Slip and fall accidents can happen anywhere. When trouble arises, Fields Injury Law is the slip and fall accident law firm you need.
Whether it’s an icy winter sidewalk, or a wet grocery store floor, slip and fall accidents happen every day in Minneapolis. Not only do these incidents often lead to serious injuries and large medical bills, they can sometimes keep victims out of work for months.
If a property owner’s negligence has caused you or someone you love to suffer a slip and fall accident, Fields Injury Law is here to help.
Our Minneapolis slip and fall lawyers have years of experience helping our clients recover compensation they deserve from property owners and insurers. We will guide you through every step of the legal process, so you can focus on your recovery.
There are countless slip and fall accidents each year in Minneapolis. Don’t let the burden of medical bills and lost wages fall on you alone. Get help from one of Minnesota's top slip and fall accident law firms, Fields Injury Law.
What Qualifies as a Slip and Fall Accident in Minneapolis?
When a hazardous condition on another person’s property causes someone to lose balance and fall, it is considered a slip and fall accident.
These accidents frequently occur in restaurants, retail stores, apartment buildings, sidewalks, parking lots, and other public spaces. Slip and fall accidents can even occur on private property.
Whether a personal injury claim can be pursued boils down to this—did the property owner know about the hazard, and did they fail to take proper steps to fix the danger?
If the answer is “yes”, then seeking help from a Minneapolis attorney specializing in slip & fall accidents is essential.
Common Causes of Slip and Fall Accidents
There are many ways that a slip and fall accident can occur. Some of the most common causes in Minneapolis are:
- Icy sidewalks, stairs, and untreated walkways
- Cracked or uneven pavement and sidewalks
- Wet or slippery floors in grocery or retail stores
- Unmarked spills in restaurants and cafés
- Potholes or uneven pavement in parking lots
Each of these incidents are entirely preventable when property owners exercise the proper care over their buildings and grounds—and when they don’t, injuries are inevitable.
How Minnesota Classifies Slip and Fall Claims
In Minnesota, slip and fall claims fall under what is known as premises liability.
Under state law, property owners have a responsibility to keep their property reasonably safe. If a property owner is aware of a dangerous condition that can lead to a slip and fall accident, they must take reasonable steps to rectify the issue, or be held financially responsible when an injury occurs on their property.
If you or someone you care about has been injured due to unsafe conditions on a property, Minnesota law gives you the right to seek damages.
Slip and Fall vs. Trip and Fall Cases: Understanding the Difference
While both of these incidents fall under the same legal rules, there are slight differences in the cause of each.
Slip and fall accidents happen when a surface is slick, such as from ice, water, or oil.
Trip and fall accidents happen when something blocks a pathway, such as uneven flooring, clutter, or raised edges.
Both of these types of injuries are preventable when the property owner takes the proper care, and both forms of incident leave the property owner liable for injuries.
Why Do Slip and Fall Accidents Happen in Minneapolis?
Minnesota is known for its bone-chilling winters, causing numerous slip and fall accidents each year. But it isn’t just the brutal winter weather alone that leads to slip and fall accidents. Poor property conditions year-round are often to blame.
Below are some of the major contributors to slip and fall accidents, year round:
- Weather related hazards: Snow, sleet, rain, and ice can create slick sidewalks. Property owners must clear sidewalks, entryways, and parking lots within a reasonable amount of time, before icy conditions set in.
- Poor Property Conditions: Broken staircases, loose rails, and unmarked wet floors can all cause serious injuries.
- Unsafe Floors: Warped flooring, loose mats, torn carpets, and other defective flooring cause trip and fall accidents year-round.
- Inadequate Lighting and Signage: Dark stairwells, dimly lit hallways, and a lack of warning signage are all contributors to slip/trip and fall accidents.
Minnesota Premises Liability Laws
When someone suffers a slip and fall accident on another person’s property, Minnesota premises liability laws allow them to take legal action against the property owner. The law makes it clear what property owners’ responsibilities are, and how claims work:
Property Owner Responsibilities
Anyone that owns or manages a property is expected to regularly inspect their property for hazards. When a hazard is discovered, it must be repaired in a reasonable amount of time. As long as the hazard exists, it is the property owner/manager’s responsibility to adequately warn visitors of the danger. Failure to meet these responsibilities can leave the owner/manager liable for injuries.
Visitor Types
Minnesota law uses three classifications for visitors to a property:
- Invitees: Customers, tenants, and guests who are there with permission or for the owner’s benefit. Owners have the highest duty of care to these visitors.
- Licensees: Social guests or non-commercial visitors. These visitors must be warned of known dangers.
- Trespassers: People who enter a property without permission. They receive limited protection, but owners cannot intentionally cause harm or act recklessly.
Comparative Negligence in Minnesota
In some situations, both the property owner and the injured party may be at fault. If the injured person is less than 51% responsible for the injury, they are still eligible to recover compensation. However, their compensation may be reduced by their percentage of fault.
Who Is Liable for Slip and Fall Accidents in Minnesota?
Liability depends on where the accident occurred. In some cases, several parties may share responsibility for an injury.
- Business and Commercial Property Owners: Malls, stores, restaurants, office buildings, and entertainment venues must keep walkways safe. If an injury occurs on their property, the business may be held liable.
- Landlords and Residential Property Owners: Landlords must maintain safe apartments, walkways, entryways, and common areas. Tenants or visitors who fall due to negligence can hold the landlord liable.
- Government Property: City-owned sidewalks, parks, or buildings are also subject to premises liability laws. However, claims against government entities have strict deadlines and procedures.
- Property Management Companies: Management companies responsible for inspections and repairs may share liability if they fail to repair a known hazard in a reasonable amount of time.
Common Injuries Resulting From Slip and Fall Accidents
Serious injuries can occur as a result of a slip and fall accidents. Some of the most common injuries include broken bones, head and brain injuries, back injuries, as well as sprains and soft tissue damage
Not all of these injuries will be immediately apparent after a slip and fall accident. For example, you may slip and fall in a grocery store and hit your head. You may get up and walk away, but symptoms of a concussion or other serious head injury may not manifest for days or even weeks later.
If you have been the victim of a slip and fall accident, getting checked for injury should be your top priority.
What Evidence Is Needed to Prove a Slip and Fall Accident?
If you’ve suffered a slip and fall accident, it is essential to collect evidence from the location where the accident occurred. Many insurance companies will try to downplay the responsibility of the property owner. If you are physically able to after your accident, gathering evidence is crucial to proving your case.
Pictures or videos of the hazard that caused your accident can go a long way towards proving liability. Even security camera footage can be useful.
Gathering eyewitness information can also be extremely helpful. If someone witnessed your fall, get their contact information so they can provide their account to support your case.
Medical records are essential to demonstrate the severity of your injury and the impact the accident has had on your personal life.
Lastly, businesses keep incident reports and maintenance logs. If the hazard has been previously documented or had other complaints made about it, these can prove negligence if the property owner did not correct the hazard in a reasonable amount of time.
What Can a Slip and Fall Lawyers Help Pursue Compensation For?
The specifics of each slip and fall case is unique, but slip and fall lawyers can help you pursue compensation in several areas.
Your medical bills, including hospital visits, rehab costs, surgeries, medications, and long-term treatments are eligible for potential recovery.
If the injury keeps you out of work for a significant amount of time, or leads to long-term disability, you may be able to recover compensation for lost wages.
Minnesota law allows slip and fall victims to seek recovery for pain and suffering, including physical pain, anxiety, difficulty sleeping and other changes to their daily life and routine.
The severity of these injuries, quality of evidence, and how the property owner handled the situation can all play a significant role in determining the total amount of compensation you may be entitled to.
How a Slip and Fall Attorney Minneapolis Trusts Can Help
If you’ve been injured, seeking help from a slip and fall attorney in Minneapolis can make a tremendous difference in how your case moves forward.
As your slip and fall accident law firm, Fields Injury Law will assist you with:
Comprehensive Case Investigation
Our legal team will gather the available evidence quickly, including eyewitness interviews and property records.
Negotiation With Insurance Companies
Insurance companies will often try to get injured parties to accept a settlement that is below fair value and may not adequately cover your medical expenses and lost wages. Our lawyers will push back hard to ensure you get fair compensation.
Managing Documentation and Deadlines
Slip and fall cases often have deadlines and paperwork requirements. Our slip and fall lawyers will ensure your paperwork is submitted on time, and that your case is kept on track.
Accurate Claim Valuation
Our Minneapolis slip and fall lawyers draw on years of experience to assess the extent of your injuries and determine a fair and proper valuation of your case.
Representation in Court
If the insurer refuses to settle for a fair and accurate valuation, Fields Injury Law is prepared to represent you as your case moves to trial.
What to Do After a Slip and Fall Accident
The way you handle the immediate aftermath of a slip and fall accident can significantly impact your case.
Below are our essential best practices for what to do after a slip and fall accident:
- Check the Scene: Identify what caused your fall and take photos of the situation. If there are witnesses, try to take their contact information.
- Report the Fall: Notify the property owner, manager, or landlord and request a written incident report from them.
- Seek Medical Care: Some injuries are immediately apparent, but others may take hours or days to manifest—particularly head injuries.
- Document Everything: Create your own written account of everything that led up to the incident. Keep copies of medical bills, receipts, and any communication with the property owners.
- Speak With a Slip and Fall Lawyer in Minneapolis: Contact Fields Injury Law for a free initial consultation. The sooner you reach out, the sooner we can protect your rights.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long do I have to file a slip and fall claim in Minnesota?
In Minnesota, you have a window of six years from the date of the incident to file a slip and fall lawsuit. However, pursuing a settlement takes time, and some premises liability cases (such as government claims) may have a shorter window—your best course of action is to seek legal counsel immediately.
What if I was partly at fault?
If you were less than 51% at fault, Minnesota law allows you to seek compensation, however your payment may be reduced by the percentage of the incident that was under your control.
Do I need to pay a lawyer upfront?
No, Fields Injury Law works on a contingency basis. That means you don’t pay unless we recover compensation for you.
What if the property owner says they didn’t know about the hazard?
Even if a property owner claims they didn’t know about the hazard, they can still be responsible if they would have been aware of the danger through a regular inspection of the premises.
Can I still file a claim even if there were no witnesses?
Yes, other evidence such as photos, videos, medical records, and maintenance logs can all support your case.
How do I find slip and fall attorneys near me?
If you’re searching for slip & fall attorneys near me, Fields Injury Law represents clients throughout Minneapolis, St. Paul, and the greater Twin Cities.
Why Choose Fields Injury Law as Your Slip and Fall Attorney in Minneapolis
Finding the right slip and fall law firm to handle your case is a significant decision—your health, your income, and your future are all at stake. The ideal partner is one who is not only an experienced legal advocate, but one who can help you navigate the personal challenges too. Fields Injury Law strikes the right balance of expertise and compassion to help our clients reach the best outcome.
- A Foundation Based in Advocacy for the Injured: Fields Injury Law was founded over two decades ago with one mission: to defend the rights of injured Minnesotans with compassion and skill.
- The Fields Injury Law Advantage: At Fields Injury Law, we don’t just represent clients—we build personal relationships that help us better pursue your case.
- A Proven Track Record of Success: Fields Injury Law has secured significant recoveries for slip and fall accident victims throughout Minneapolis, proving time and time again that we know how to win for our clients.
Even if you’re unsure whether you need a lawyer for your case, our Minneapolis slip and fall lawyers can help you understand your options and offer clear guidance and honest legal advice through a free initial consultation.
Fields Injury Law is the Minneapolis Slip and Fall Lawyer You Need to Fight for Your Rights
If you’ve suffered a slip and fall accident in the Twin Cities, it's important to seek legal help as soon as possible. The window to gather the evidence you need can quickly close, potentially leaving you without options.
Fields Injury Law offers a free initial consultation, so don’t hesitate to contact us immediately after your injury. Remember, it costs nothing to get your questions answered today, and with our Win-Win Guarantee™, you pay nothing unless we secure compensation for you.
