Sidewalk Injury
Additional Information
Slip, Trip, and Falls on a Dangerous Sidewalk
You'd planned for a nice walk with the family or your pet, just around the block, or to the neighborhood park. But a broken, slippery or crumbling piece of sidewalk has you loaded into an ambulance, heading to the emergency room with a serious injury. Now the questions begin pouring in:
Who is responsible for my injury?
How am I going to pay for these medical bills?
What are my legal rights in this situation?
Should I contact an attorney?
You're not the only one asking themselves these kinds of questions. Each year many people suffer injuries because of dangerous sidewalk conditions. The Husband & Wife Law Team has a history of helping people just like you recover damages after a nasty trip, slip, or fall on the sidewalk.
We have held landlords, property owners, and municipalities responsible for not keeping the sidewalk safe. Together, we can send these individuals a clear message and get you the compensation you need for the following:
Emergency medical transportation and care
Physical therapy
Follow-up doctor visits
Pain and suffering
Loss of wages
How Sidewalk Accidents Happen
Unlike folks living in big cities along the East Coast, we don’t have to worry about snow in Phoenix very often. On rare occasions, the temperature dips below freezing, which might cause some ice to form, and that could be a hazard. But even though it doesn’t rain very much in the desert, when it does rain in Phoenix, it often pours. Despite averaging less than ten inches of precipitation per year, there are some days when we get a lot of rain. But slip and fall accidents in Phoenix usually aren’t caused by an act of nature. If you had a bad fall on the sidewalk, there’s a good chance it was someone else’s fault because the sidewalk was improperly maintained.
The biggest factor making sidewalks unsafe in Phoenix is uneven surfaces. When people are walking along the sidewalk, they shouldn’t be expected to have to look down every step of the way. In addition to tree roots pushing up from underneath, chipping, cracking, and surface deterioration can all occur as a natural result of weathering. Gaps and vertical displacement along the edges can also be a problem. Even though it may not seem like much, a one-inch rise can cause a trip or ankle roll, leading to serious injury. It’s essential for property owners and city official to anticipate these problems before they hurt somebody.
Who Is Responsible for Keeping Sidewalks Safe in Phoenix?
If a pedestrian slips and falls on a public sidewalk due to unsafe conditions, someone must be held responsible. It may be the municipality that built the sidewalk, or it could be the owner of the adjacent property. It might even be a combination of the two. In many cases it is determined that the two parties have joint responsibility for keeping the sidewalk safe. At The Husband & Wife Law Team we will investigate the circumstances of your fall to determine who owes you compensation for your injuries. Then we will use our experience and expertise to make sure you get the best settlement possible.
Our investigators will determine if the owner of the property next to the sidewalk has trees with roots that cause it to lift or crack, as this can definitely create an unsafe condition. Unraked leaves and sprinklers that are allowed to spray on the walkway can also create slippery conditions that may cause a fall. It’s the property owner’s responsibility to be aware of these situations and any other hazardous conditions they may be causing. Of course, it’s also reasonable to hold the local municipality responsible for sidewalk safety. After all, the sidewalk is their property, and it certainly makes sense to hold the local government accountable for maintaining all city property.
Injuries and Medical Expenses
"I can barely afford my hospital bills. How can I possibly afford an attorney?"
The premises liability attorneys at The Husband & Wife Law Team understand your concerns. We know that your injuries have put you in a tough spot. Medical bills are expensive and add up. This is why we operate as a contingency fee based practice. That means we don’t collect a dime until you’ve won your claim. No hidden fees. No unexplained courts costs. We only receive payment when we settle your claim, or we get a verdict at trial. That way, you can focus on recovering, while we focus on getting you the compensation you deserve.
Call us to schedule a free consultation with our personal injury team.
Getting the Compensation You Deserve
The insurance companies that represent property owners and municipalities are pretty stingy. That’s because they make their money by paying out as little as possible in claims. They will come up with all sorts of excuses to avoid giving you the compensation you need to pay for your injuries. They might claim that the defect in the sidewalk was so minor that it couldn’t have contributed to your injuries. Or they might say the type of injuries you maintained couldn’t possibly be the result of a fall. They might even try to blame the victim even though someone else is clearly at fault. But at The Husband & Wife Law Team, we’ve heard it all before, and we know how to refute these bogus arguments and beat the big insurance companies.
As experienced slip and fall attorneys, we know just how dangerous sidewalk falls can be. Sidewalks are hard, and when a person falls on one, they can suffer all sorts of serious injuries, including:
Rotator cuff injuries
Herniated discs
Concussions
Many of these injuries require extensive medical care including surgery and long-term rehabilitation to overcome. A sidewalk slip and fall can result in years of pain and suffering and even wrongful death. That’s why we will do everything we can to get you the settlement you deserve.
When Should I Contact a Slip and Fall Attorney?
Falling on a sidewalk can be a serious accident. Injuries can range from a simple sprain to severe and life-altering trauma. But proving wrongdoing takes considerable time and resources. For that reason, it's important to speak with a qualified personal injury attorney as soon as possible.
Don't forget, Arizona maintains a statute of limitations on all civil actions. That means unless you file a claim within the designated time limit, you can lose your right to compensation.
Give The Husband & Wife Law Team a call to get the ball rolling on your claim. Our injury lawyers have the experience, the resources, and the track record to help you secure the kind of compensation you need.
Let us help you move forward. Contact The Husband & Wife Law Team and we will help you plan the next step for getting fair compensation for your injuries.