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mike bottaro slip and fall attorney

Slip and Fall Attorneys in Rhode Island

Did you slip and fall on a Rhode Island property and suffer an injury because the owner failed to maintain safe premises? Mike and his team of Rhode Island slip-and-fall attorneys at Bottaro Law want to pursue maximum compensation for you from the negligent property owner.

Bottaro Law is dedicated to the principle that accident victims should not have to pay for their physical, emotional, and financial pain and suffering when someone else is to blame for a slip-and-fall accident in Rhode Island. We have helped recover millions of dollars in settlements, benefits, and awards for our clients. We can help you, too.

Contact Bottaro Law today to speak with one of our dedicated slip-and-fall accident lawyers in Rhode Island during a free initial consultation. With our 24/7 free case review and exclusive No Fee Guarantee®, you get top-rated legal advice with no cost to you until we win your case.

What Is a Slip-and-Fall Case?

A slip-and-fall case arises when a person slips or trips and falls and suffers an injury because of a hazardous condition on someone else’s property. The slip-and-fall victim could hold the property owner or other responsible party liable for their injuries if the at-fault party failed to maintain safe conditions or warn visitors of hazardous conditions.

Common Causes of Slip-and-Fall Accidents in Rhode Island

Slip-and-fall accidents can occur for various reasons. Some of the most common causes include:

  • Wet or slippery surfaces – Wet surfaces caused by spills, leaks, rain, or ice are common causes of slip-and-fall accidents in Rhode Island. Recently cleaned or waxed floors can also present slip-and-fall hazards, for example.
  • Uneven or cracked surfaces – Uneven or cracked surfaces in parking lots, on sidewalks, or in buildings can cause a person to fall.
  • Poor lighting – Inadequate lighting can make it difficult for a guest to see potential hazards and increase the risk of a slip-and-fall accident.
  • Loose flooring material – According to the National Flooring Safety Institute (NFSI), flooring materials contribute to more than 2 million fall injuries annually. Loose flooring might include carpets, rugs, or tiles.
  • Cluttered walkways – Walkways with clutter, such as in offices, homes, or businesses, present falling hazards for guests.
  • Defective stairs or hand railings – Stairs and hand railings should be sturdy and dependable. If they are faulty, a person could fall and severely injure themselves.

Most Common Slip-and-Fall Injuries

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), one out of five falls causes a serious injury. The following are common injuries caused by slip-and-fall accidents:

  • Fractures – According to the NFSI, 5 percent of all fall victims suffer a fracture. Fractures can occur to any bone in the body, but hip fractures are prevalent and dangerous. According to the CDC, falls cause over 95 percent of all hip fractures. Other frequent fracture sites include wrists and ankles.
  • Dislocations – A slip-and-fall accident could cause a joint to become dislocated. Frequent dislocation sites include shoulders, elbows, ankles, and knees.
  • Contusions – A contusion often develops at the impact site when the body strikes the ground or floor hard. Some contusions heal over time, but severe contusions may be signs of serious complications and require treatment from a medical professional.
  • Soft tissue injuries – A slip-and-fall can cause a sprain, which occurs when a ligament gets stretched or torn, or a strain, which occurs when a muscle or tendon gets stretched or torn.
  • Back and spine injuries – Slip-and-fall accidents can cause back injuries such as herniated discs or spinal cord injuries, for example.
  • Traumatic brain injuries – According to the CDC, falls are the most common cause of traumatic brain injuries (TBIs). TBIs can range from mild concussions to severe brain damage resulting in lifelong disabilities.

Common Places Where Slip-and-Fall Accidents Occur in Rhode Island

While someone can slip and fall anywhere a hazard exists, the following places are common sites for slip-and-fall accidents:

  • Grocery stores – Spilled foods and liquids, freshly mopped floors, and cluttered aisles could cause grocery store patrons to slip and fall.
  • Restaurants and bars – These locations often have wet floors from spilled drinks and frequent mopping.
  • Sidewalks and parking lots – Cracks, potholes, and uneven pavement on sidewalks and in parking lots can cause people to trip, slip, and fall.
  • Office buildings – Office workers or visitors can slip and fall on wet floors, loose flooring, cluttered walkways, or tripping hazards, such as extension cords.
  • Homes – Homes with old flooring, deteriorated steps or porches, cluttered walkways, and loose rugs present numerous slip-and-fall hazards for guests.
  • Hospitals and nursing homes – Because of their vulnerable clientele, hospitals and nursing homes should take extra caution to avoid slippery floors, spilled liquids, tripping hazards, and cluttered hallways.
  • Construction sites – Construction sites often have uneven or unsecured surfaces and unkempt walkways that increase the risk of a dangerous slip-and-fall accident.
  • Swimming pools – Slippery pool decks, wet tiles, and uneven surfaces around the pool area can cause slip-and-fall accidents.

What Do You Have to Prove in a Slip-and-Fall Claim?

To recover compensation, your attorney must prove that the property owner failed to take reasonable measures to address a hazardous condition that directly caused your injuries. Your attorney must also establish the following key facts:

  • You were legally allowed on the property, either as a customer of the business visiting during business hours or as an invited guest.
  • The property owner knew about or should have known about the hazardous condition.
  • The property owner had sufficient time to fix the dangerous condition.
  • The property owner did not take reasonable measures to warn you of the hazardous condition by hanging warning signs, providing verbal warnings in advance, or cordoning off the area.

Under a recently modified Rhode Island law, it does not matter whether the dangerous condition was “open and obvious” to the victim. However, your compensation may be diminished in proportion to your share of the fault under comparative negligence rules.

How Long Do You Have to File a Premises Liability Claim in Rhode Island?

According to Rhode Island’s statute of limitations, a slip-and-fall accident victim must file a personal injury lawsuit within three years of the accident date. Failure to meet the deadline will likely result in dismissal of your case. The best thing you can do is to contact Mike and his team at Bottaro Law. The sooner we get started on your case, the sooner you could recover the money you need to move forward – without having to worry about filing deadlines.

Steps to Take After a Slip-and-Fall Accident

To protect your right to seek compensation after a slip-and-fall accident, take the following essential steps:

  • Seek medical attention. Even if you think your injuries are minor at first, it is vital to seek medical attention. A prompt medical exam could reveal hidden conditions and protect you from worsening injuries or further complications. 
  • Report the accident. Inform the property owner or manager of your accident immediately.
  • Gather evidence. Gather evidence at the accident scene, including photos, videos, and contact information of any eyewitnesses.
  • Consult an attorney at Bottaro Law. Personal injury attorney Mike Bottaro and his legal team have in-depth experience handling slip-and-fall accident cases. Our Rhode Island slip-and-fall lawyers can advise you on your legal options for maximizing your compensation.

Slip and Fall FAQ

Slip and Fall

How can I prove that a property owner is responsible for my slip and fall?

After your slip and fall injury, there are important steps you should take to help establish your claim. To prove that the property owner is responsible, you should take photos at the scene of the incident that show the property’s conditions. Photos are critical in documenting evidence that may disappear over time. You should also seek medical attention, as your medical records can also serve as evidence.

Who decides how much compensation I will receive for my slip and fall?

Typically, you decide. Most slip and fall claims settle, and it’s up to you when and whether to settle your case. At the Bottaro Law Firm, LLC, we make sure our clients know exactly what they’re taking home when they receive a settlement offer so that they can make informed decisions about protecting their legal rights. If your case does not settle, you can choose to file a claim in court. If your case goes to trial, a judge or jury will determine the amount of compensation you should receive.

How much will it cost to hire an attorney for my slip and fall claim?

At the Bottaro Law Firm, LLC, our No Fee Guarantee® ensures that you won’t pay us anything unless we win your case. There are no hidden fees, hourly rates, or retainer fees.

What can I expect when I hire an attorney to represent me?

First, your attorney will let the insurance companies know that you have legal representation. From this point forward, you shouldn’t have to deal with insurance adjusters on your own. Your attorney will negotiate with the insurance companies on your behalf for a favorable settlement. If you don’t receive a reasonable offer, your case may then go to trial.

What if the property owner claims they didn’t know about the dangerous conditions that led to my slip and fall?

In most cases, this excuse isn’t enough for the property owner to avoid liability. In Rhode Island and Massachusetts, property owners can often be held liable if they should have known about the dangerous conditions that caused the incident.

Can a business be held liable if it leases the premises where I slipped and fell?

Yes. In many cases, the business—and not the property owner—has control over the premises and will therefore be held liable for any resulting injuries. When we investigate your claim, we will also work to identify responsible parties.

Get a trusted car accidents lawyer on your side

Talk to a Rhode Island Slip-and-Fall Injury Lawyer Now

If a Rhode Island property owner’s negligence caused you to suffer a slip-and-fall injury, Bottaro Law stands ready to help you seek the compensation you need right now. We are dedicated to your best interests, so we never charge any upfront fees for our legal representation. We only get paid when we succeed in winning your case. 

Contact Bottaro Law today for a free consultation to learn more about how our Rhode Island slip-and-fall attorneys can help you.

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