Guide to Slip and Fall Claims in Tennessee
Request Free ConsultationIf you slip, trip, or fall on another person’s property, you have the legal right to pursue financial compensation for your losses from the at-fault party. To do that, you must understand the laws related to slip and fall claims in Tennessee, and a Nashville slip and fall lawyer can help you. Contact us today.
Negligence in a Slip and Fall Case in Tennessee
Under Tennessee law, a victim who suffers injuries on another person’s property may be able to file a personal injury claim for their losses if they can prove negligence. There are four key components to proving negligence under Tennessee law:
- The property owner owed you a duty of care. This means you had the right to be on the property at the time of the accident. In the state, property owners are required to keep their property in a safe overall condition or warn about risks.
- There was a breach in the duty of care. The property owner breached the duty of care in some way.
- You suffered an accident. The breach of the duty of care is what caused you to slip and fall, specifically.
- You suffered injuries. The slip and fall caused financial and physical injury to you.
Demonstrating these four elements means the property owner is responsible for paying for the losses you sustained. The at-fault party could include:
- The landowner
- The tenant of a leased property
- The property manager or management company
- The owner of an easement
If you believe these factors to be accurate, work with a premises liability lawyer in Nashville,Tennessee for the legal guidance and support necessary to help you recover from your injuries.
When Is a Dangerous Condition in a Slip and Fall Accident?
To obtain compensation for their injuries, victims must demonstrate that the property owner created or failed to manage unsafe conditions on their property. They knew or should have known about the dangerous condition and failed to take action to rectify it or warn about the risk. Some examples of this include:
- Uneven surfaces that create a tripping hazard
- Wet or slippery conditions
- Stairs or railings that are unstable or insecure
- Carpeting or flooring that is frayed, loose, buckling, or otherwise unsafe
- Water, snow, or ice was present on the surface of a walking path
- There is clutter present in a walking path
- Poor lighting along a lighting path limited visibility
- Something was spilled on the floor surface
Another key component of filing a slip and fall claim is ensuring that the owner was aware of the risk and had sufficient time to address it. If a customer spills a drink in a restaurant and someone else falls immediately after, the company did not have time to remove the risk. Call our experienced personal injury attorney in Nashville, TN for a free case review today.
Statute of Limitations for Slip and Fall Claims
If your situation qualifies as a slip and fall accident, the Tennessee statute of limitations for filing a lawsuit against the at-fault party is just one year from the date the incident occurred. If you wait beyond this amount of time, you are unable to take legal action, and the insurance company for the at-fault party will not pay for your losses.
How to Get Help Filing a Slip and Fall Accident Claim
As the victim of a slip and fall accident in Tennessee, you deserve fair treatment. Contact a local Nashville accident attorney to help you navigate your rights.