Whether you’re shopping, eating at a restaurant, or simply walking down the street in Alberta, it may never cross your mind that property hazards can lead to a sudden fall. Sadly, slip and fall accidents happen every day when property owners or managers fail to maintain a reasonably safe environment for visitors. These accidents often lead to painful injuries, financial stress, and uncertainty about what to do next.
If an unsafe condition causes you to trip, slip, or fall on someone else’s property, you don’t have to deal with the aftermath of the accident alone. Our Alberta slip and fall lawyers provide compassionate support and dedicated legal advocacy to help those injured in an unexpected fall pursue justice.
Contact us for a free consultation to learn more about your rights, legal options, and how our supportive team can guide you through this difficult time.
Get answers to the following topics and questions:
- What Is Considered a Slip and Fall Accident?
- Common Causes of Slip and Fall Accidents in Alberta?
- What Types of Injuries Are Caused by Slip and Fall Accidents?
- Who Can Be Held Responsible for an Alberta Slip and Fall Accident?
- Steps to Take After a Slip and Fall Accident
- What Compensation Is Available if You’re Injured in a Slip and Fall Accident?
- Why Choose Litco Law for Your Alberta Slip and Fall Claim?
- Frequently Asked Questions About Slip and Fall Accidents in Alberta
- Speak With Our Alberta Slip and Fall Legal Team Today
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What Is Considered a Slip and Fall Accident?
A slip and fall accident can occur when a property “occupier” does not address hazards, and someone falls as a result. Under Alberta’s Occupiers’ Liability Act, a property occupier is a person who is in physical possession of the premises or a person who has responsibility for, and control over, the condition of premises, the activities conducted on the premises, and the persons allowed to enter the premises.
If you were injured on someone else’s property, it’s important to know that property owners, managers, and other occupiers have a legal responsibility to take reasonable care to keep people safe. If you were invited, allowed, or legally on the property, you should be able to use it without being exposed to preventable risks.
Common Causes of Slip and Fall Accidents in Alberta?
Slip and fall accidents can happen on public or private property, including grocery stores, homes, apartment complexes, restaurants, and office buildings. Different types of hazards on these properties can lead to slip and fall accidents, including:
- Liquid or food spills
- Uneven or damaged flooring
- Clutter in aisles or walkways
- Broken stairs or handrails
- Inadequate lighting
- Lack of warning signs
- Poor maintenance or repairs
- Icy, snowy, or slippery sidewalks
While property owners can’t change or prevent harsh winter weather, they do have a responsibility to reasonably prevent dangerous conditions caused by inclement weather.
What Types of Injuries Are Caused by Slip and Fall Accidents?
Slip and fall accidents can result in different types of injuries, depending on where and how the fall happened. Common slip and fall injuries include:
- Soft tissue injuries: Sprained wrists and ankles, dislocated shoulders, torn tendons and ligaments, bruises
- Broken bones: Fractured wrists, arms, hips, ribs, legs, facial bones
- Head injuries: Skull fractures, head contusions, concussions, other traumatic brain injuries (TBIs)
- Back injuries: Back muscle spasms, herniated disks, fractured vertebrae, damaged nerves, other spinal cord injuries that may lead to paralysis
- Psychological trauma: Anxiety, depression, social withdrawal, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)
If your fall caused severe injuries that require long-term care, a slip and fall lawyer in Alberta will consider your future needs and pursue compensation for all the ways your life has been impacted.
Who Can Be Held Responsible for an Alberta Slip and Fall Accident?
Who is liable (legally responsible) for a slip and fall accident will depend on what led to the incident. Property occupiers have a legal responsibility to keep their properties reasonably safe for visitors. When they fail to exercise reasonable care, resulting in harm or injury to another party (negligence), they could be held liable for the slip and fall accident.
Under Alberta law, property occupiers may include:
- Property owners
- Business managers
- Property managers
- Landlords
- Tenants
Also, if poor repairs or careless maintenance contributed to the slip and fall accident, it’s possible for maintenance companies or other third-party workers to be liable. Because every situation is different, it’s a good idea to consult an experienced Alberta premises liability lawyer for guidance on who may be responsible for your accident and how to move forward.
Steps to Take After a Slip and Fall Accident
If you’re injured on someone else’s property after a slip and fall accident, there are things you can do to protect your health and legal rights. Some steps to keep in mind include:
- When needed, call 911 for assistance and consider seeking medical care for your injuries.
- Report the accident to the property occupier. If possible, get a copy of the incident report.
- If you’re able, take photos or videos of the scene and hazards that may have contributed to the accident.
- When available, gather contact information from any witnesses.
- If you’re under the care of a health care provider, follow your doctor’s treatment plan and medical advice.
- Consider contacting an Alberta premises liability lawyer to discuss your legal options.
We know it’s not always possible to gather details from the scene after a slip and fall accident. Regardless of what steps you were able to take, our trip and fall lawyers in Alberta can take the burden off your shoulders, handle all the legal steps of your claim, and pursue compensation that reflects what you’ve gone through.
What Compensation Is Available if You’re Injured in a Slip and Fall Accident?
A slip and fall accident can lead to financial struggles, missed work, physical pain, and emotional stress as you try to recover. If someone else’s negligence led to your injuries, you may be entitled to compensation for:
- Medical bills
- Cost of future medical care
- Loss of income
- Loss of future earnings
- Pain and suffering
- Emotional distress
- Impact on intimate relationships
- Reduced quality of life
Our lawyers can pursue compensation for your financial losses and the other ways you’ve suffered after the slip and fall accident. We’ll carefully assess how your injuries have affected your life and account for these hardships in your claim.
Why Choose Litco Law for Your Alberta Slip and Fall Claim?
When you’ve been injured in a slip and fall accident, the last thing you need is a complicated legal process. Our goal is to make it easier to access quality legal help from professionals who understand what you’re going through.
Litco Law is a trusted, family-owned law firm, proudly serving clients since 1976. We provide compassionate advocacy and award-winning legal service to injured Albertans. When you work with us, you don’t just get a lawyer. You get your own personal legal team that will be with you throughout the course of your claim. We call this team a “pod,” and it includes a lawyer, a case manager, a client care specialist, and a legal assistant.
We have slip and fall lawyers across Alberta who are ready to help, with offices in:
No Hidden Fees
We believe in fair, transparent pricing with no hidden fees or surprises. If you decide to move forward with our team, we never bill by the hour, and you won’t pay us anything while your claim progresses. Our fee is a percentage of the settlement we recover for you, and you’ll know that percentage before you ever hire us.
Hear From Our Alberta Clients
When life takes an unexpected turn, knowing you’re supported by trusted legal professionals can make all the difference. Here’s what some of our clients have said about their experience with Litco Law:
- “The experience and knowledge [of] the entire Litco team was amazing. I greatly appreciated their support during what was a very difficult time. Strongly recommend.” – Karen K.
- “They provided me information that was very helpful. John was also honest and upfront about what Litco would be able to assist me with. Thank you!” – Ali B.
Frequently Asked Questions About Slip and Fall Accidents in Alberta
Below are answers to some of the questions we often hear about Alberta slip and fall claims. To get answers specific to your situation, reach out to our team at any time.
Is Slip and Fall Liability Difficult to Prove?
Every situation is unique, and proving liability is not a one-size-fits-all process. Although slip and fall claims can be complex, an experienced Alberta lawyer will know what steps to take to identify the at-fault party, prove negligence, and hold the occupier accountable for injuries that happened on their property.
What if the Property Owner Says the Hazard Was Obvious?
A property occupier may try to argue that the hazard was obvious and could have been avoided. However, occupiers still have a responsibility to warn of and remove hazards, regardless of how visible they are.
If you do share some responsibility, you may still be able to recover some compensation under Alberta’s Contributory Negligence Act. However, the amount awarded for your claim is reduced by your percentage of fault. For example, if you are 25% at fault for the slip and fall accident, a $100,000 settlement would be reduced by 25% to $75,000.
How Long Do I Have to File a Slip and Fall Claim in Alberta?
While there are some exceptions, you generally have two years from the date of the slip and fall accident to file an injury claim in Alberta. Missing this deadline could mean losing your right to recover compensation. Consider a free consultation with a legal professional as soon as possible to avoid missing important deadlines that may apply to your claim.
Can I File a Claim if the Fall Happened on Public Property?
Under Alberta’s Municipal Government Act, a local municipality or Alberta government agency may be responsible for injuries that happen on public property, but there may be additional steps when filing a claim against the government Also, bylaws require property owners to remove snow and ice from public sidewalks that border their private property within 24 hours of snowfall ending. Failing to do so could lead to liability (legal responsibility) if someone falls as a result.
Because these types of claims can be complex, it’s a good idea to speak with a lawyer for guidance on your options and next steps.
Speak With Our Alberta Slip and Fall Legal Team Today
When you need a trusted lawyer to guide you through the challenging times that follow a slip and fall accident, Litco Law is here for you. We can handle every step of your claim from start to resolution, so you can focus on what matters most—your health and recovery.
We’re Lawyers You’ll Love because we go above and beyond to pursue the best possible outcome for your claim. Call (403) 273-8580 or contact us online for your free consultation. We’ll help you find the solution, even if we’re not it.
