Wisconsin Slip and Fall Attorney

Holding Businesses and Property Owners Accountable

A major slip, trip, or fall accident can lead to more than bumps and bruises. These injuries can cause severe fractures and head trauma. The chronic pain and limitations on mobility may keep you from accomplishing daily tasks or from doing your job. If you’re worried about paying your medical bills, the cost of physical rehabilitation, or lost wages, the slip and fall lawyers at Bye, Goff & Rohde are ready to go to work for you.

Our Wisconsin slip and fall attorney team has over 180 years of combined legal experience. We’ve seen a myriad of accident injuries throughout Wisconsin and can put you in the best position to win against corporate attorneys and insurance companies.

Whatever the cause of your accident, our lawyers stand ready to take your side in a dispute. For a free consultation with our experienced Wisconsin slip and fall attorneys, contact Bye, Goff & Rohde today. You can also reach our offices by phone at 715-425-8161.

How Common Are Slip, Trip, and Fall Accidents?

Slips and falls may be more common than you realize. National Safety Council (NSC) Injury Facts noted that falls were the leading cause of non-fatal injuries nationwide, with more than 8.8 million serious falls recorded in 2023. The NSC also found that falls are the second-leading cause of injury-related death in America.

These numbers apply to people at home as well as in the workplace, which goes to show how common falls are throughout Wisconsin.

Falls Can Cause Serious Injuries in the Elderly

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), more than 14 million adults ages 65 and older report falling each year. That’s approximately 1 in 4 seniors nationwide. Statewide data support these findings. The CDC recorded more than 270,000 elderly Wisconsinites who reported falling in 2020.

Among the elderly, a fall can cause severe injuries, including bone fractures and joint injuries. In fact, the CDC cited falls as the leading cause of injury-related death among people age 65 and older.

How Long Do I Have to File a Slip and Fall Accident Lawsuit?

Per Wisconsin Statute § 893.54, you typically have three years from the date of a slip, trip, or fall accident to file a lawsuit. Once this three-year statute of limitations has passed, you will not be able to take legal action.

Keep in mind that there could be exceptions to the three-year deadline depending on the circumstances of your case and the parties involved. That’s why it’s best to speak with the Wisconsin slip and fall lawyers at Bye, Goff & Rohde as soon as possible. We can let you know if you have a case and what steps to take next to secure evidence and compensation.

Common Causes of Slip & Fall Accidents

There are several common causes of slip and fall accidents. These are some of the most common reasons people suffer serious falls in Wisconsin.

Wet or Slippery Surfaces: Wet floors and slippery floors are a major cause of these accidents. Spills or recently mopped floors can make surfaces slippery and hazardous.
Lack of Warning Signs: Failure to place warning signs near recently cleaned or wet areas can increase the risk of accidents. Employees, business owners, and property owners need to alert others of potential hazards.
Uneven Surfaces: Cracks in sidewalks, potholes, uneven flooring, loose rugs or carpets, extension cords, or damaged flooring can cause someone to trip or lose balance.
Poor Lighting: Inadequate lighting can conceal potential hazards or make it difficult for individuals to see obstacles, increasing the risk of tripping or slipping.
Clutter or Obstacles: Objects left in walkways or aisles can cause people to trip and fall. These kinds of hazards are common when shelves are being stocked or premises are being cleaned.
Wet Weather Conditions: Here in Wisconsin, we get a fair share of snow, ice, rain, and other winter weather. As people enter buildings or stand near an entrance, the moisture that drips from boots, umbrellas, and jackets can create slippery surfaces.
Improper Footwear: Wearing inappropriate footwear on slippery or uneven surfaces can contribute to slip and fall accidents. This is often a particular hazard for employees in certain industries and workplaces.
Negligence or Lack of Maintenance: When property owners or managers fail to maintain safe conditions or promptly address known hazards, their reluctance to act can lead to major slip, trip, and fall accidents.

No matter the cause or contributing factors in your accident, our Wisconsin slip and fall attorneys will carefully investigate what happened and determine who can be held liable.

Places Where Slip, Trip, and Fall Accidents Often Occur

Slip, trip, and fall accidents can occur virtually anywhere in Wisconsin. However, there are specific locations where these incidents tend to happen more frequently.

Grocery, Convenience, and Retail Stores

Convenience stores like Kwik Trip with frequent employee turnover often are locations where cleaning or maintenance protocols may be skipped causing hazardous conditions both in and outside. Supermarkets, malls, and retail outlets often have polished floors, spills, or cluttered aisles that can contribute to slip-and-fall accidents. These kinds of accidents can happen at a local Hy-Vee or Festival Foods, or while visiting Target and Walmart.

Restaurants, Bars, and Cafes

Kitchens and dining areas in restaurants, bars, and cafes may have wet or greasy floors, which can contribute to slips and falls. For patrons, there are ample hazards in waiting areas or en route to restrooms. For kitchen staff and servers, the dangers are heightened given how much time is spent maneuvering through different areas of an establishment.

Sidewalks and Streets

Uneven pavements, cracks, potholes, unshoveled snow, or debris on sidewalks and streets can cause pedestrians to trip and fall. These dangers are even greater for elderly people simply trying to get fresh air out in the community. Wisconsin homeowners, business owners, and local municipalities could be held responsible for unsafe sidewalks and streets.

Workplaces

Offices, factories, warehouses, and construction sites can have various hazards like loose cables, wet floors, or uneven surfaces. A slip, trip, or fall could result in a serious workplace accident. At Bye, Goff & Rohde, we can help injured workers file a third-party claim to supplement their workers’ comp benefits.

Hospitals and Nursing Homes

Many medical facilities throughout Wisconsin have polished floors. Any spills or inadequate precautions can lead to accidents. In assisted-living facilities and senior communities, these dangers have to be taken seriously because of how serious falls are for the elderly.

Residential Properties

Homes, apartment complexes, or rental properties might have hazards like poorly maintained stairs, loose rugs, or inadequate lighting. Our law offices in Eau Claire, La Crosse, and River Falls have helped local residents hold property owners accountable for neglecting repairs and various safety violations.

Public Transportation Areas

Bus stops, train stations, and platforms can be susceptible to slip and fall accidents due to weather conditions or inadequate maintenance. For these kinds of accidents, Wisconsin authorities or local municipalities could be held accountable for unsafe conditions.

Parks and Recreational Areas

We often think of parks and trails as peaceful and a way to commune with nature, yet there are dangers in these serene spaces. Wet grass, uneven pathways, or obstacles in parks can contribute to falls. Our law firm can hold local municipalities throughout Wisconsin accountable if they contributed to a major slip, trip, or fall.

Proving Liability in a Slip & Fall Claim

Determining liability in a slip and fall accident involves assessing several factors to determine who is responsible for the hazardous conditions that led to the incident. To succeed in a slip and fall case in Wisconsin, our lawyers must establish liability. Several elements typically need to be proven:

Duty of Care: The property owner or occupier had a legal responsibility (duty of care) to maintain reasonably safe premises for visitors or customers.
Breach of Duty: There was a breach of that duty, meaning the property owner or occupier failed to take reasonable steps to address known hazards or should have been aware of them.
Notice of Hazard: It needs to be established that the owner knew about the hazardous condition or should have known about it through regular inspection, or because it existed for a sufficient amount of time that they reasonably should have been aware of it.
Causation: The hazardous condition directly caused the slip and fall accident and subsequent injuries.
Damages: The injured party suffered actual damages, such as medical bills, lost wages, pain, and suffering, as a result of the accident.

Key Evidence for a Successful Slip and Fall Claim

To succeed in a slip and fall case, you must gather evidence to support these elements. If you were seriously hurt while at a business, residence, or public place in Wisconsin, our slip and fall attorneys recommend that you gather the following evidence:

Documentation: Take photos of the accident scene, the hazardous condition, and your injuries. Report the incident to the property owner or manager and ask for an incident report.
Witness Statements: Obtain contact information and statements from any witnesses who saw you slip, trip, or fall.
Medical Records: Seek medical attention immediately and keep records of all treatments received, including diagnoses, prescriptions, and bills. Not all injuries are immediately apparent, so see a doctor even if you seem okay.
Maintenance Records: If applicable, request maintenance or inspection records to determine if the property owner was aware of the slip, trip, or fall hazard.
Proving Notice: Demonstrating that the property owner knew about the hazard or should have known about it often requires thorough investigation and evidence collection.

Establishing liability in a slip and fall case can be complex, and laws regarding premises liability vary by jurisdiction. That’s why you need slip and fall lawyers in Wisconsin who understand the minutiae of premises liability laws. This attention to detail can be crucial in determining the strength of your case and navigating the legal process effectively.

Why Choose Bye, Goff & Rohde for Your Slip and Fall Case

At Bye, Goff & Rohde, we don’t think of our clients as case numbers. You are one of our neighbors, and our goal is to make sure you’re cared for and fairly compensated after a major slip, trip, or fall injury. We believe the best feature of Wisconsin is the people, just like you and your family.

Fighting for Wisconsinites Since 1974

Bye, Goff & Rohde has represented accident victims all over Wisconsin for over 50 years. Our law firm continues to endure because we focus on our clients, their families, and their lives. We take the time to listen to you and hear your unique story.

More Than 180 Years of Combined Legal Experience

When you hire our firm, you’re not just hiring a slip and fall attorney—you’re hiring an army. Our lawyers have more than 180 years of combined experience. We will use that collective knowledge to build a strong slip and fall case.

A Reputation for Great Legal Results

Our law firm has fought to secure maximum compensation for accident victims all over Wisconsin. We encourage you to view our past verdicts and settlements to get a sense of what we can do for you after a serious injury.

Clients Don’t Pay Unless We Win

Our attorneys offer free consultations and accept cases on a contingency fee basis. That means clients don’t pay upfront legal fees. We will not collect a dime from you unless we are able to win or settle your slip and fall case. When you win, we win. We are in this together.

We Can Travel to You

Recovering from a major fall could require extensive medical treatment and long-term care. To avoid unnecessary strain, our lawyers can travel to your home in any city throughout Wisconsin to address your needs. Demanding justice should not be a physical or financial burden to you.

Trial Mentality: Our Firm Won’t Accept a Lowball Settlement

From the day we begin to work for you, our Wisconsin slip and fall attorneys prepare as though this case will go to trial. Even as we negotiate a settlement with insurance companies, Bye, Goff & Rohde is ready and willing to go to court for you and your family.

Our trial mentality is part of our reputation, and it benefits the people of Wisconsin who are just trying to pay their medical bills and live with dignity.

Most attorneys are prepared to settle. Not Bye, Goff & Rohde. Insurance companies know that about us, and they understand that we are not afraid to go to trial. They cannot take advantage of you with an unfair settlement offer. We are comfortable in the courtroom, especially if it means doing what’s right for accident victims here in Wisconsin who were injured because they slipped or fell.

Contact Our Wisconsin Slip and Fall Attorney Law Firm

If you were seriously injured because a business or property owner failed to keep their premises safe, you need our law firm on your side. To request a free consultation with our experienced Wisconsin slip and fall attorney team, contact Bye, Goff & Rohde today. You can also reach our offices in Eau Claire, La Crosse, and River Falls by phone at 715-425-8161.