Ottawa Slip and Fall Lawyers

Ottawa slip and fall lawyersIf you’ve been injured in a slip and fall accident in Ottawa, you need the advice of an experienced slip and fall lawyer. There are deadlines for filing claims in Ontario, so don’t wait! Call Auger Hollingsworth today for your free case assessment.

If you have been injured while on another person’s property, you may be able to file a claim against the property owner and/or property manager if the negligence resulted in your accident. Consult an experienced slip and fall accident lawyer to determine if you have a case.

Slip and fall accidents affect millions of Canadians every year. Those who are lucky walk away with minor scrapes or bruises while others suffer broken bones, paralysis, and even death. When you slip and fall on someone else’s property, you should not be the one responsible for paying medical bills and other expenses. At Auger Hollingsworth, our Ottawa slip and fall lawyer provides compassionate and skilled counsel at every turn. No matter how difficult your case may seem, our tenacious legal team is ready to help you obtain fair compensation.

Remember, you do not pay our law firm for anything unless and until we get a settlement or judgment for you.

Practice Areas

Common Types of Slip and Fall Accidents in Ottawa

Truthfully, slip and fall accidents can occur anywhere — at home, the grocery store, in a parking lot, or anywhere else for that matter.

However, some of the most common types of slip and fall cases our Ottawa lawyers handle include:

  • A slick or slippery surface — Snow or ice in a public or private driveway can lead to terrible injuries.
  • Improper lighting — Poorly lit stairwells and walkways pose a serious danger to pedestrians.
  • A falling object — If an object falls and is not immediately removed, it may become a tripping hazard. For example, if an item falls off a department store shelf into an aisle.
  • An uneven surface — Weather can slowly cause sidewalk slabs to become uneven and lead to trip and fall accidents.
  • Defective stairs — Property owners have a duty to ensure stairs are well maintained and not crumbling or hazardous.

Other slip and fall accidents may be the result of a swimming pool accident or defective balcony. Depending on the circumstances of your accident, there may be some degree of social host liability. Always consult a knowledgeable lawyer for trusted legal guidance.

What to do After an Ottawa Slip and Fall Accident

In Ontario, slip and fall accidents can be difficult to prove without the help of an experienced injury lawyer. Successfully resolving most slip and fall cases requires a thorough understanding of the ever-changing laws and statutes in Canada.

Follow these tips to increase your chances of recovering fair compensation in your slip and fall case:

  • Keep, but stop wearing, whatever you had on your feet — Many slip and fall accident victims forget that their shoes are evidence! Immediately after your accident, remove and preserve your footwear — it may be valuable for your legal claim.
  • Take photos — Be sure to photograph the location of the fall as soon as possible, ideally before weather or reparations alter the scene.
  • Keep track of witness contact info — Even if witnesses did not see your accident, they might be able to speak about the state of the area that led to your fall.
  • Look for a cause — Was your fall caused by something obvious like a food or oil spill? Take photos of any condition that may have contributed to your accident.

Regardless of whether you feel pain at the time of the accident, hours or even days later, you may discover injuries. As a result, you should always schedule a medical evaluation as soon as possible after an accident. Make sure you follow your doctor’s orders too — A failure to do so may result in the insurance company denying your claim on the basis that your injuries are not serious enough to require continued treatment.

Even if someone does not feel pain at the time of the accident, it is possible for certain injuries to manifest themselves in the days to follow. Therefore, you should consider scheduling a medical evaluation as soon as possible. Then, it is critical to follow the doctor’s orders— a failure to do so might result in the insurance company denying your claim on the basis that your injuries are not as serious as you allege.

Responsibilities of Property Owners in Ontario

In Ontario, the Occupier’s Liability Act mandates that property owners have a duty to ensure their premises are reasonably safe for guests and invitees. Part of their duty is to ensure their property is free of slip and fall hazards — poor lighting, slick surfaces, ice, debris, food spills, etc.

To recover compensation from a negligent property owner in Ottawa, you must be able to prove that they acted negligently and that their act or omission was the proximate cause of your injury. A successful claim can award you compensation for certain damages, including:

  • Loss of past and future wages
  • All medical expenses
  • Costs of attendant care
  • Pain and suffering

If you slip and fall on an ice or snow-covered surface, seek legal help immediately. Under Bill 118, passed in December 2020, anyone who slips and falls as a result of icy conditions only has 60 days from the date of injury to file a claim.

Slip and Fall Injuries at an Ontario School

Your child’s school has a duty to ensure its premises, and its occupants, including your child, are safe. Should your child suffer a slip and fall injury at a playground, school trip or gym class, you may have grounds to file a claim for compensation. And remember, since Ontario school boards carry liability insurance, the school’s education budget will not be affected by your child’s injury claim.

Injured in a Slip and Fall Accident? Hire an Ottawa Slip and Fall Lawyer Near You

If you are injured on someone else’s property, you have the right to take legal action. However, you should strongly consider retaining the services of an experienced accident lawyer. With the help of a legal expert, you can maximize your chances of obtaining rightful damages.

Wondering where to find “experienced slip and fall lawyers near me”? You’ve come to the right place! At Auger Hollingsworth, our sympathetic legal team will visit you in your home or the hospital. Some slip and fall victims prefer their initial meeting over the telephone.  We can accommodate you by telephone as well. If you prefer to meet us in person, we have 2 locations in the Ottawa area. Let us know what office is near you and we’ll do our best to accommodate. With Auger Hollingsworth, help after a slip and fall is always nearby!

Here are some common questions you may have after suffering an injury in a slip and fall accident:

  • Are you entitled to compensation because of an injury on someone else’s property?
  • Have you slipped on ice in Ottawa or elsewhere in Ontario?
  • Have you tripped over debris or some hidden hazard?
  • Was the sidewalk or roadway in poor need of repair?
  • Did you fall at a grocery store or other department store?

Injuries on someone else’s property are very common. These accidents may include slipping, tripping or falling, or related events.  Sometimes these injuries are caused by the negligence of someone else.  In those circumstances, you may have a claim for your losses.

WARNING: SOME SLIP AND FALL ACCIDENTS HAVE SHORT DEADLINES TO GIVE NOTICE OF A POTENTIAL CLAIM.  DON’T DELAY!

In this second part of a 3-part interview personal injury lawyer Brenda Hollingsworth describes what steps to take after an Ontario motor vehicle accident.

Get a FREE assessment from us here https://ahinjurylaw.com/

Are you looking for expert advice after an accident? The smartest step you can take after any accident is to connect with a personal injury lawyer for a FREE consultation.

In Ontario, Canada, Personal injury lawyers Brenda Hollingsworth and Richard Auger with their team of experienced lawyers offer FREE, no-pressure, advice about your rights and entitlements when you have been hurt.

For more information on whether you have a claim for car accidents, motorcycle accidents, bicycle accidents, any other road accidents, accidents at work, slips and falls, etc, go to https://ahinjurylaw.com/

The interview also discusses what information you should collect at the accident scene before you leave.  Get the other driver’s name, address and driver’s license. Wait for the police if they have been called.

It is also important to get medical attention as quickly as possible.  It is easier to prove your injury was caused by the accident if you see a medical doctor as soon as possible after the accident.

Ottawa slip and fall lawyersInsurance Issues

Remember, insurance companies are not your friend. They would rather your claim go away. They may try and get you to pre-record a statement in order to discredit you later on. Fortunately, at Auger Hollingsworth, we deal with insurers so you don’t have to. To protect your right to compensation, do not discuss your claim with anyone until you have consulted with an Ottawa slip and fall lawyer.

Determining Damages

Slip and fall claims can result in significant payment for damages. Victims may be entitled to medical bills, therapy expenses, and lost wages. Further, you may receive compensation for the pain and suffering you endured as a result of the accident.

lawyers look at how a slip and fall accident affects their clients now and how it will impact them in the future to determine the value of their claim. Our lawyers often consult with medical and vocational experts to calculate the exact amount of compensation our clients need to rebuild and resume their lives.

To determine the claim amount, the amount of your damages and the extent of your injuries will be considered.

 A knowledgeable personal injury attorney can help you negotiate the best settlement or fight for a higher claim amount in court.

What Our Clients Say:

I am so grateful that one of our friends recommended you to be my lawyer. I am very happy and satisfied with your service. You always updated me on the progress of my case. Thank you for your services and professionalism. Congratulations and thank you for a great job. I would gladly recommend you to anyone who needs your help.

Lucia Tabladillo Villadelgado

Rating: 5/5 ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

Contact a Reputable Team of Ottawa Slip and Fall Lawyers

The personal injury lawyers with Brenda Hollingsworth and Richard Auger have brought successful claims against municipalities, stores, individuals, and school boards whose unsafe premises have caused or contributed to our clients’ injuries.

At Auger Hollingsworth, helping you recover compensation for your slip and fall injury is our top priority. To schedule a free, no-obligation case assessment with an experienced accident lawyer, call +1 (613) 233-4529 or contact us online.

NOTE: THERE ARE SHORT DEADLINES TO GIVE NOTICE IN SOME SLIP AND FALL CASES.  DO NOT DELAY AND LOSE YOUR RIGHT TO COMPENSATION.

Slip and Fall FAQs

Slip and fall injuries are among the most common types of personal injury claims in Ontario.

Even cases of slip and fall accidents that appear simple and straightforward can become complex with long investigations, difficulties with proof of liability, negotiation with insurance companies, and so on.

Following are the most common questions that our slip and fall injury lawyers are asked about with these claims.

A slip and fall claim is made when an individual seeks compensation after suffering an injury from an accident where they slipped (or tripped).

The accident may have occurred on any type of property – residential, public or commercial – and the property owner or occupier may be held liable if found to be negligent.

Property owners have a duty of care to visitors, guests, customers, and so on. If this duty of care is breached, it may create a hazardous situation that can lead to falls and injuries.

After a slip and fall accident, seeking legal redress will not typically be the first thing on your mind.

Try to follow these steps if you have been injured in a slip and fall accident in Ontario:

  • Take relevant pictures and video footage at the scene of the accident using your phone: if possible, show the conditions/cause of the accident, e.g., the condition of the stairs, floor, lighting, sidewalk, driveway, parking lot or wherever you fell, and the weather conditions if applicable.
  • Seek an immediate medical examination: either at a hospital (if emergency care is needed), a walk-in clinic or from your doctor. Your injuries must be assessed professionally, treated, and documented as a priority.
  • Follow all medical advice to the letter: if you are advised to stay off work and rest – stay off work and rest!
  • Report the incident to the property owner or manager: whether the accident occurred in a home, business or office, make a report to the property owner or manager and ensure it is acknowledged – get a copy of the report and their contact details.
  • Make notes about what happened: write down everything you can remember while the information is still fresh in your mind. Focus on the time, location, and how your injury occurred.
  • Check security cameras and ask for a copy of the footage: with so many security cameras around now, it is possible that your accident was caught on camera. Check the footage and ask for a copy of it.
  • Speak to witnesses: ask for their names and contact details and check if they have pictures or videos that may be useful for your case.
  • Keep your footwear: you may need to prove what footwear you were wearing so make sure you do not throw it away. Take pictures of it even if it is ruined.
  • Retain any broken property: if you smashed your glasses, phone, watch or any other item, keep it and photograph it as it may be used as evidence.
  • Photograph the progress of your injuries: track and record the progress of injuries as they may worsen.

Many of the above steps can be handled by your slip and fall injury lawyer at Auger Hollingsworth.

It’s best to contact a qualified and experienced lawyer as soon as possible after your accident as this will allow you to focus on recovery while the legal work is done for you.

Ontario imposes a two-year statute of limitations on most slip and fall injury claims. That means you generally have two years from the date of your accident to file a lawsuit against the at-fault party.

However, if you slip and fall on snow and ice and intend to sue, you need to inform all of the proper parties within 60 days.

In rare cases, where an injury is not identified until later or there are other extenuating circumstances, it may be possible to extend the statute of limitations.

There is no defined limit, calculator, or table to work from when calculating slip and fall accident injury claims.

Every claim is treated according to the unique circumstances. That’s why it’s important to go over your case in detail with an experienced slip and fall lawyer, who can assess your situation and help you determine how much compensation should be paid to you.

A slip and fall lawyer at Auger Hollingsworth will be able to estimate compensation based on the facts of the case and, if necessary, an investigation and expert medical opinion.

Compensation may include the following:

  • Out of pocket medical expenses e.g., emergency care, hospital visits, medication, etc.
  • Future medical expenses, e.g., if rehabilitation or physiotherapy is needed
  • Expenses that would not have occurred but for the accident, e.g., damaged property
  • Pain and suffering (“general damages”)
  • Lost wages (past loss of income)
  • Future loss of income

If your injuries are severe enough to keep you off work and involve a long period of recovery, the claim is likely to be significantly more than if you can return to work relatively quickly.

Sometimes, with the most serious injuries (like spinal or brain injuries), a return to the same career as before the accident is impossible for the victim – and this will be taken into account when damages are awarded.

In such cases, occupational therapists may be called in to assess future medical needs and actuaries or accountants will need to calculate future losses. We will be as precise and thorough as possible with your claim.

This is a difficult question to answer. It will depend on your relationship with the property owner or occupier and the specific circumstances of the accident.

Legally, if the property owner was negligent and you suffered injuries as a result, you have the same right to file a claim as against any negligent party.

Whether you do so may depend on the extent of your injuries and how well you know the at-fault party. It’s much more difficult to file a lawsuit against someone you are friendly with than a business owner who you’ve never met, for instance.

You can discuss the circumstances of your accident with one of our slip and fall lawyers, who will outline your legal options.

A slip and fall accident can have a range of injuries from minor to serious. Either way, a fall can severely impact the way you go about living your day-to-day life while trying to recover. However, is it practical for all slip and fall victims to seek compensation for your injuries?

Not every time you slip and fall is there a claim. However, if you can prove there was negligence by someone in control of the property where you fell, you may have a claim. For the most part, if the injuries and discomfort are minor and completely disappear within a few days to three weeks you may not want to follow through with a claim. However, if your pain persists for more than a month you may have a valid claim. The injury lawyers at Brenda Hollingsworth’s office can provide you with a free consultation to explain your rights and current situation.

Lianne Laing and Brenda Hollingsworth answer a caller’s question on CTV Morning Live about suing for an Ontario slip and fall accident and what the best course of action is depending on the severity of the injuries.

During these snowy and slippery Ottawa winter days, it is common for many of us to lose our balance and maybe suffer a fall. Most of the time such situations don’t involve other individuals or fault of any kind, but on occasion, a fall can be attributed to someone’s action, or inaction. Legally speaking, a slip and fall case is one where an individual is injured after a “slip and fall” which was due to the intent or negligence of another person. An individual who suffers this kind of injury may be entitled to compensation.

A slip and fall can occur on private, public, or commercial property. If you have suffered an injury due to a neighbour’s icy driveway, the parking lot at work, or the pavement outside of a restaurant, it is possible that you have a slip and fall case that can be legally pursued. Commercial property owners in particular have a responsibility to keep their properties safe for the public. If a property owner fails to maintain safe conditions outside his or her establishment, they can be held responsible for compensating those injured due to their negligence. If you think you may have a slip and fall case, the first thing to do is to contact a personal injury lawyer who can help you identify the key aspects of your case and can help you determine if your situation can be legally pursued. Your lawyer will collect evidence, speak to the property owner, and possibly interview witnesses of the event, which will help to strengthen your case.

Walking in Ottawa can be a dangerous endeavor during the winter, especially since we can sometimes get rain, snow, hail and extreme temperatures during our winter months. These weather factors can create the ideal conditions for a slip and fall so be careful when you’re out walking your dog, pushing a stroller or meeting friends outside a cafe. In the event that you suffer a slip and fall, think about contacting a lawyer and finding out if you may be entitled to financial compensation.

During the winter after an ice storm, or rapid temperature drop, slip and fall accidents are a common occurrence. However, a question that arises is how to properly go about reporting the accident when it is on municipal property.

When an Ottawa slip and fall accident occurs on municipal property you have 2 years to file a claim. However, there can be shorter notice periods. You need to file a notice with the municipality indicating you were hurt and that there is a possibility of a claim. You should do this before anything else.

Watch as Lianne Laing and Brenda Hollingsworth answer a caller’s question about a slip and fall accident on municipal property and the right course of action to take on CTV Morning Live.

A fractured pelvis is very debilitating. Because the pelvis houses so many internal organs, pelvic fractures can result in significant internal bleeding. The pelvis is also vital in daily activities such as walking, running and biking, but when it is fractured, mobility is severely limited.

For the elderly, the most common cause of a pelvic fracture is a slip and fall. For younger folks, the pelvis must be directly impacted by a strong force in order to fracture. Car and motorcycle accidents are leading causes of pelvic fractures because there is such a strong force created when two cars collide at high speeds.

The pelvis is composed of three bones that are connected at the base of the spine by connective tissue. The pelvis is the structure that connects the lower body to the legs.

If you have suffered a pelvic fracture in an accident caused by someone’s negligence, you may have a serious claim for damages. Contact a personal injury lawyer for more information about your claim.

If you file a claim against a negligent party for a slip and fall injury, the settlement can take weeks, months or years.

It depends on many factors, such as the extent of your injuries, the difficulties with proving fault, the complexity of the investigations, the size of the potential claim, whether the claim is contested, and so on.

Slip and fall accident victims often find that the insurance company of the at-fault party approaches them early on for a quick settlement. However, this may not be in their best interests.

If this happens to you, don’t sign any paperwork until you have had a personal injury lawyer review the offer. Once you sign the settlement, you will waive your right to legal action.

Allowing an experienced lawyer to handle the communications with the insurance company might not be the quickest option but it is more likely to result in you receiving fair compensation for your injuries.

If you have sustained injuries from a slip and fall accident in Ontario, start by discussing your case during a free case evaluation with a personal injury lawyer at Auger Hollingsworth.

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