occupiers’ Liability Act. If you have questions about your situation and whether it may qualify for a legal claim, contact our Vancouver slip and fall lawyers today for a free consultation.

Who is Eligible for Compensation Following a Vancouver Slip or Trip and Fall Accident?

According to the World Health Organization (WHO), falls are one of the leading causes of unintentional injury-related fatalities worldwide. Each year, an average of 37.3 million people are hospitalized because of injuries sustained in falls-many of which are entirely preventable.

In Vancouver, slip and fall accidents often occur because a property owner or occupier failed to take reasonable care to maintain a safe environment for visitors. Under the British Columbia Occupiers’ Liability Act, property owners, landlords, tenants, and managers are legally required to ensure that anyone entering their property is reasonably safe.

This duty of care applies to commercial, private, and public properties alike. People who might be owed this duty of care include:

• Customers and employees
• Tenants and visitors
• Delivery workers and postal agents
• Contractors and maintenance workers
• Neighbours and passersby

If the property’s owner or occupier fails to repair, remove, or warn others about a dangerous condition-and a slip or trip and fall accident occurs as a result-they may be considered negligent and held liable for damages. That means if you were injured on someone else’s property in Vancouver, our slip and fall lawyers may be able to help you pursue a civil claim for compensation.

Common Hazards That Cause Slip and Fall Accidents

Seemingly commonplace, everyday, difficult-to-notice maintenance issues can cause serious accidents with life-altering impacts. Loose carpets, wet floors, uneven sidewalks, broken handrails, poor lighting, cluttered walkways, and icy pathways are all common contributors to Vancouver slip and fall accidents.

The severity of these accidents varies depending on the conditions and the injured person’s age or health. While younger individuals may recover quickly, older adults often suffer prolonged pain and mobility issues. In fact, falls are the leading cause of injury-related hospitalizations among Canadian seniors, and more than half of injury-related fatalities in older adults result from falls.

Common injuries sustained in Vancouver slip and fall accidents include:

• Hip fractures
• Facial or dental injuries
• Musculoskeletal injuries
• Fractures and sprains
• Traumatic brain injuries
• Spinal cord injuries
• Paralysis
• And more

No matter the victim’s age, the physical, emotional, and financial toll of a slip and fall can be severe. Victims may lose wages, require rehabilitation, and face ongoing medical expenses.

At Preszler Injury Lawyers, our Vancouver slip and fall lawyers have decades of experience in advancing slip and fall claims for injured victims. Contact us today and let us help you get the compensation you deserve.

Compensation Available to Vancouver Slip and Fall Victims

If you were injured because of another person’s negligence, our Vancouver slip and fall lawyers may be able to recover compensation for:

• Medical expenses and prescription drugs
• Pain and suffering
• Attendant care or mobility aids
• Home modifications for accessibility
• Mileage to and from medical appointments
• Housekeeping or personal care services
• Lost wages and reduced future earning capacity
• Physiotherapy, chiropractic care, or strength-training classes
• Psychological treatment
• Legal fees and other out-of-pocket costs
• And more

Each case is unique, and the total compensation you’re eligible for will depend on the nature of your injuries and the long-term effects on your life. Our Vancouver slip and fall lawyers can evaluate your case and calculate the full value of your claim.

Proving Negligence Under the Occupiers’ Liability Act

In accordance with the Occupiers’ Liability Act, property owners and occupiers in Vancouver must take reasonable steps to protect those entering their premises. This means they must perform regular inspections, repair known hazards, and post clear warnings about any unsafe conditions.

Those who fail to meet this duty may be found negligent if a visitor is injured as a result. Negligent parties might include:

• Property managers
• Landlords
• Business owners and operators
• Tenants
• Superintendents
• Contractors and landscapers
• Anyone responsible for property maintenance or access

If a property owner or occupier knew or should have known about a dangerous condition but failed to address it, they can be held liable for injuries caused by their inaction.

How Our Vancouver Slip And Fall Lawyers Build Your Case

Many people are not sure whether their fall is “serious enough” to talk to a lawyer about. Our Vancouver slip and fall lawyers start by listening to your story, reviewing where and how the accident happened, and explaining in plain language how the law in British Columbia may apply to you.

If we believe you may have a claim, we can take practical steps to build your case, which may include:

• Reviewing accident reports, maintenance logs, and safety policies from the property owner
• Obtaining your medical records and, where appropriate, consulting medical specialists about your prognosis
• Requesting surveillance footage from businesses, strata corporations, or public bodies
• Speaking with witnesses and preserving their contact information while memories are still fresh
• Analyzing whether the property owner complied with their duties under the Occupiers’ Liability Act of British Columbia
• And more

Because falls are a leading cause of injury-related hospitalizations for seniors in Canada, and one in three British Columbians over 65 will experience a fall each year, the medical and financial impact can be significant for injured people and their families.

Our goal as Vancouver slip and fall lawyers is to help you understand your options and, where appropriate, pursue fair compensation so you can focus on your recovery.

Steps To Take After A Slip And Fall Accident In Vancouver

The steps you take in the hours and days after a fall can make a major difference to any future claim. Our Vancouver slip and fall lawyers generally recommend that injured people in Vancouver:

1. Put their health and safety first

Get medical attention as soon as you can, even if the pain seems minor at first. Some head, neck, or soft-tissue injuries only become obvious later. A visit to your family doctor, a walk-in clinic, or an emergency department also creates a medical record that may help document your injuries at a later date.

2. Preserve evidence from the scene

If you are physically able to, take photos and videos of the accident scene where you were injured. In addition to photos of the hazard, take close-up and wide-angle shots, and note any temporary conditions like spilled liquids, ice, snow, or poor lighting. If you slipped because of winter conditions, try to capture whether any sanding, salting, or cleaning was done.

3. Keep everything in one place

Start a folder (digital or paper) for photos, receipts, medical notes, wage-loss information, and any correspondence from insurers or the property owner.

4. Avoid signing anything before getting legal advice

Sometimes, insurers or property managers contact injured people quickly and ask them to sign forms or provide statements. Before agreeing to anything, consider speaking with a Vancouver slip and fall lawyer so you understand how this might affect your rights.

If you are unsure whether you have done enough to protect your potential claim, you can always contact our Vancouver personal injury lawyers for a free consultation to discuss the circumstances of your fall and the next steps that may be available to you.

Time Limits For Slip And Fall Claims In Vancouver

Even strong claims can be lost if they are not started in time. In most personal injury cases in British Columbia, there is a basic two-year limitation period. That means you generally have two years from when you first knew, or reasonably should have known, that you were injured and that someone else’s act or omission caused that injury. This deadline is set out in the Limitation Act.

If your slip and fall occurred on public or municipal property in Vancouver (for example, on a city sidewalk like Granville Street or in Stanley Park), there may be additional, much shorter notice requirements. Courts in British Columbia have confirmed that, while the two-year limitation period still applies, claims against municipalities can be affected by a two-month written notice provision under the Local Government Act.

Because these deadlines can be complex and fact-specific, it is important to get legal advice as soon as possible. If you believe you may have a claim, connect with our Vancouver slip and fall lawyers as early as you can so that your key deadlines can be identified and monitored.

Common Defences Used In Vancouver Slip And Fall Claims

In many cases, property owners, occupiers, and their insurers do not simply accept responsibility after a fall. Understanding the kinds of arguments they may raise can help you see why early legal help is so valuable.

Some common defences that may be used in slip and fall cases include:

Allegations of contributory negligence

The defendant or their insurance company may argue that you were partly responsible for your accident because you were distracted, not watching where you were going, or ignoring warning signs. Even if a court finds that both sides share fault, you may still be entitled to compensation. The amount you receive could simply be reduced to reflect your share of responsibility.

Blaming footwear or mobility aids

Insurers may suggest that your shoes, mobility device, or walking speed were the real cause of the fall. Our Vancouver slip and fall lawyers may obtain expert evidence or witness statements to address these arguments and show how the property conditions contributed to your injury and caused your losses.

Claiming the hazard was “obvious” or properly maintained

Property owners sometimes argue that reasonable inspection and cleaning systems were in place and that any hazard appeared very shortly before your fall. Reviewing maintenance records, cleaning schedules, and available video can be crucial in testing these claims.

Government resources on occupiers’ liability in BC and commentary from legal experts emphasize the importance of proving what steps an occupier actually took to keep visitors safe. Our lawyers will help obtain this documentation and review it on your behalf to confirm negligence on the part of the occupier. Because each case is different, our team looks closely at the facts of your accident, your injuries, and the applicable law.

Frequently Asked Questions About Vancouver Slip And Fall Lawsuits

Do I need a Vancouver slip and fall lawyer if my injuries seem minor?

Even injuries that seem minor at first can develop into more serious problems over time. Speaking with a Vancouver slip and fall lawyer early can help you understand your options, preserve important evidence, and avoid missing any limitation periods, even if you ultimately decide not to pursue a claim.

How is the value of a slip and fall claim assessed?

There is no simple formula, but factors such as the severity of your injuries, your recovery time, any temporary or permanent disability, your income loss, and out-of-pocket expenses all play a role. An experienced lawyer can review the circumstances of your case to help you determine how much compensation you may be eligible for.

What if I’m not sure whether the property owner was actually at fault?

You do not need to have everything figured out before you call us. Part of our job as Vancouver slip and fall lawyers is to investigate whether the facts support a claim, including analyzing the property owner’s obligations under the Occupiers Liability Act and any applicable local bylaws.

Call Our Vancouver Slip and Fall Lawyers Today

The process of recovering from a fall can be isolating and overwhelming. That’s why Preszler Injury Lawyers handles every aspect of your claim, giving you the time to focus on healing.

Our Vancouver slip and fall lawyers can:

• Investigate the cause of your accident
• Gather witness statements and photographic evidence
• Obtain surveillance footage and inspection records
• Consult medical experts to support your claim
• Negotiate settlements with insurance companies
• Represent you in court, if necessary
• And more

At Preszler Injury Lawyers, we operate on a contingency-fee basis. This means you pay no fees unless we win your case.

Don’t miss any important deadlines and forfeit your right to claim. To review your situation and learn about your legal options, call 1-844-373-8202 or contact us online to schedule a free, no-obligation consultation with our Vancouver slip and fall lawyers today.

Proudly Canadian

Case Results

Slipped and Fell in Vancouver?