Edmonton Slip and Fall Lawyers

Slip and fall accidents happen when individuals slip, trip, or fall due to hazardous conditions on another party’s property. Unsafe conditions are often the result of negligence on the part of the property owner or property manager who failed to maintain a safe environment. If you are injured in this way, you may have the right to pursue a personal injury claim through a slip and fall lawsuit. The goal of a slip and fall claim is to compensate you for both the economic and non-economic losses you have suffered as a result of your injuries.

In Edmonton and across Alberta, slip and fall accidents are prevalent. This is especially true in the winter months when failure to clear ice, snow, and other debris results in injuries to unsuspecting individuals. CIHI reports 1,800 daily hospital visits in Canada from falls, and 8,800 annually from slipping on ice.

A slip and fall can happen on any property that is owned by another person. For example, in parking lots, on municipal sidewalks, stairwells, grocery stores, retail stores, workplaces, malls, and more. Some of the most common causes of slip and fall injuries in Edmonton include:

• Slippery or icy walkways
• Poor lighting or signage
• Cluttered walkways or aisles
• Broken or uneven flooring or steps
• Lack of guardrails on stairwells
• And more

The consequences of a slip and fall accident can be extremely serious. Victims may experience brain and head injuries, spinal cord injuries, psychological trauma, and more. That’s why our Edmonton slip and fall lawyers at Watson Goepel LLP are committed to helping our clients pursue the compensation they truly deserve. We believe that you should have the legal support you need to hold negligent property owners accountable for their actions.

To explore your legal options with our team, schedule a free consultation today. You can call our Edmonton office at 780-784-0130 or fill out our online contact form to get in touch.

How Do Slip and Fall Lawsuits Work in Alberta?

Individuals are entitled to sue negligent property owners under Alberta’s Occupiers’ Liability Act. The act states that property owners (or ‘occupiers’) have a duty of care to ensure that their premises are reasonably safe at all times.

To successfully prove liability in a slip and fall claim, plaintiffs must generally prove that:

• A duty of care existed on the part of the property owner
• This duty of care was breached in some way (also called negligence)
• This breach caused injury to the plaintiff

Slip and fall claims against private owners are different than those against public owners. In cases where you are suing a municipality or other public entity, there is generally a higher burden of proof, wherein the plaintiff must demonstrate “gross negligence” on the part of the occupier. In addition, to sue a municipality in Alberta, you must give notice of your claim within 21 days of the accident.

With the help of an experienced Edmonton slip and fall lawyer, you can collect strong evidence to prove negligence on the part of an occupier. For example, you may consider taking photos or videos of the accident scene, gathering the names or contact information of witnesses, keeping the shoes you wore at the time of the accident, maintaining records of medical treatment you underwent, and more. Your lawyer will help you file your claim in civil court, negotiate with the defendant, and represent you before a judge/jury, if necessary.

There are various types of compensation available to slip and fall victims when they file a personal injury claim. You may seek restitution for economic losses, such as lost income, lost wages, medical expenses, future care needs, and more. You can also seek non-economic damages for the intangible, emotional losses you have suffered as a result of your accident. In Edmonton, these are often referred to as pain and suffering damages. Your lawyer can help you calculate the monetary value of your losses so that you can pursue the full, fair amount of compensation you deserve.

Why Work With Our Edmonton Slip and Fall Accident Lawyers?

At Watson Goepel LLP, our slip and fall lawyers in Edmonton are passionate about helping accident victims pursue the compensation they need to truly recover from their injuries. With years of local experience and a deep understanding of Alberta-specific laws, you can feel confident with our legal services on your side.

When you work with Watson Goepel LLP for your slip and fall case, our lawyers can:

• Investigate your scene promptly before changes are made to the hazardous conditions
• Handle all insurance negotiations, including with your own insurer or the property owners’ insurer
• Connect you with trusted medical providers to produce strong medical documentation and records
• Help you determine all liable parties, such as owners, property managers, snow removal companies, municipalities, and more
• Strengthen the value of your claim by gathering strong evidence and employing a tailored legal strategy

When you meet with our Edmonton slip and fall lawyers, there is no upfront cost. We work on a contingency fee basis, which means your initial consultation with our team will be completely free, and you won’t pay any money unless we successfully recover compensation for you.

Don’t wait to get in touch. The faster you act, the more evidence we can gather and the stronger claim we can build for you. To find out what your legal options may be, schedule your free consultation now.

Frequently Asked Questions: Slip and Fall Accidents in Edmonton

Below are answers to some of the most common questions our slip and fall clients ask:

Is there a difference between a slip and fall accident and a trip and fall accident?

Yes, there is a difference between slip and fall and trip and fall accidents. Both types of accidents fall under the Occupiers’ Liability Act, but are defined differently:

• Slip and Falls: Involve the loss of footing due to a lack of traction. For example, ice or wet floors would likely cause a slip and fall accident.
• Trip and Falls: These are caused when a part of your body gets caught or snagged on something, causing you to fall. For example, uneven tile or a protruding object.

Each type of case is treated very similarly under Alberta law, but you may need to gather different types of evidence to demonstrate negligence and a breach of duty of care. An experienced slip and fall lawyer will be able to define the type of accident you have experienced and help you build your claim accordingly.

How long do I have to file a slip and fall accident claim in Alberta?

In Alberta, most personal injury claims are subject to a 2-year limitation period. This means that you must file your lawsuit within 2 years of the date of the accident or risk giving up your right to take legal action. To do so, the defendant must be made aware that the claim exists before this 2-year period elapses via a notice of claim.

As previously mentioned, the limitation period for cases involving municipalities is much shorter. In most cases, your notice of claim must be submitted within 21 days of the accident.

For these reasons, it is recommended that you seek a legal consultation with Watson Goepel LLP as soon as you are able to. We can help you avoid missing any important deadlines and help you file your notice of claim in a timely manner.

Contact Our Edmonton Slip and Fall Lawyers Today

When it comes to slip and fall and trip and fall accidents, seeking legal help early is key. At Watson Goepel LLP, our slip and fall lawyers in Edmonton offer compassionate, personalized service to injured clients. We’ll help you preserve important evidence, meet crucial deadlines, and represent your claim with confidence.

If you’ve been injured in a slip and fall accident in Edmonton, contact Watson Goepel’s experienced lawyers today for a free consultation. We’re here to help you recover physically, financially, and emotionally.