Lafayette Slip and Fall Attorneys
Representing the Injured in Lafayette, West Lafayette, and Throughout Indiana
When you walk into a store, restaurant, or onto someone else’s property, you expect that the owner has taken the necessary steps to ensure your safety. Unfortunately, that is not always the case. In fact, slip and fall accidents are one of the leading causes of unintentional injuries in the United States. These accidents can result in serious injuries, leaving victims to face mounting medical bills, lost wages, and more.
If you or someone you love was injured in a slip and fall accident, you may be entitled to compensation. At Hovde Dassow + Deets, our Lafayette slip and fall lawyers can help you fight for the justice you are owed. We understand the physical, emotional, and financial toll such accidents can take, which is why we are committed to providing compassionate, personalized legal guidance every step of the way. Backed by decades of experience, our team can help you navigate the legal process as we work to recover the maximum compensation you are owed.
Call our office today at (317) 576-3241 or submit an online contact form to request a consultation with one of our experienced slip and fall attorneys in Lafayette.
What to Do After a Slip and Fall in Lafayette
It is important that you take the right steps after a slip and fall accident to protect your health and your right to recover compensation. If you are physically able to do so, there are several things you should try to do after a slip and fall:
- Report the Accident: If you were injured in a slip and fall accident at a business, such as a restaurant or store, you should report the accident to the manager or property owner. Be sure to ask for a copy of the accident report.
- Seek Medical Attention: Even if you do not think you were seriously injured, you should still see a doctor as soon as possible. Some slip and fall injuries, such as traumatic brain injuries (TBIs) or internal organ damage, may not have immediately apparent symptoms. Seeing a doctor right away can help ensure that you receive the necessary treatment.
- Document the Accident Scene: If you are able to do so, take pictures of the accident scene, including any hazards that caused you to slip and fall, your injuries, and the area around you.
- Collect Evidence: If there were any witnesses to the accident, be sure to get their names and contact information. Additionally, you should try to document what happened and how the accident occurred as soon as you can while the details are still fresh in your mind.
- Do Not Give a Statement to the Insurance Company: After the accident, you may be contacted by the property owner’s insurance company. They may ask you to provide a statement about what happened or ask you to sign a medical release form. You should not do either of these things, as the insurance company is not on your side. Instead, let our Lafayette slip and fall lawyers handle all communication with the insurance company on your behalf.
Proving Negligence in a Lafayette Slip and Fall Case
In order to recover compensation in a slip and fall case, you will need to prove that the property owner was negligent. This means that you must show that he or she failed to take reasonable steps to ensure your safety and that this failure is what caused you to slip and fall.
Some examples of negligence in a slip and fall case include:
- Failing to clean up a spill in a reasonable amount of time
- Failing to put up a “wet floor” sign
- Failing to repair a broken handrail
- Failing to maintain safe premises
- Failing to remove hazards from the property
Proving negligence in a slip and fall case can be difficult, but it is not impossible. At Hovde Dassow + Deets, our Lafayette slip and fall attorneys can help you gather the evidence you need to prove liability, such as surveillance footage, witness statements, and more. We can also help you calculate the full value of your damages so that you can seek fair compensation.
Compensation for Slip and Fall Accidents in Lafayette
If you were injured in a slip and fall accident, you may be entitled to compensation for your medical bills, lost wages, and other damages. In Indiana, slip and fall accident victims have two years from the date of the accident to file a personal injury lawsuit against the at-fault party. While this may seem like a long time, it can go by quickly, especially if you are focused on recovering from your injuries. That is why it is so important to contact our slip and fall attorneys in Lafayette as soon as possible after an accident. We can help you file all necessary paperwork in a timely manner and ensure that you meet all deadlines in your case.
At Hovde Dassow + Deets, we fight tirelessly to recover full and fair compensation for our clients, including compensation for:
- Medical expenses
- Lost wages
- Loss of earning capacity
- Pain and suffering
- Disability
- Disfigurement
- Mental anguish
- Loss of enjoyment of life
Our Lafayette slip and fall lawyers can help you understand your legal options and work to hold the at-fault party accountable. We are proud to offer compassionate, client-focused representation and always strive to provide the highest level of service possible.
Common Injuries from Slip and Falls in Lafayette
Slip and fall accidents can result in a variety of serious injuries. In some cases, these injuries can be life-threatening. If you were injured in a slip and fall accident that was not your fault, you should contact our Lafayette slip and fall attorneys as soon as possible. We can help you understand your legal options and work to hold the at-fault party accountable.
Some of the most common slip and fall injuries include:
- Broken Bones: When you slip and fall, you may try to brace yourself with your hands or arms. This can cause you to suffer broken bones or fractures, which can be extremely painful and may require surgery to fix.
- Back and Spinal Cord Injuries: The impact of a slip and fall can cause you to suffer serious back or spinal cord injuries. These injuries can be life-changing, resulting in partial or total paralysis, loss of sensation, and more.
- Head and Brain Injuries: When you slip and fall, you may hit your head on the ground or on another object. This can cause you to suffer a traumatic brain injury (TBI), which can result in permanent brain damage, cognitive impairments, and more.
- Soft Tissue Injuries: Slip and fall accidents can also result in soft tissue injuries, such as sprains, strains, and torn ligaments. While these injuries may not be as serious as others, they can still be extremely painful and may require ongoing medical treatment.
- Hip Fractures: When you slip and fall, you may land directly on your hip. This can cause you to suffer a hip fracture, which can be extremely painful and may require surgery to fix. In some cases, a hip fracture can be life-threatening, especially in elderly individuals.
How to Choose a Slip and Fall Lawyer in Lafayette
When it comes to choosing a slip and fall lawyer in Lafayette, it is important to do your research. You want to make sure that you are working with an experienced attorney who has a track record of success in these types of cases. At Hovde Dassow + Deets, we have been representing the injured.
When you choose our firm, you can expect:
- Personal Attention: We are a small firm, which means that we are able to offer each and every one of our clients the individualized attention and personalized legal services they deserve. You will work directly with an attorney throughout your case, and we are always available to answer your questions and address your concerns.
- Compassionate Counsel: We understand that slip and fall accidents can result in serious injuries and leave victims facing a great deal of uncertainty. That is why we are committed to providing compassionate, client-focused representation every step of the way. We will work closely with you to understand your unique goals and needs, and we will fight tirelessly to help you obtain a favorable resolution to your case.
- Proven Results: Our Lafayette slip and fall lawyers have an extensive track record of success. We have recovered millions of dollars for our clients, and we are prepared to put our experience and skills to work for you.
At Hovde Dassow + Deets, we are proud to offer our services on a contingency fee basis. This means that you do not owe any upfront or out-of-pocket costs, and you only pay if we win your case. If we do not recover compensation for you, you do not pay.
Our team is ready to fight for you. Contact us today at (317) 576-3241 to schedule your consultation.
Hear From Our Happy Clients
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"We give Nick Deets & Hovde Dassow + Deets our highest recommendation."
We were facing a potential medical malpractice claim and didn't know what path to follow. With great legal guidance, we were referred to Nick Deets of Hovde Dassow + Deets. From our very first meeting with Mr. Deets, we felt comfortable knowing that he and his competent staff were leading us through this journey. Nick kept us informed every step of the way, telling us what we needed to know when we needed to know it. He worked diligently and professionally on our behalf and in the end, we were blessed with a great result and settlement. We will be forever grateful to Nick for making our lives a little easier. We are thankful for such a great advocate. We give Nick and his law firm of Hovde Dassow + Deets our highest recommendation.- Michael W. -
"We wouldn’t consider using any other attorneys."
Nick Deets has done a wonderful job representing myself as well as two of my daughters in personal injury accidents. We wouldn’t consider using any other attorney. He’s the best of the best. We recommend him to anyone we know who is looking for a personal injury attorney.- Elaine K. -
"Mr. Hovde and his staff were stellar in the way they handled our case!"
Mr. Rick Hovde was recommended to us by our personal attorney and a customer of ours with our family business. Mr. Hovde was also featured as one of the top 3 personal injury attorneys on the front of the Indianapolis Monthly publication. A few years back, I suffered the personal loss of my wife due to what I believe was medical malpractice. Mr. Hovde and his staff were stellar in the way they handled our case! Winning a medical malpractice case is no easy task, but he won ours. In my opinion, he is the best at what he does. I appreciated his attention to detail and was very impressed with his resolve to do the best job possible for a favorable outcome. I would strongly recommend Rick Hovde to anyone needing a great malpractice attorney.- LSC -
"We wanted to say thanks to Nick and the staff of Hovde Dassow + Deets for the excellent work you did as our attorney."
We wanted to say thanks to Nick and the staff of Hovde Dassow + Deets for the excellent work you did as our attorney. We know you have a lot of clients and some cases much larger than ours but you gave us equal time and treatment, you were always there for us, we really appreciate your professionalism, passion and dedication and were very pleased with the mediation and the settlement.- Dennis F.