Slip and Fall Accidents: What You Need to Know
If you slipped and fell in a store, office, apartment, or parking lot, you may be hurting and worried about bills, work, and what comes next. The attorneys at Loyd J Bourgeois Injury & Accident Lawyer (LJBLegal) are here to guide you, explain your options, and protect your rights with care and experience.
In Louisiana, property owners must keep their spaces reasonably safe. When hazards are ignored and someone gets hurt, the injured person may recover for losses. Speaking with a Louisiana premises liability lawyer can help you understand the process and feel confident about your next steps.
What Should You Do Right After a Fall?
After a fall, seek immediate medical care, then report the incident to a manager and request a written report. Document the scene with photos or video, gather witness contacts, and preserve your clothing. Ask the manager to save surveillance footage, and avoid giving insurer statements before speaking with a legal professional.
- Get medical care as soon as you can. Your health comes first.
- Report the incident to a manager or owner and ask for a written report.
- Take photos or short video of the area, the hazard, and your injuries.
- Collect names and contact information for witnesses.
- Save the shoes and clothing you wore in a safe place.
- Politely ask the manager to preserve any surveillance video.
- Do not give a recorded statement to an insurer before you speak with our team.
Surveillance systems can record over footage in a short time. Quick action helps protect key evidence.
What Injuries Are Common After a Slip and Fall?
Common slip and fall injuries include broken bones (especially wrists, ankles, and hips), sprains, strains, soft tissue injuries, and concussions. More serious cases may involve spinal cord damage, nerve injury, or joint dislocations such as in the shoulder. Injury severity often depends on how and where the fall occurred.
- Broken bones, including wrist, ankle, or hip
- Head injuries, including concussion
- Back and neck injuries, including herniated discs
- Sprains, strains, cuts, and bruises
How Can a Fall Affect Your Emotional Health?
A fall can impact emotional health by causing anxiety, depression, or PTSD. Victims may fear falling again, avoid daily activities, or struggle with concentration. These effects can reduce independence and overall quality of life, especially when combined with physical injuries and prolonged recovery.
- Anxiety about walking in certain places
- Sleep trouble or recurring worry about falling again
- Low mood during a long recovery
- Loss of confidence in daily activities
We take both physical and emotional harm seriously. Your story matters, and we will make sure it is part of your claim.
How Does Louisiana Premises Liability Law Work?
Louisiana law requires owners and those in control of property to act with reasonable care. Under Louisiana Civil Code articles 2317 and 2317.1, a person can be responsible for damage caused by things in their care if they knew, or should have known, of a defect and failed to fix it. Merchants have added duties under La. R.S. 9:2800.6 to keep aisles, passageways, and floors reasonably safe.
What Do You Need To Prove?
To have a valid slip and fall case in Louisiana, you must prove a hazardous condition existed, the property owner knew or should have known about it, the condition directly caused your fall and injuries, and you suffered damages such as medical expenses, lost wages, or pain and suffering.
- A dangerous condition existed.
- The owner created it or knew about it, or should have known with reasonable inspections.
- The condition caused your fall and your injuries.
- You suffered losses, such as medical bills, lost income, and pain.
How Does Fault Affect Your Recovery?
Fault affects your compensation by reducing it according to your percentage of blame. If you’re partially at fault, your payout decreases proportionally. Insurance companies often try to shift blame to avoid paying, so strong evidence and legal representation are key to protecting your rights and maximizing your recovery.
- Before January 1, 2026: Louisiana uses pure comparative fault. Your recovery is reduced by your percentage of fault.
- On or after January 1, 2026: Louisiana uses modified comparative fault with a 51 percent bar. If you are 51 percent or more at fault, you cannot recover. If you are less than 51 percent at fault, your recovery is reduced by your percentage.
Insurers often try to put most of the blame on you. Clear evidence, including photos and video, protects your recovery.
How Long Do You Have To File for a Slip and Fall?
For injuries on or after July 1, 2024, you have two years to file a slip and fall lawsuit. But you should act quickly to preserve evidence, protect your rights, and ensure access to key records and witnesses.
What Compensation Can You Seek for a Slip and Fall Injury?
You can seek compensation for medical expenses, lost income, reduced earning capacity, pain and suffering, and loss of enjoyment of life. Additional damages may include out-of-pocket costs and property damage related to the fall.
- Medical costs, including emergency care, therapy, and future treatment
- Lost income and reduced earning ability
- Pain, suffering, and loss of enjoyment of life
- Out of pocket expenses and property damage
What Factors Influence Value?
- Severity and duration of injuries
- Quality of evidence, including video and incident reports
- Proof of the owner’s knowledge or constructive notice
- Your share of fault under Louisiana rules
- How the injuries affect work and daily life
Past settlements can help set expectations, but each case is unique. We focus on your facts and your recovery.
How Do LJBLegal Attorneys Build Your Case?
To prove a slip and fall case, our attorneys focus on gathering clear, convincing evidence that shows exactly how the hazard caused your injuries and why the property owner should be held responsible. Every detail matters, from the condition of the floor to the timing of inspections and the actions of employees.
Investigation and Evidence
- Send preservation letters to protect video and records
- Gather photos, surveillance footage, incident reports, and witness statements
- Work with your medical providers and, when needed, outside experts
- Map a clear timeline to show how long the danger existed and how the fall occurred
Negotiation and, If Needed, Trial
- Prepare a detailed demand with proof of fault, injury, and losses
- Negotiate firmly with the insurer using facts and law
- If needed, file suit and present your case in court
You may not need to sue. Many cases settle once the insurer sees solid proof. If it must go to court, you will want a team that knows how to fight the right way.
We DO THE RIGHT THING
The correct choice – always – is to do the right thing.
FREE Confidential Case Review (985) 240-9773Real Case Result: French Quarter Hotel Slip And Fall Case Result Shows Why Detailed Investigation Matters
A guest staying at a hotel in New Orleans’ French Quarter suffered serious injuries after slipping on standing water inside his hotel room. What should have been a normal stay quickly turned into months of medical treatment, pain, and long-term physical problems that affected many parts of his life.
Before hiring Loyd J Bourgeois Injury & Accident Lawyer, the injured man had already been told by another large law firm that his case was not worth pursuing. After taking a closer look at the facts, our team believed there were important questions about how the dangerous condition developed and whether the hotel failed to protect guests from known hazards.
Slip and fall cases often require more than simply proving someone fell. Property owners and insurance companies frequently argue the condition was obvious, temporary, or unknown to management. In this case, our attorneys focused on gathering evidence related to the hotel’s inspection procedures, maintenance practices, and response to previously reported water hazards inside the property.
As litigation continued, we prepared the case for trial by reviewing records, developing evidence, and building a clear picture of how the incident occurred and how the injuries impacted our client’s life. Shortly before the scheduled trial date, the case resolved during mediation for a $2 million settlement.
Every Louisiana slip and fall case involves different facts, injuries, and legal issues. Past results do not guarantee future outcomes. Still, this case highlights the importance of having a Louisiana slip and fall lawyer willing to fully investigate the claim, challenge the insurance company’s position, and prepare the case as though it may ultimately need to be decided in court.
Insurance companies often look for ways to minimize slip and fall claims or shift blame onto the injured person. Having an experienced Louisiana slip and fall lawyer can help level the playing field and ensure the facts are properly investigated and presented.
We ARE TRANSPARENT
We don’t play games and we don’t hide the ball.
FREE Confidential Case Review (985) 240-9773Why Choose LJBLegal For Your Louisiana Slip And Fall Injury Case?
Slip and fall accidents can leave people with painful injuries, unexpected medical bills, and questions about what happened. Property owners and insurance companies often try to blame the injured person or argue the hazard was “open and obvious.” At Loyd J Bourgeois Injury & Accident Lawyer, we work to uncover the truth and help injured people across Louisiana protect their rights.
- Client-first service: We treat people with care, respect, and personal attention. You are not just another claim to us.
- Experienced slip and fall representation: Our attorneys understand Louisiana slip and fall and premises liability law. We handle cases involving wet floors, uneven sidewalks, broken stairs, poor lighting, unsafe parking lots, and other dangerous property conditions.
- Proving negligence and duty of care: Businesses and property owners often deny responsibility after a fall. We work to show the property owner knew or should have known about the dangerous condition and failed to correct it or warn people about the risk.
- Finding all responsible parties: Slip and fall cases may involve more than one responsible party. We investigate property owners, management companies, maintenance providers, cleaning contractors, tenants, and others who may share liability.
- Preserving important evidence: Slip and fall evidence can disappear quickly. We work to secure surveillance footage, incident reports, maintenance records, inspection logs, witness statements, and photographs before they are lost.
- Identifying insurance coverage and sources of recovery: Serious injuries may require ongoing treatment and time away from work. We investigate all available insurance coverage and sources of compensation that may help cover medical expenses, lost income, pain and suffering, and future care needs.
- Thorough case-building: Serious injury cases need the right preparation and support. We carefully review medical records, accident details, safety policies, and property maintenance history to build the strongest case possible.
- Peer-recognized attorneys: Loyd J Bourgeois has earned an AV Preeminent rating from Martindale-Hubbell and has been recognized by Super Lawyers and Best Lawyers. These peer-influenced honors reflect professional achievement and respect in the legal field.
- Strong client-focused ratings: Potential clients often review ratings and feedback before choosing a lawyer. Loyd J Bourgeois has strong attorney ratings, including a 10/10 Avvo rating and a 10.0 Justia rating.
- Client-voted awards: Our firm has also received client fan favorite recognition, including NOLA Family Favorites Favorite Attorney and New Orleans CityBusiness Top Winner for Best Personal Injury Lawyer.
- Louisiana local knowledge: We understand Louisiana courts, businesses, insurance practices, and the local factors that can affect slip and fall claims throughout the state.
- Free consultation: We offer free consultations so you can get answers and understand your options before deciding what to do next.
If you were injured in a slip and fall accident in Louisiana, you do not have to deal with the insurance company alone. Contact LJBLegal today for a free consultation and learn how we may be able to help.
How Will You Stay Informed During Your Case?
Our client portal app gives you 24/7 access to your case status. You can upload documents, read answers to common questions, and message your attorney or dedicated case manager at any time. This reduces stress and keeps you in the loop.
Ready To Talk With a Louisiana Slip and Fall Lawyer?
You do not have to handle this alone. Reach out for a free conversation with the Louisiana slip and fall accident lawyers from LJBLegal at 985-240-9773. We will listen, explain your options in plain language, and map out next steps. You pay no fee unless we recover money for you.