Most everyone has fallen at some point due to their own carelessness. However, there’s a big difference between falling because of something you did versus falling because of a property owner’s negligence.
As a major metropolitan area, Omaha has numerous shops, restaurants, and other public establishments, as well as miles of public sidewalks and walkways. Property owners must ensure their premises are safe for visitors.
If you slipped and fell at any of these locations and suffered injuries, you may qualify to receive financial compensation for your injuries and losses. However, you need an experienced Omaha slip and fall lawyer for help.
The legal team at Steffens Law Offices in Omaha has more than 25 years of experience helping seriously injured people just like you throughout Nebraska heal from their injuries and receive full compensation from those responsible. Contact our law office for a free consultation on how we can help you obtain the full and fair compensation you deserve.
5 Reasons Why You Should Hire Our Omaha Slip and Fall Attorneys
Situations where a person has suffered serious injury because of a dangerous condition on another’s business or property can be tricky. Most people don’t realize that a whole body of law exists in Nebraska expressly dedicated to these situations. It seems simple: you fell and suffered an injury because of a slippery floor, icy entrance, broken handrail, or some other poorly maintained condition. But the reality is far more complex.
Often even obtaining the right medical care for your injuries can be daunting, let alone your lost wages, pain and suffering, and future therapy needs. Here are just a few of the areas that our Omaha slip and fall lawyer can make all the difference:
1) Facing the Insurance Company: Insurance companies serve a useful purpose in modern society. Whether for a home, business, vehicle, or another purpose, they “insure” others against unforeseen losses, damages, or liability. Essentially, a business pays the insurance premiums, and the insurance company then guarantees to pay for losses from injury and other expenses a person might incur from an accident on the premises. If only it was this easy.
In reality, insurance companies are profit machines that collect those premiums over years and years and invest the money for the benefit of shareholders and principles. When an injury claim is made against a business, the insurance company who wrote the business’ policy does everything it its power to keep those profits by avoiding liability.
Make no mistake, the insurance company on the other side of your case will not see you as a poor, unfortunate, injured victim; rather, its adjusters, investigators, medical professionals, and attorneys are united in one goal - to deny, avoid or significantly reduce paying you compensation. The company has nearly unlimited resources and vast experience in this regard – think of it this way, if it wasn’t successful at avoiding paying damages to injured victims, it would probably not be in business long.
Fortunately, we can help. The attorneys at Steffens Law Offices in Omaha know all the insurance company’s methods, we beat them at their games, and force them to pay our clients full compensation over and over again. We know which facts insurance companies look for, what arguments work best in different situations, and when necessary, whether to take them to court. The other side has experts working for them, shouldn’t you as well?
2) Obtaining Medical Care: This may seem like a no-brainer, but time after time, people don’t fully appreciate how important obtaining full medical treatment is, both for their health and for their case. Being seriously hurt is no picnic: the pain is intense, the bills are piling up, and you may be inclined to stop treatment or therapy to get back to work. The truth is, though, that if you don’t obtain all the medical care you need, in the long run, it may hurt you worse than a few months of missed work.
Steffens Law Offices of Omaha will assist with all aspects of your medical treatment plan. Not only can we ensure that you receive the best and most comprehensive care, but we will negotiate with your medical providers directly so that you pay less for it than you otherwise would.
3) Compensation for Wage Loss: When you are forced to miss work because of an injury, it can be frustrating. Steffens Law Offices in Omaha will help you calculate your wages lost, paid time off used or missed, vacation accrual, and other forms of employment-related income that you lose related to your injury and recovery.
We will work directly with your employer whenever possible to obtain necessary records and seek the correct documentation from your doctor or other medical professional to support your claim for lost income against the insurance company.
4) Legal Theory and Argument: Where did you fall? What caused the fall? Was it ice, faulty stairs, or broken concrete? Did a spill in the produce section of a store cause your fall? Who owned the property? How severely were you injured? How long was the dangerous condition present? Did the business create the condition or was it merely aware? Was it a design defect or an employee mistake? Answering these and many other relevant questions are critical to developing any injury case where a victim was hurt on another’s land or business.
Choosing the right attorney or law firm with the experience necessary to not only advance the best arguments for liability, but also to anticipate those arguments the insurance company will likely make and then defeat them, is vital. With nearly one thousand personal injury cases settled for our clients, Steffens Law Offices and its attorneys have seen almost every situation imaginable in and around Omaha. Whether your case is resolved prior to litigation, in mediation, or at trial, Steffens Law Offices will gather the evidence necessary to make bulletproof legal arguments, and then use them to obtain full compensation for you.
5) Negotiation: After you reach maximum medical improvement and recover from your injuries, your attorney will be able to send a demand for compensation to the insurance company or other party responsible for your damages and begin to negotiate for your compensation. The insurance adjuster on the other side is a professional who knows how to poke holes in your claim and will work hard to reduce your recovery. Prior injuries, unclear liability, and lack of medical treatment or gaps in treatment can certainly impair the strength of your claim.
The legal team at Steffens Law Offices in Omaha understands how to highlight the strengths of your matter and thereby advance the best demand possible for full compensation. Steffens Law has obtained significant cash compensation from every major insurance carrier in Nebraska and nationwide, so we know the ins and outs of negotiating with insurance companies.
We will investigate all aspects of your case, including visiting the scene, examining every one of your medical records, and obtaining any law enforcement reports of the area or similar accidents at the location. None of these things are necessary or required, but we do them anyway to ensure you obtain maximum compensation for your injuries. This is the Steffens Law way.
What Causes Slip and Fall Accidents in Omaha?
Slip and fall accidents can occur for various reasons in Omaha, including:
- Weather Conditions: Ice, snow, rain, or sleet can create slippery surfaces, increasing the risk of slip and fall accidents. Omaha experiences various weather conditions throughout the year, including winter snow and occasional rain, which can contribute to hazardous conditions.
- Uneven Surfaces: Uneven or poorly maintained walking surfaces, such as cracked sidewalks, potholes, or uneven flooring, can pose a tripping hazard.
- Wet Floors: Spills, leaks, or recently cleaned floors without proper warning signs can lead to slippery surfaces, making it easy for individuals to lose their footing.
- Lack of Warning Signs: In areas where there is a potential hazard, such as a wet floor or uneven surface, the lack of warning signs can contribute to slip and fall accidents.
- Inadequate Lighting: Poorly lit areas increase the risk of slips and falls, as individuals may not be able to see potential hazards on the walking surface.
- Defective Stairs or Handrails: Staircases with defects, such as broken steps or missing handrails, can lead to falls, especially in places with multi-level structures.
- Cluttered Walkways: Cluttered or obstructed walkways in public places or private properties can lead to tripping hazards.
- Inadequate Maintenance: Lack of regular maintenance and timely repairs in buildings, parking lots, and public areas can contribute to the deterioration of walking surfaces, increasing the risk of accidents.
- Property Owner Negligence: Negligence on the part of property owners, business operators, or municipalities in addressing known hazards can contribute to slip and fall accidents.
- Improper Training or Supervision: In workplaces, inadequate training on safety measures or lack of supervision can contribute to slip and fall incidents.
Liability in slip and fall cases often depends on the specific circumstances of each incident. You may hold property owners, businesses, or other responsible parties liable if their negligence contributed to the accident. If you suffered injuries in a slip and fall accident in Omaha, seek the advice of an experienced Omaha personal injury attorney from Steffens Law Offices who can help you understand your rights and options for pursuing compensation.
How to Properly Document Your Injuries After a Slip, Trip, or Fall Accident in Omaha
Properly documenting your injuries after a slip, trip, or fall accident in Omaha is crucial for building a strong case if you decide to pursue a personal injury claim. In the video above, attorney Bill Steffens, lead attorney at Steffens Law Offices, discusses the importance of documenting your injuries by keeping a daily journal.
You should jot down your daily experiences, pain levels, and any challenges you face due to your injuries. This can serve as a personal account of your physical and emotional well-being, which may be useful in building your case.
Other steps you can take to document your injuries effectively include:
- Seeking Immediate Medical Attention: Your health and safety should be the top priority. Seek medical attention as soon as possible, even if your injuries seem minor. Prompt medical care not only ensures your well-being but also creates a record of your injuries.
- Follow Medical Advice: Adhere to your healthcare provider's instructions and attend all follow-up appointments. This will help establish a clear medical record of your injuries and demonstrate your commitment to your recovery.
- Take Photographs: Document visible injuries by taking clear photographs. Focus on bruises, cuts, swelling, or any other visible signs of injury. Make sure to take pictures from different angles and distances for a comprehensive record.
- Save Medical Records: Keep copies of all medical records, including doctor's notes, test results, treatment plans, and bills. These documents provide evidence of the extent and nature of your injuries.
- Preserve Physical Evidence: If the slip and fall accident damages your clothing or other personal items, keep them as evidence. They may serve as proof of the severity of the fall.
- Obtain Witness Statements: If there were witnesses to the accident, try to obtain their contact information and ask them for statements describing what they saw. Witness statements can be valuable in establishing the circumstances surrounding the incident.
- Report the Incident: Report the slip, trip, or fall incident to the property owner, manager, or relevant authority. Ensure that a written report is filed and request a copy for your records.
- Document Hazardous Conditions: If possible, take note of any hazardous conditions that may have contributed to the accident. This could include spills, uneven surfaces, poor lighting, or other factors.
Remember that the effectiveness of your personal injury claim often depends on the quality and thoroughness of your documentation. Consulting a legal professional can ensure that you take the right steps and gather the necessary evidence to support your case. A lawyer can also help you obtain evidence and document your injuries to determine fair compensation.
The Types of Compensation You Can Receive in an Omaha Slip and Fall Accident Lawsuit
Although no two cases are alike and every case will always present a unique set of facts and circumstances, the following list will provide an idea of the types of compensation you can expect to recover when negotiating a settlement for a slip and fall accident:
- Emergency Transport Bills
- Emergency Room Care
- Hospital Bills
- Surgery Expenses
- Lost Wages
- Pain and Suffering
- Future Medical Care
- Loss of Consortium
- Home Alterations
To find out which of the above or other forms of compensation you may be entitled to, it’s best to contact the attorneys at Steffens Law Offices of Omaha. We are always here to answer your questions, and you can speak to an attorney free of charge to gain a better understanding of your rights and options for seeking compensation.
How to Find the Best Slip and Fall Lawyer in Omaha
Finding the best slip and fall lawyer in Omaha, NE, can be tricky, but it doesn't have to be. There are certain things you can do to ensure the process goes smoothly.
- Turn to those you trust the most. Friends and family recommendations are a great place to start. After all, if someone you trust had a good (or bad) experience with an attorney, hearing it from them can help weed out some of the better options.
- Read reviews. After turning to friends and family, the next thing you should do is read actual reviews from previous clients. While an attorney's website likely has some hand-chosen reviews, digging into a firm's Google My Business profile will give you an uncurated list from actual sources.
- Do some internet digging. Most reputable attorneys have either been recognized with some awards or accolades. or at the very least, have legal profiles across the world wide web that show experience or have referrals from other attorneys. Websites like AVVO, Super Lawyers, and Justia can be a major help when looking for the best slip and fall attorney in Omaha.
- Schedule a free consultation. Not only do most personal injury lawyers work on a contingency fee basis (meaning they don't get paid unless you get paid), but almost all of them offer a free consultation. This is a great time to ask lots of questions and get to know an attorney. After all, feeling comfortable with the person representing you can have a major impact.
When Should You Hire an Omaha Slip and Fall Lawyer?
The sooner the better. While the statute of limitations in Nebraska is four years from the time the accident occurred, lots of things can happen over that time period that can make your case more difficult to prove. As time passes, evidence can become harder to obtain or disappear altogether.
Contact an experienced Omaha slip and fall lawyer as soon as possible after you receive medical treatment for your injuries.
Contact Steffens Law Offices Today for a Free Case Evaluation
Our Omaha slip and fall accident attorney is ready to speak to you right now about all aspects of your case. We'll listen to you and treat you like family. If we agree to work together, our team will represent you without any charge until we settle your case. If you prefer, we will come to you to spend the necessary time to meet you in person and learn about your situation.
Our attorneys were born to fight the insurance companies and are ready to win. No matter where you were injured or who might be responsible, Steffens Law Offices will not rest until you receive full compensation for all you have lost.
Contact Steffens Law Offices Today – We’ll Treat You Like Family – (402) 414-4896.