Minnesota Slip and Fall Accident Lawyer

Slip and fall accidents can result in serious injuries that can impact your life for months or even years. When property owners or occupiers fail to maintain safe conditions on their premises, innocent visitors can suffer devastating consequences through no fault of their own.

At Mottaz & Sisk Injury Law, we understand the toll these accidents can take on you and your family.

If you sustained injuries in a slip and fall accident, don’t wait to get legal representation. Call (763) 317-4574 today to schedule a free consultation with an experienced Minnesota slip and fall accident lawyer to explore your options for pursuing compensation.

Minnesota Slip and Fall Accident Guide

Why Choose Mottaz & Sisk Injury Law to Represent You?

best-law-firms-2021Our dedicated team of Minnesota slip and fall accident lawyers brings decades of collective experience to every case we handle.

We’ve successfully represented numerous clients who have suffered injuries due to property owner negligence, and we know what it takes to build a compelling case that maximizes your recovery.

At Mottaz & Sisk Injury Law, we understand that healthcare bills and lost income can create significant financial strain after an accident. This is why we work on contingency agreements, meaning won’t pay us a dime unless we successfully recover compensation on your behalf.

These arrangements provide peace of mind for clients who need to prioritize medical treatment and recovery while we handle the legal aspects.

We Establish Premises Liability

Proving premises liability in slip and fall cases requires demonstrating that the property owner or occupier knew or should have known about the dangerous condition that caused your accident.

We carefully investigate the circumstances surrounding your fall, collecting evidence such as surveillance footage, maintenance records, and eyewitness statements to build a strong foundation for your case.

Potentially liable parties in Minnesota slip and fall accidents may include:

  • Property owners
  • Property management companies
  • Landlords
  • Business owners
  • Contractors
  • Government entities

Building a successful premises liability case often involves working with accident reconstruction experts, safety professionals, and medical specialists who can provide testimony about how the accident occurred and the extent of your injuries. We have established relationships with qualified experts who regularly assist us in developing compelling evidence for our clients’ cases.

We Strongly Advocate for Your Rights

Insurance companies and property owners frequently attempt to minimize their liability by shifting blame to the injury victim or downplaying the severity of injuries.

Our attorneys are skilled negotiators who will protect you from unfair insurance company tactics and handle all communications on your behalf. We’re prepared to take your case to trial if necessary to secure the full compensation you deserve.

Minnesota Statute of Limitations on Slip and Fall Cases

Minnesota has strict deadlines for negligence claims. Generally, injured parties have six years to pursue justice. However, certain circumstances can dramatically shrink this deadline.

Plaintiffs with cases against municipalities or government entities in Minnesota must provide a formal notice of claim to the municipality within 180 days of the injury. Failure to meet this short deadline can permanently bar you from seeking compensation.

Waiting too long to consult a qualified attorney can jeopardize your ability to recover compensation for your injuries.

For your free consultation with an experienced Minnesota slip and fall accident lawyer, call (763) 317-4574.

At Mottaz & Sisk Injury Law, we handle all communications so you can focus on adhering to your medical treatment plan.

How Much Is a Minnesota Slip and Fall Accident Worth?

The value of a slip and fall case depends on numerous factors, including the severity of your injuries, the impact on your ability to work, and the degree of pain and suffering you’ve experienced.

Compensation in these cases typically falls into two main categories: economic damages and non-economic damages.

Our experienced attorneys work diligently to ensure that all aspects of your losses are correctly valued and included in your claim.

Economic Damages

Your economic damages are the monetary losses you’ve suffered as a direct result of your slip and fall accident. These damages are generally quantifiable because they involve actual expenses and lost income. They are documented through bills, receipts, and employment records.

However, determining the full extent of your economic damages often requires careful analysis of both your current losses and future expenses related to your injuries.

Economic damages in slip and fall cases may include:

  • Medical Expenses: Coverage for all slip and fall accident-related medical treatment, including emergency room visits, hospital stays, surgeries, diagnostic tests, prescription medications, physical therapy, and ongoing rehabilitation services. Future medical expenses are also recoverable when your injuries require long-term care or additional procedures.
  • Lost Income: Compensation for income you’ve lost due to your inability to work following your accident, calculated based on your regular earnings, overtime, bonuses, and other employment benefits. We also factor in sick leave, vacation time, and other paid time off you’ve had to use during your recovery.
  • Diminished or Loss of Earning Capacity: When injuries prevent you from returning to your previous employment or limit your ability to earn the same income in the future, you may be entitled to compensation for this reduced earning potential. We work with vocational experts and economists to project the long-term economic impact of your injuries.
  • Property Damage: If personal belongings were damaged in your fall, such as clothing, eyeglasses, or electronic devices, the cost of repair or replacement can be included in your economic damages. While these amounts may seem small compared to medical expenses, every dollar of loss should be accounted for in your claim.

Calculating economic damages requires careful documentation and often involves projecting future expenses based on medical testimony and expert analysis. We work alongside medical professionals, vocational rehabilitation specialists, and economic experts to overlook no aspect of your financial losses. Your claim is all-inclusive when we present it to the insurance company or in court.

Non-Economic Damages

Your non-economic damages reflect the physical and emotional suffering you’ve endured as a result of your slip and fall accident.

While these damages don’t have receipts or bills to document their value, they represent very real consequences that significantly impact your quality of life. Accident victims are entitled to compensation for these intangible losses.

Non-economic damages in slip and fall cases may include:

  • Pain and Suffering: Compensation for the physical discomfort, chronic pain, and emotional distress you’ve experienced since your accident, both during your initial recovery and for any ongoing symptoms that may persist. We document your pain levels through medical records, pain journals, and testimony from family members who have witnessed your struggles.
  • Loss of Enjoyment of Life: When your injuries prevent you from participating in activities you previously enjoyed, such as sports, hobbies, travel, or social gatherings, you deserve compensation for these lost opportunities. We help quantify the impact of your accident on your ability to find joy and fulfillment in daily activities.
  • Emotional Distress: Many slip and fall victims experience anxiety, depression, fear of falling again, or other psychological symptoms following their accident, particularly if the fall was traumatic or resulted in severe injuries. Mental health treatment and the ongoing impact of emotional trauma are legitimate components of your damages.
  • Loss of Consortium: When your injuries affect your relationship with your spouse or family members, including your ability to provide companionship, affection, and support, your loved ones may also be entitled to compensation for their losses. We assess the impact of your accident on your most important relationships.

Determining the value of non-economic damages requires a comprehensive understanding of how your injuries have affected every aspect of your life. We take the time to learn about who you were before your accident and how your life has changed since then, ensuring that the insurance company or jury understands the full magnitude of your losses.

Punitive Damages

While most slip and fall cases focus on compensatory damages that address your actual losses, punitive damages may be available in cases involving particularly egregious conduct by the property owner. Punitive damages are designed to punish defendants for willful, wanton, or malicious behavior and to deter similar conduct in the future.

In Minnesota, punitive damages are awarded only in cases where the defendant’s actions were so reckless or intentional that they warrant additional punishment beyond simple compensation for the victim’s losses. Examples might include a property owner who knowingly allowed hazardous conditions to persist despite repeated warnings or who deliberately concealed hazards from visitors to avoid the cost of repairs.

Wrongful Death Benefits in Minnesota

When a slip and fall accident results in a fatality, surviving family members may pursue a wrongful death claim against the responsible party.

Minnesota’s wrongful death statute allows a trustee, typically a spouse or next of kin, to recover compensation for their economic losses, including the deceased person’s lost earning capacity and funeral expenses, as well as non-economic damages for the loss of companionship, guidance, and support.

Wrongful death cases require sensitive handling and thorough investigation to establish liability while providing compassionate support to grieving families.

At Mottaz & Sisk Injury Law, we have experience representing families in these tragic situations and understand the importance of holding negligent property owners accountable while helping survivors secure the necessary financial resources to move forward.

Common Injuries in Minnesota Slip and Fall Accidents

Jerry SiskSlip and fall accidents can result in minor to catastrophic injuries. The severity of injuries often depends on factors such as the height of the fall, the surface on which the person lands, their age and physical condition, and whether they were able to break their fall.

Even seemingly minor falls can sometimes result in severe injuries, particularly for older adults or individuals with pre-existing health conditions.

Common slip and fall injuries include:

  • Traumatic brain injuries from head impacts during falls
  • Spinal cord injuries can result in partial or complete paralysis
  • Hip fractures are prevalent and serious in elderly victims
  • Broken bones in arms, legs, wrists, and ankles from attempting to break falls
  • Soft tissue injuries, including sprains and torn ligaments
  • Back injuries range from muscle strains to herniated discs
  • Shoulder injuries, such as rotator cuff tears and dislocations
  • Cuts and lacerations from sharp objects or rough surfaces

Many slip and fall injuries require immediate medical attention, and some may not become apparent until hours or days after the accident occurs.

Slip and fall victims should seek medical evaluation promptly after a fall, even if they initially feel fine, because delayed diagnosis can complicate both medical treatment and legal claims. Proper medical documentation establishes a connection between your accident and the resulting injuries.

We Fight to Secure Maximum Compensation

Slip and fall injury victims cannot depend on insurance companies to pay fair settlements without a trusted Minnesota slip and fall accident lawyer. They count on unrepresented victims to accept the first lowball offers without negotiating for the full value of their claim.

Our attorneys provide a protective barrier between accident victims who need to focus on recovery and insurance adjusters who want to settle quickly.

We have extensive experience negotiating with insurance adjusters who use various tactics to minimize payouts. We’re well-versed in these strategies, and we’re prepared to counter them with compelling evidence and aggressive advocacy.

When insurance companies refuse to offer reasonable settlements that adequately compensate our clients for their losses, we don’t hesitate to take cases to trial.

Our award-winning trial attorneys have a proven track record of success in the courtroom, and insurance companies know that we’re prepared to present your case to a jury if necessary. Knowing this motivates insurers to pay more reasonable settlement amounts to avoid costly litigation.

Frequently Asked Questions About Minnesota Slip and Fall Claims

What is the first thing I should do if I am injured in a slip and fall accident?

Your first priority is your health. Seek immediate medical attention, even if you feel your injuries are minor.

Then, if possible, take these steps:

  1. Report the incident to the property owner, manager, or an employee. Ask for a copy of the written incident report.
  2. Document the scene by taking photos or videos of the hazard that caused your fall before anyone cleans or repairs it.
  3. Get contact information from any witnesses.
  4. Preserve your clothing and shoes worn during the fall as they may provide important evidence.

Do not give a recorded statement to the property owner’s insurance company before speaking with an attorney.

What if the property owner claims I was clumsy or at fault for my own fall?

This is a common defense tactic. Minnesota follows a “modified comparative fault” rule. This means you can still recover damages as long as you are 50% or less at fault for the accident.

If you are partially at fault, your compensation will decrease by your percentage of fault.

Our job is to build a case that minimizes any blame shifted to you and demonstrates the property owner’s primary responsibility.

What does the legal process for a slip and fall claim look like?

Every case differs, but the process generally involves:

  1. Initial Consultation: A free meeting to discuss your case.
  2. Investigation: We gather evidence, interview witnesses, and establish liability.
  3. Demand Package: We send a formal demand for compensation to the insurance company.
  4. Negotiation: We negotiate for a fair settlement on your behalf.
  5. Litigation: If a fair settlement cannot be reached, we file a lawsuit and prepare your case for trial. Most cases settle before trial, but we prepare every case as if it will go before a jury.
I heard about case expenses. What are those and do I pay them upfront?

No, you do not pay case expenses upfront. Like our attorney fees, our firm advances them.

Case expenses are the costs required to build your case, such as court filing fees, expert witness fees (for medical or safety experts), and costs for obtaining medical records. We will discuss all potential expenses with you transparently.

Speak to a Trusted Minnesota Slip and Fall Lawyer Today

best-lawyers-jerry-sisk-2021Don’t delay seeking legal counsel. Time is of the essence in protecting your legal rights and building a strong evidence-backed case.

Property owners and insurance companies often work quickly to minimize evidence and reduce their liability, which is why it’s imperative to have an experienced attorney on your side from the very beginning.

At Mottaz & Sisk Injury Law, we’re ready to begin investigating your accident immediately, preserving critical evidence, and fighting for the full compensation of your claim.

Don’t let medical bills and lost income create additional stress during your recovery—call (763) 317-4574 today for your free consultation with a dedicated Minnesota personal injury lawyer who will put your interests first and work relentlessly to secure the best possible outcome for your premises liability case.

Mottaz & Sisk Injury Law – Minnesota Office

Address: 3340 Northdale Blvd NW Ste 140
Coon Rapids, MN 55448
Contact No: (763) 314-1112