Did you get hurt after slipping and falling on someone else’s property? No matter if you were on public or private premises, your incidents might seem minor at first, but it’s not uncommon for these circumstances to cause lasting injuries.
This is often especially true when the harm you suffered was the result of unsafe conditions or property owner negligence. Recovering from a slip and fall can be painful, but you don’t have to go through it alone. Instead, reach out to a slip and fall accident lawyer in Gladstone for help.
At Foster Wallace Personal Injury Lawyers, we have more than 45 years of combined experience. Let our seasoned team advocate for you and protect your rights as your Gladstone personal injury lawyer.
Premises Liability in Missouri
Slip and fall cases in Gladstone fall under the broader legal concept of premises liability. This means that a property owner, manager, or tenant may be legally responsible for injuries sustained on their property due to hazardous or unsafe conditions.
As outlined under RSMo § 537.347, Missouri courts use premises liability to evaluate whether the property owner failed to use reasonable care to keep their premises safe for lawful visitors. Property owners in Missouri owe different levels of duty depending on the legal status of the visitor. The three levels are as follows:
- Invitees: These are individuals who are invited onto the property for business purposes, such as customers in a store. Property owners owe the highest duty of care to invitees, so they must regularly inspect for hazards and either fix the issues or warn people about them in a prompt manner.
- Licensees: These are social guests or people who enter the premises for non-commercial reasons with permission. Property owners must warn licensees of known dangers, though they are not obligated to inspect for hidden hazards.
- Trespassers: Property owners owe limited duties to trespassers, though they cannot intentionally harm them. In some cases involving children, higher standards go into effect, even for trespassing minors.
Common Causes of Slip and Fall Accidents in Gladstone
Various environmental and human factors contribute to these incidents. Your Gladstone slip and fall accident attorney can help you figure out what exactly caused you to fall.
However, in general, these incidents often happen in supermarkets, retail stores, sidewalks, workplaces, rental properties, and private residences. Here are common scenarios that lead to slip and falls:
- Wet or slippery floors
- Uneven surfaces
- Poor lighting
- Unsecured cords or clutter
- Lack of handrails or guardrails
- Icy walkways and entrances
Contact our Kansas city personal injury lawyers now.
Proving Negligence in a Missouri Slip and Fall Case
To hold a property owner or occupier liable for a slip and fall injury, your Gladstone slip and fall accident attorneys must prove that negligence took place. In Missouri, this typically involves showing that the following four points were true:
- The defendant owned, occupied, or controlled the property: The person or entity responsible for maintaining the area must be clearly identified.
- The defendant was negligent in maintaining the property: This means they either created a dangerous condition, knew about it and failed to act, or should have known about it through regular inspection.
- The plaintiff was lawfully on the property: As discussed, duties vary based on visitor status.
- The dangerous condition caused the injury: The plaintiff must show that the hazard directly led to their fall and the injuries that followed.
Negligence is often established through evidence such as surveillance footage, maintenance records, witness testimony, photographs of the hazard, or professional opinions regarding property safety standards.
Statute of Limitations for Slip and Fall Cases in Missouri
In Missouri, the statute of limitations for many personal injury cases—including slip and fall accidents—is five years from the date of the incident. Failing to file a lawsuit within this time frame typically bars recovery altogether.
However, a few exceptions could shorten or extend this deadline if they apply to your set of circumstances, including:
- Minors or incapacitated individuals: They may have the statute tolled—or paused—until they reach legal age or recover capacity.
- Claims against government entities: These require much shorter notice periods and specific procedures under the Missouri Tort Claims Act.
Because the statute of limitations is strictly enforced, timing plays a major role in preserving the right to seek compensation. That’s why it’s very important to reach out to slip and fall accident attorneys in Gladstone as soon as possible. Acting sooner gives us time to pursue legal action on your behalf before the statute of limitations expires.
Contact Our Gladstone Slip and Fall Accident Attorneys for Help Today
If you or someone close to you was injured after slipping and falling on another person’s property, it’s important to know that you’re not alone. We understand that these incidents can be both physically overwhelming and financially draining, but help is out there.
The Gladstone slip and fall accident lawyers at Foster Wallace can advocate for you, protect your rights, and fight for your much-deserved compensation as the victim of the incident. Call our team as soon as possible. It may be Your Injury, but it’s Our Fight.
