Sidewalk Falls Injuries Lawyer | Adam S. Kutner

Can you file a claim for tripping on the pavement?

Yes. You may be able to file a claim if you were injured in a sidewalk fall. Whether you can file a claim depends on where your sidewalk injury happened and who owns the property where your injury occurred. Your claim could be brought against a property owner’s insurance company, or you can hold the property owner themselves civilly liable for your injury. 

Common types of injuries that could lead you to file a claim include:

• Broken sidewalks and pavement in public locations
• Uneven sidewalk that causes a bike injury
• Slick sidewalks that have not been properly cleaned after inclement weather 
• Debris that causes uneven sidewalks and poses a trip hazard
• Sidewalks on property that is owned by a landlord
• Broken sidewalks and pavement that should have been blocked off to traffic but were not

What is premises liability law in Nevada? 

Under Nevada’s premises liability law, NV Rev Stat § 41.515, property owners have a duty to keep spaces accessible to visitors and others free and clear of hazards that could cause an injury. Depending on the circumstances, premises liability law may allow someone who has suffered a sidewalk injury the ability to take legal action. 

Generally, premises liability law can apply if you were

• Lawfully on the property where your slip and fall happened
• The property owner had a legal duty to take reasonable steps to ensure your safety
• You can provide evidence showing the property owner violated their duty
• You suffered damages as a result of your injury 

Nevada’s premises liability law applies to more than just sidewalk injuries. This law is designed to protect individuals who are injured on someone else’s property on someone else’s property. Common injuries that can fall under premises liability can include the following:  

• Head and neck injuries 
• Traumatic brain injuries
• Facial injuries, including dental and eye injuries
• Back and spine injuries
• Soft tissue damage
• Broken bones 

What to do after falling on the sidewalk?

If you trip while walking on the sidewalk or pavement, it’s important to take your injury seriously. This is especially the case if you are older, are already recovering from a previous injury, or have fallen and hit your head, neck, or spine. 

• Assess your injuries: Examine your body and the areas of impact to assess your injury. If you have hit your head, neck, or spine or have open wounds because of the fall, seek medical attention as soon as possible. If you wait too long to seek medical attention after your injury, it can be harder to prove that your injuries were because of the sidewalk fall. 
• Document the scene: Take images of the pavement where your injury happened. Pictures of cracks, broken pavement, and potholes can help prove your case. Be sure to include pictures of the overall area as well. If your accident happened on a sidewalk or pavement that should have been closed off to the public but was not, you could hold the property owner responsible for their negligence in failing to close the area off. 
• Speak with a lawyer: Depending on the circumstances of your case, you may be able to take legal action in order to recover compensation for your injuries. Speak with Adam S. Kutner’s injury attorneys in Las Vegas when you schedule your free case consultation and get a thorough analysis of the strength of your case. A premises liability lawyer can help you better understand your legal options. 

Who is responsible for the sidewalk in front of my house in Las Vegas?

If you were injured in a sidewalk accident in front of your house, you may be able to file a claim for your injuries. However, it depends on where the injury happened and what injuries you have sustained. 

The property owner is your landlord

If you are a tenant and your home is owned by a landlord and your uneven sidewalk injury happened on pavement that belongs to the house, your landlord could be held responsible. Under premises liability, landlords have a legal duty to provide a safe property for tenants to live in. They could be liable for their negligence in keeping you safe if they violate this duty. If you are the homeowner of the property and are injured, you might not have as strong a case.

A third party worked on the sidewalk

If you are a homeowner and your defective sidewalks resulted from a third-party contractor or another company hired to work on your sidewalk, you may be able to bring a case against them. Contractors and employees have a duty to make sure their work does not cause harm to others. 

Public sidewalks 

In some cases, the city or the municipality might own the sidewalk in front of a Las Vegas home you live in. In this case, you may be able to take legal action against those property owners. A Las Vegas sidewalk falls injuries lawyer can help you better understand the liable parties in your case and your legal options. 

Speak with a premises liability lawyer 

Get the legal guidance you deserve when you contact the team at Adam S. Kutner. Schedule your free case consultation today to work with the best slip-and-fall accident attorney in Las Vegas.