Proving a Slip and Fall Claim in Massachusetts
Proving a slip and fall claim requires a thorough understanding of what caused the fall and knowledge of the applicable law. Here, we will discuss the law on slip and fall claims.
What You Have To Prove
Owners: You must prove who owned or controlled the property at the time of the slip and fall.
Duty: A landowner or person in control of property must act as a reasonable person in maintaining his property in a reasonably safe condition in view of all the circumstances such as:
- the likelihood of injury to others
- the potential seriousness of injury
- the burden or cost of avoiding the risk
Defect: You must prove that there was a defect on the premises and that the defect was the proximate cause of your fall.
Negligence: Proving that there was a defect on the premises is not enough. A landowner is not an insurer. In order to prove your slip and fall claim, you must also show that the landowner knew or should have known of the defect, had a chance to remedy the defect and failed to do so.
Violation of Statute: A violation of a statue, code, or ordinance may be evidence of negligence (i.e. the violation of a building code).
Damages: You must evidence that you suffered injury or harm and that the owner’s negligence was a proximate cause of your injury or harm.
Different Causes
It may be important to know some of the different causes of slip and fall injuries in order to determine the applicable law and whether notifying the owner of the slip and fall is required.
Investigation
Your slip and fall attorney must conduct a comprehensive investigation concerning the circumstances of your fall, research the applicable law, and determine whether you have a viable claim. The investigation should include determining who owned or controlled the area where you fell, photos of the defect that caused you to fall, and, if applicable, measurements of the defect and speaking to any witnesses.
Free Consult
Contact Attorney Bob Allison if you were injured in a slip and fall accident. You may contact him at 978-740-9433 or filling out our online contact form. We will set up a free consultation with you to discuss your case.