Written by Amanda Demanda

Slip and Fall Lawyers in Houston, Texas

Slip and fall accidents in Houston, TX, commonly occur at grocery stores, restaurants, office buildings, and private residences, among other places. These accidents can lead to serious injuries such as broken bones, head trauma, or spinal cord damage. Under Texas law, property owners have a duty to maintain safe conditions and can be held liable if their negligence results in a slip and fall injury. Victims of these accidents may face high medical bills, lost wages, and prolonged pain and suffering.

At Amanda Demanda Injury Lawyers, our experienced Houston slip and fall attorneys understand the complexities of premises liability law and are ready to investigate the details of your case, gather evidence, and hold negligent property owners accountable. With a proven track record of large settlements and verdicts for our clients, our personal injury lawyers in Houston will relentlessly pursue maximum compensation for your injuries and losses.

Slip and Fall Accident Laws in Texas

Slip and fall accidents in Texas fall under the broader category of premises liability law, which governs the responsibility of property owners and occupiers to maintain safe conditions for visitors. Texas law holds that if a hazardous condition on the property causes a slip and fall injury, the property owner or occupier may be liable if they were aware of the danger, or should have been aware through reasonable inspection, and failed to remedy it.

Visitor Classification: Invitees, Licensees, and Trespassers

Texas premises liability law classifies visitors into three distinct categories: invitees, licensees, and trespassers. Each category is afforded a different level of legal protection under the law:

Invitees: This group typically includes customers or guests invited onto the property for the mutual benefit of both parties, such as shoppers in a store. Texas law imposes the highest duty of care to invitees. Property owners must regularly inspect the premises and repair or warn of any hazardous conditions that could foreseeably cause harm. Failure to do so can result in liability (Texas Civil Practice and Remedies Code § 75.002).
Licensees: Licensees are individuals who enter a property for their own purposes, such as social guests. The duty of care here is lower than for invitees. Property owners must only warn licensees of known dangers that are not obvious (Texas Civil Practice and Remedies Code § 75.003).
Trespassers: Trespassers enter the property without permission. Property owners owe a very limited duty to trespassers, generally only refraining from intentionally causing harm. However, when the trespasser is a child, special protections apply under the “attractive nuisance doctrine.”

Proving Negligence in Slip and Fall Cases

To establish negligence in a slip and fall case, the injured party must demonstrate the following:

The property owner had actual or constructive knowledge of the dangerous condition.
The owner failed to remedy or warn of the hazard within a reasonable time.
The dangerous condition directly caused the injury sustained.

It is not enough to simply show that an injury occurred; proving the owner’s awareness or that they should have been aware of the danger is critical to a successful claim.

Actual vs. Constructive Knowledge of the Property Owner

In Houston slip and fall cases, the property owner’s knowledge of a dangerous condition can be classified as either actual or constructive. Actual knowledge means the owner or occupier was directly aware of the hazard, such as when an employee observes a spill but does not clean it up.

Constructive knowledge refers to situations where the property owner should have known about the dangerous condition through reasonable care and inspection, even if they did not have direct knowledge. For example, if a spill has been on the floor for an extended period and no efforts were made to address it, the property owner could be deemed to have constructive knowledge, making them potentially liable for any resulting injuries.

Legs Of A Fallen Woman Next To A Slippery Warning Sign

Proportionate Responsibility Rule in Houston, TX

Texas follows a modified comparative negligence system known as the proportionate responsibility rule (Texas Civil Practice and Remedies Code § 33.001). Under this rule, if the injured party is found to be partially at fault for the accident, their compensation will be reduced in proportion to their percentage of fault. For example, if a victim is found to be 20% responsible for their slip and fall, their total damages will be reduced by 20%. However, if the injured party is found to be more than 50% at fault, they will be barred from recovering any damages at all.

Common Causes of Slip and Fall Accidents in Houston, TX

In the experience of our slip and fall injury attorneys Houston, some of the key causes of slip and fall accidents in the city include:

Wet or slippery floors: Often caused by spills, leaks, or recently cleaned surfaces that aren’t properly marked with warning signs.
Uneven flooring or sidewalks: Damaged tiles, cracked sidewalks, or changes in elevation that create trip hazards.
Poor lighting: Insufficient or dim lighting in stairwells, hallways, or parking lots, making it difficult to see hazards.
Cluttered walkways: Objects like cords, boxes, or debris left in walkways can cause unexpected trips and falls.
Loose or torn carpeting: Worn or improperly installed carpeting can create tripping hazards in both residential and commercial spaces.
Defective stairways: Broken handrails, uneven steps, or missing treads increase the risk of falls on stairs.
Unsecured mats or rugs: Improperly placed or unsecured mats and rugs can shift underfoot, leading to trips or slips.
Escalators or elevators: Malfunctions or sudden stops in escalators and elevators can cause people to lose their balance and fall.
Obstructed exits or emergency routes: Blocked or poorly marked exits can lead to confusion and trips during emergencies, especially in crowded areas.
Failure to maintain premises: Lack of routine maintenance, such as ignoring building repairs or failing to address known hazards, can lead to preventable slip and fall accidents.

Common Locations in Houston Where Slip and Fall Accidents are More Frequent

At Amanda Demanda Injury Lawyers, our Houston premises liability lawyers will strongly represent you in your slip and fall lawsuit, no matter whether you suffered an accident at a private or public location, including the following:

Grocery stores: Slippery floors from spills or wet cleaning can lead to slip and fall accidents in these high-traffic areas.
Restaurants: Food and drink spills, along with crowded conditions, increase the risk of falls in dining establishments.
Hotels and motels: Slippery lobby floors, uneven surfaces in hallways, and poorly maintained staircases can lead to slip and fall accidents for guests and staff in these establishments.
Shopping malls: Crowded walkways and escalators, combined with maintenance issues, create potential hazards for shoppers.
Parking lots: Poorly maintained surfaces, uneven pavement, and weather-related hazards contribute to slip and fall incidents in parking areas.
Sidewalks and public streets: Cracks, uneven surfaces, or obstacles can cause pedestrians to trip and fall on public walkways.
Office buildings: Cluttered hallways, wet floors from cleaning, or damaged flooring can lead to slip and fall accidents in commercial spaces.
Gyms and fitness centers: Wet floors from sweat or spills and equipment left in walkways can create hazards for gym-goers.
Hospitals and medical facilities: High foot traffic, spills, and uneven flooring in these environments can increase the risk of falls among patients and visitors.
Amusement parks: Wet surfaces from water rides or food spills, along with the crowding of visitors, can lead to accidents.
Construction sites: Uneven ground, debris, and equipment can create significant slip and fall hazards in ongoing construction areas.

How Our Slip and Fall Attorneys in Houston, TX Prove the Liability of Negligent Parties

At Amanda Demanda Injury Lawyers, our slip and fall lawyers in Houston will move fast to collect the following types of evidence to prove the liability of the defendants.

Incident reports: Documentation from the property owner or manager detailing the circumstances of the slip and fall accident.
Witness statements: Testimonies from individuals who observed the accident or the hazardous condition leading to the fall.
Photographs and videos: Visual evidence of the accident scene, including the specific location of the fall, the hazardous condition, and any relevant environmental factors.
Maintenance records: Documents showing the property owner’s maintenance history, including inspections and repairs related to the hazardous condition.
Surveillance footage: Video recordings from security cameras that may capture the incident or the hazardous condition before the accident.
Accident scene diagrams: Detailed sketches or diagrams illustrating the layout of the accident scene, including the location of the hazard and the victim’s position at the time of the fall.
Expert testimony: Opinions from safety experts or engineers regarding the hazardous conditions and whether they meet industry safety standards.
Property owner communications: Emails, messages, or other correspondence that indicate the property owner’s knowledge of the dangerous condition prior to the accident.
Past incident reports: Records of prior slip and fall accidents at the same location can demonstrate a pattern of negligence or unsafe conditions that the property owner failed to address.
Local safety codes and regulations: Documentation of applicable laws and safety standards that the property owner may have violated, contributing to the slip and fall incident.

Man On The Floor Holding His Knee Next To A Wet Floor Sign

Steps Our Houston Slip and Fall Attorneys Will Take to Maximize Your Compensation

Compassionate Listening and Support

At Amanda Demanda Injury Lawyers, we begin by listening to your account of the events with genuine care, whether you’re at the hospital, recovering at home, or visiting our office. This compassionate approach helps us fully understand your situation while providing you with the encouragement and confidence you need during this difficult time.

Ensuring Proper Medical Care

Your health and well-being are our top priorities. Our fall lawyer in Houston will work diligently to ensure you receive the appropriate medical treatment, guiding you in obtaining the best care possible. This focus on your physical and mental well-being is essential for a safe and swift recovery from your injuries.

Swift Evidence Collection

Time is critical when building a strong case, so we move quickly to organize all medical documents and gather relevant evidence. Our legal team will issue demand letters and spoliation letters to preserve any critical evidence, ensuring that your case is well-supported.

Filing Your Civil Claim

The fight for the rights of slip and fall victims begins with filing your injury claim. Our Houston slip and fall accident lawyers will help you file a civil claim for damages accurately and promptly. Our team ensures that all legal formalities are followed, taking the burden off your shoulders so you can focus on healing.

Protecting You from Insurer Tactics

Dealing with the complexities of insurance claims can be overwhelming but we are here to shield you from the unfair tactics often used by insurance companies. Our seasoned slip and fall accident attorneys in Houston will strongly advocate for your rights, ensuring you are treated fairly throughout the process.

Professional Negotiations on Your Behalf

Our attorneys are skilled at engaging in professional negotiations on your behalf, backed by the evidence we gather to strengthen your case. Our Houston trip and fall attorney will advocate for your best interests, aiming for a fair settlement that reflects the extent of your injuries and losses.

Trial Preparation and Expert Engagement

Even while negotiations are ongoing, our slip and fall lawyer will prepare for the possibility of a trial by hiring accident reconstructionists and other experts if necessary. This preparation demonstrates our resolve and enhances our negotiating position to achieve the settlement you deserve.

Our Top-Rated Houston, TX Slip and Fall Lawyers are Ready to Fight for You

If you or a loved one has suffered injuries from a slip and fall accident in Houston, now is the time to take action. Our award-winning Houston slip and fall attorney, Amanda Demanda, and her legal team are determined to vigorously pursue the largest compensation you are entitled to. With a remarkable history of settlements and verdicts and an unyielding dedication to our clients, Amanda Demanda Injury Lawyers is prepared to confront powerful entities and large insurance companies that aim to undervalue your claim. Don’t settle for less—reach out to us today and let our legal team fight for the justice and compensation you need. To schedule your free consultation, call us 24/7 at 1-844-DEMANDA or contact us online.

Abogados para Latinos - At Amanda Demanda Injury Lawyers, we understand the importance of having legal representation that speaks your language and understands your culture. That’s why we have a dedicated team of native Spanish-speaking attorneys and staff who are ready to assist you. We are proud to serve Miami's vibrant Hispanic community, offering compassionate and culturally sensitive legal services in both English and Spanish. Whether you're more comfortable speaking Spanish or simply want a Spanish-fluent lawyer who understands the unique challenges faced by Latinos, our team is here to provide you with the support and expertise you need to navigate the legal system with confidence.