A Sample Complaint for a Slip and Fall Lawsuit

Premises liability is the liability for injuries and damages to others that occurs from the ownership or possession of real property. Premises liability is based on general negligence and is controlled by law. Premises liability suits often involve slip and fall lawsuit actions.

You Slipped and Fell, Now What?

After you get medical attention for your injuries, you need to consult an attorney with experience in slip and fall lawsuits. Personal injury attorneys will generally work on contingency, meaning they do not require an up-front retainer for the services that they provide. Instead, they take a percentage of any jury award or settlement.

Since you will be working with your attorney for quite some time, it is important that you interview several. Inquire about experience with personal injury cases and communication with clients. Then choose the one that you feel will best serve you with your slip and fall injury case.

What the Complaint Will Look Like

The attorney you choose will immediately get to work on writing a complaint. The slip and fall complaint will set out the reasons why the plaintiff is entitled to compensation by the defendant for injuries. In a slip and fall case, the owner of the property where the accident took place is the defendant.

The slip and fall complaint will provide the defendant with a set period in which to respond to the complaint, which in most cases is thirty days. A response can include denial of liability or responsibility. In addition, the response may turn the lame on the plaintiff. You will then be given a deadline to respond to the answer of the defendant.

How Long Do You Have to File a Lawsuit?

How long you have in to file a slip and fall lawsuit depends on the state in which you live. The time starts at the occurrence of the injury, the day of the slip and fall. From then on, the clock is ticking. In some states, such as Kentucky, Louisiana, and Tennessee, you may have as little as a single year to file a lawsuit. In other states, such as North Dakota and Maine, you may have as long as six years to file. If you pass the filing deadline, known as a statute of limitations, your opportunity to sue no longer exists.

Talking with an Attorney

The sooner after your accident that you talk to a lawyer, the better your chances will be for compensation. Find a personal injury attorney who is familiar with slip-and-fall lawsuits for the best representation.

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