Washington, D.C.’s slip and fall laws hold property owners liable for the unsafe conditions that cause a person to slip and fall. If the owner was aware of the hazard or should have been aware, they can be held liable. In Washington D.C., there are several elements that must be proven in order to prove negligence:
- The property owner had a duty to maintain safe conditions on their premises
- The property owner breached this duty by failing to address known hazards or otherwise creating dangerous conditions
- A person slipped and fell as a result of the hazardous condition
- The slip and fall caused physical injury
- You suffered financial losses as a direct result of the accident such as medical expenses, lost wages, and pain and suffering.
It is important to note that the slip and fall laws in Washington D.C. requires that the property owner have knowledge of the hazard or should have known about it for them to be liable. For example, if a person slips and falls because of an oil spill but the owner had no knowledge of it, they would not be liable for any injuries or damages incurred by the accident.
Recoverable Compensation in a Slip and Fall Accident
Damages may be awarded for your injuries under slip and fall laws if your premises liability claim is successful. The following are examples of recoverable compensation:
- Medical costs that result because of your accident can be recovered, including the ambulance fee, hospitalization, testing, surgeries and rehabilitation.
- Lost wages often accrue when someone is injured in a slip and fall due to unpaid leave and can be recovered. In some instances, the injured party takes vacation time or sick leave, which is also recoverable.
- Pain and suffering for the physical trauma you experienced is claimable.
- Emotional distress is common in accidents and may include anxiety, depression or even post-traumatic stress disorder.
- Compensation for the loss of enjoyment of life is awarded when the injured person can no longer enjoy the life they had before such as going on skiing trips, hiking or other outdoor activities.
- Punitive damages (in some cases) is awarded when the cause of the injury was intentional or egregious.
The amount of damages you are entitled to will depend on the severity of your injuries and their impact on your life.
Contacting an Injury Lawyer to Handle Your Claim
If you have been injured due to slipping and falling on someone else’s property, contact a skilled personal injury lawyer immediately to discuss your rights and legal options under slip and fall laws. An experienced attorney can evaluate your case and help you seek appropriate compensation for your injuries, lost wages, medical expenses, and other losses stemming from the accident. With their guidance, you can ensure that you receive the full amount of compensation that you are entitled to.
Roeser Law Firm: Slip and Fall Lawyer
Contact the Roeser Law Firm at (202) 660-4070 for assistance if you suffered a slip and fall injury. We offer a free case review, can answer any questions you might have and will let you know about options going forward. Please feel free to contact us online as well. Unless your case is successfully resolved, there are no fees.
