SLIP and FALL CLAIMS

 

Slip and fall accidents can occur in a variety of circumstances. Many people every year are injured because they slip and fall as a result of ice, snow, liquid substances, miscellaneous objects, or hidden hazards. To succeed in a slip and fall claim, you must prove that the occupier of the premises was negligent in some respect. Slip and fall claims in British Columbia are largely governed by the Occupiers’ Liability Act.

 

An occupier of land is under a duty to take reasonable care to ensure that a person is reasonably safe on the premises.

 

The term “occupier” has wide meaning, including someone who owns the premises, someone who has responsibility for the conditions and activities of a premises, and someone who has control over the conditions and activities of a premises. In some situations, there can even be more than one occupier of a premises.

 

Please click here for court cases on occupiers’ liability and slip and falls.

 

The term “premises” also has wide meaning, and can include land, structures, ships, vessels, and trailers. In addition, railway locomotives, railway cars, vehicles, and aircraft can be considered premises, as long as they are not in operation.

 

There are many relevant factors in considering whether an occupier has fulfilled the duty imposed on him, such as whether an unusual danger was present, whether a warning had been provided, whether the occupier was aware of the danger but chose not to do anything, the ease or difficulty and the expense with which the unusual danger could have been remedied, and any prior record of safe usage of the premises by others or by the injured party.

 

In certain situations, for example at a grocery store or shopping mall, an important factor to consider is whether or not the occupier of the premises had a reasonable system of inspection and maintenance in place, and whether or not the employees were actually adhering to this system at the time of the accident.

 

An occupier’s duty of care does not require the occupier to remove every possibility of danger. The test is one of reasonableness, not perfection.

 

Pursuant to Sections 285 and 286 of the Local Government Act, there are strict time limits imposed on you by law with respect to any claim you have against a municipality. If you have been injured in a slip and fall accident, it is best to seek an immediate free consultation with Veale Law, so as to protect your legal rights before it is too late.

 

HOW WE CAN HELP

 

At Veale Law, we offer you a free consultation to discuss your case, and to advise you of your legal rights and obligations. For a free consultation, call us 24 hours a day at either 604-685-2833 or toll free at 1-855-685-2833, email us at info@vealelaw.com, or fill out our free consultation form on the right.

 

We also offer you a legal contingency fee of 20%, the lowest in the province of British Columbia. On an average slip and fall claim, this can save you thousands of dollars. If you have an existing offer from the insurance company, and would like us to finalize your matter for you, you will not be charged a fee on the amount of your existing offer from the insurance company, and our fee will only be based on any amount recovered in excess of your current offer. You don’t pay us anything up front, you don’t make any payments along the way, and you don’t pay us anything until we resolve your matter for you. In reality, no money ever leaves your pockets, as our fee comes out of the settlement money. For your convenience, home and hospital appointments are also available.

 

We also serve clients throughout British Columbia, whether you are a resident of British Columbia, or a non-resident of British Columbia, that have been injured in a slip and fall accident in British Columbia.

 

There are many benefits to having Veale Law represent you:

 

• Protection of your legal rights
• Explanation of your legal obligations
• Dealing with the insurance company on your behalf
• Payment of disbursements on your behalf
• Explanation of what damages you can claim
• Maximization of the value of your injury claim

 

If you elect to have Veale Law represent you, we will do so with passion and dedication. We keep fully abreast with the current case law. We will apply our legal knowledge, experience, and skills to the facts of your case in order to achieve the best possible result for you. The insurance company has trained adjusters and experienced lawyers representing their interests. You need someone to protect yours.

 

We look forward to serving all your personal injury needs, and to getting you the justice that you so rightly deserve. Contact Veale Law now.