Your life can change in the instant it takes to fall. An ordinary errand becomes a life-altering event, leaving you in pain, unable to work, and facing a mountain of medical bills. Often, this is not just an accident; it is the direct result of a property owner’s negligence.
For over 65 years, Ventura Law’s Danbury slip and fall lawyers have been the ones that locals trust to hold these negligent property owners accountable. We understand the frustration and financial stress you are facing.
Our Danbury personal injury lawyers are here to handle the entire legal fight so you can focus on what truly matters: your healing. With over 600 5-star reviews, our commitment to our clients is clear. We offer legal support in English, Spanish, and Portuguese, and you owe us nothing unless we win your case.
The Foundation of Your Claim: Proving the Property Owner Was Negligent
To win a slip and fall case in Danbury, we must prove the property owner failed in their legal responsibility—their “duty of care”—to keep you safe. This legal duty is not the same for everyone. The law defines your rights based on why you were on the property:
- Invitee: As a customer in a store or a diner in a restaurant, you are an “invitee.” The owner owes you the highest duty of care. They must actively inspect for, warn about, and fix any known dangers.
- Licensee: As a social guest in someone’s home, you are a “licensee.” The owner has a duty to warn you of any known dangers they don’t expect you to discover yourself.
- Trespasser: If you are on a property without permission, the owner’s only duty is to not intentionally cause you harm.
Understanding your status is the first step. From there, we must prove the owner knew or should have known about the hazard that caused your injury. This is called “notice,” and it is the key to a successful claim.
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CONTACT US TODAYThe Track Record of Success of Our Danbury Slip and Fall Lawyers
While every case is different, our goal is always the same: to secure the resources our clients need to rebuild their lives. Here are examples from our official Past Verdicts & Settlements:
- $975,000 Settlement for a Fall on a Wet Supermarket Floor. Our client suffered a serious hip fracture after slipping on an unmarked spill in a grocery aisle. We used store surveillance video to prove the spill had been there for a significant time, establishing the store’s negligence.
- $700,000 Recovery for a Fall on an Icy Apartment Stairwell. A landlord failed to salt or sand the common area stairs after a winter storm. Our client fell, sustaining a back injury. We proved the landlord violated their duty to maintain a safe premises for tenants.
(Disclaimer: These are illustrations of our work. Past results do not guarantee future outcomes.)
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CONTACT US TODAYWhere Do Falls Happen? Holding All Property Owners Accountable
A property owner’s duty to provide a safe environment follows you wherever you go as a customer or guest. We have experience handling cases that occurred at all types of properties throughout Connecticut, including:
- Major Retailers & Supermarkets (e.g., Stop & Shop, Walmart, Home Depot) due to spills, dropped merchandise, and worn flooring.
- Restaurants, Bars, and Coffee Shops from spilled food and drinks or poor lighting.
- Apartment Buildings & Condominium Complexes in common areas like hallways, stairwells, and parking lots due to ice, snow, or poor maintenance.
- Parking Lots & Garages caused by potholes, inadequate lighting, or poor drainage.
- Sidewalks & Public Property when government entities fail to repair cracked pavement or address known hazards.
- Workplaces, where employers have a duty to provide a safe environment, a standard outlined by organizations like the National Safety Council (NSC) (link opens in new tab).
Our Immediate Action Plan: How We Build Your Case
From the moment you hire our slip and fall lawyers in Danbury, we take swift, decisive action to protect your rights and build your case. Our investigation includes:
- Securing Video Surveillance: We immediately send preservation letters to demand any security or cell phone footage of the accident before it is erased.
- Obtaining Incident Reports: We compel the property owner to provide the official report created after your fall.
- Analyzing Cleaning & Maintenance Logs: These internal documents can prove when an area was last inspected, often revealing negligence.
- Interviewing Witnesses: We locate and interview employees or other customers who saw the hazard or your fall.
- Documenting the Defect: We photograph and measure the dangerous condition to be used as powerful evidence.
What to Do Immediately After a Slip and Fall Accident
What you do in the moments after a fall can be critical to protecting your health and your legal rights.
- Report the Incident Immediately: Do not leave the property. Report the fall to a manager, landlord, or owner right away. Ask them to create an official incident report and get a copy.
- Document the Hazard: Use your phone. Take pictures and videos of the exact condition that caused you to fall (the spill, the ice, the broken step) before it can be cleaned up or repaired.
- Get Witness Information: If anyone saw you fall or saw the dangerous condition, get their name and phone number.
- Preserve Your Footwear: The shoes you were wearing are important evidence. Place them in a bag and do not wear them again.
- Seek Medical Attention: Go to an urgent care clinic or the ER. According to the CDC’s Facts About Falls, one out of five falls causes a serious injury like a broken bone or a head injury. This creates a vital medical record.
- Decline to Give a Recorded Statement: The property’s insurance company will call. Politely decline to give a statement until you have spoken with an attorney.
The Incident Report: What to Say (and Never Say)
Reporting your fall to a manager can be intimidating. They may ask you to sign documents or ask confusing questions. It is critical to stay calm and stick to the facts.
What to Include in Your Report
- Just the Facts: State simply what happened. “I was walking in aisle 5 and my feet went out from under me. I looked down and saw a clear liquid on the floor.”
- Date, Time, and Location: Be as specific as possible.
- Witness Information: Provide the names of any witnesses you identified.
What to AVOID Saying or Doing
- Do Not Apologize or Admit Fault: Do not say “I’m so sorry,” or “I should have been more careful.” This can be used against you.
- Do Not Speculate on Your Injuries: Do not say “I think I’m fine” or “It’s just a sprain.” You are not a doctor. Simply state what part of your body hurts.
- Do Not Sign Anything: Do not sign anything other than your own factual statement in the incident report. Never sign a waiver or a release of liability.
Navigating the Insurance Landscape After a Fall
The insurance questions after you’ve been injured can be incredibly stressful. We manage all of it for you.
- The At-Fault Property’s Insurance: This is the primary source of compensation. We handle all negotiations to ensure they pay the maximum amount possible.
- Your Health Insurance & Liens: Your health insurance can be used to pay for your treatment, but they will likely place a lien on your settlement. This means they have a right to be paid back from the money we recover for you. We are experienced in negotiating with health insurance companies to reduce the amount of their lien, which puts more money in your pocket at the end of the case.
- Medical Payments (MedPay) Coverage: Some property insurance policies include “MedPay” coverage, which can provide a small amount of immediate funds for medical bills, regardless of fault. We can help you access this while we build your larger negligence claim.
Fighting for the True Cost of a Fall
A serious fall can lead to a lifetime of expenses and challenges. We fight to ensure your compensation covers every loss, both now and in the future.
Economic Damages (Your Financial Losses)
These are the tangible costs of the accident. We meticulously document:
- All medical bills, from the ambulance ride to future surgeries and physical therapy.
- Lost wages and income from being unable to work.
- Diminished future earning capacity if you cannot return to your previous job.
Non-Economic Damages (The Human Cost)
This is compensation for the immense personal impact on your life. Our Danbury slip and fall lawyers work to demonstrate the true cost of injuries like a herniated disc requiring future fusion surgery, or a hip fracture that leads to a loss of independence. This includes:
- Physical pain and suffering.
- Emotional distress and anxiety.
- Permanent scarring or limitations on your mobility.
- Loss of enjoyment of your life and hobbies.
Connecticut Slip and Fall Accident FAQs
I feel embarrassed about falling. Do I still have a case?
Yes. Feeling embarrassed is a common and understandable