A slip-and-fall accident can change your life in seconds.
One moment you’re walking through a grocery store, apartment complex, parking lot, restaurant, or office building. The next, you’re dealing with painful injuries, mounting medical expenses, lost income, and uncertainty about what happens next.
Under Missouri law, property owners have a legal responsibility to keep their premises reasonably safe for visitors. When dangerous conditions are ignored and someone gets hurt, the property owner may be held financially accountable through a premises liability claim.
At The S.E. Farris Law Firm, we help injured Missourians understand their rights and pursue compensation when negligence causes serious injuries.
WHAT IS PREMISES LIABILITY?
Premises liability is a legal concept that holds property owners, managers, and businesses responsible when unsafe conditions cause injuries.
These cases arise when a property owner knew, or should have known, about a dangerous condition but failed to fix it, warn visitors about it, or take reasonable steps to prevent injuries.
Common premises liability claims include:
• Slip-and-fall accidents
• Trip-and-fall accidents
• Unsafe stairways
• Poor lighting
• Wet floors
• Uneven sidewalks
• Falling merchandise
• Inadequate security
• Ice and snow hazards
• Defective handrails
• Parking lot hazards
• Swimming pool accidents
Dog attacks
UNDERSTANDING PROPERTY OWNER RESPONSIBILITIES IN MISSOURI
Property owners are not insurers of everyone’s safety. However, they do have a duty to use reasonable care to protect lawful visitors from foreseeable hazards.
COMMON CAUSES OF SLIP-AND-FALL ACCIDENTS
• Wet or freshly mopped floors
• Spilled liquids
• Loose carpeting
• Broken flooring
• Uneven pavement
• Potholes
• Snow and ice accumulation
• Poor lighting
• Missing handrails
• Debris in walkways
INJURIES FREQUENTLY SEEN IN PREMISES LIABILITY CASES
• Broken bones
• Hip fractures
• Wrist fractures
• Concussions
• Traumatic brain injuries
• Neck injuries
• Back injuries
• Herniated discs
• Shoulder injuries
• Knee injuries
• Spinal cord damage
HOW DO YOU PROVE FAULT IN A MISSOURI SLIP-AND-FALL CASE?
The injured person must generally show:
1. They had a right to be on the property as a customer or invited guest. Uninvited visitors and even trespassers also have rights, but they are limited.
- A dangerous condition existed.
3. The property owner knew or should have known about it.
4. The owner failed to take reasonable action.
5. The dangerous condition caused the injury.
6. The victim suffered damages.
If your injury happened on public or government owned property, there may be reporting requirements with a very short deadline after the injury and specific report information.
MISSOURI’S COMPARATIVE FAULT RULE
Missouri follows a pure comparative fault system. This means an injured person may still recover compensation even if they were partially responsible for the accident. Anytime an adult falls, they can receive part of the blame. For that reason, some lawyers won’t take slip, trip, and fall cases. We have tried more of those kinds of cases to jury verdict than any other type of injury claim.
WHAT SHOULD YOU DO AFTER A SLIP-AND-FALL ACCIDENT?
• Seek Medical Attention
• Report the Incident
• Document Everything and take pictures as soon as you can
• Avoid Discussing the Accident Online
• Contact an Experienced Premises Liability Lawyer
HOW LONG DO YOU HAVE TO FILE A PREMISES LIABILITY LAWSUIT IN MISSOURI?
Missouri generally allows five years from the date of injury to file a personal injury lawsuit.
COMMON DEFENSES USED BY PROPERTY OWNERS AND INSURANCE COMPANIES
• The hazard was obvious.
• The victim was distracted.
• The dangerous condition appeared only moments before the accident.
• The injured person was somewhere they were not supposed to be.
• The injuries existed before the fall.
WHAT COMPENSATION MAY BE AVAILABLE?
Economic Damages:
• Medical expenses
• Future medical treatment
• Lost wages
• Reduced earning capacity
• Rehabilitation costs
Non-Economic Damages:
• Pain and suffering
• Emotional distress
• Loss of enjoyment of life
• Permanent disability
• Disfigurement
WHY WORK WITH THE S.E. FARRIS LAW FIRM?
At The S.E. Farris Law Firm, we understand how insurance companies evaluate premises liability claims and the tactics they use to limit compensation. We work closely with clients throughout the St. Louis area to investigate accidents, preserve evidence, and pursue the financial recovery they need to move forward.
