The causes of falls are often some unsafe property conditions, and there is often dispute about how visible a danger was, how long it existed, and whether a property owner was aware of it. In general, some of the most common causes of slip and fall accidents include, but are not limited to:

• Cracked or uneven flooring
• Dirty or cluttered floors
• Torn floor mats
• Stray electrical cords and wires
• Inadequate lighting
• Defects in pavement
• Broken handrails
• Wet, slippery flooring

Slip and fall accidents only have a statute of limitations of one year, which is a very short window of time to commence legal action and means that victims should seek legal representation as soon as possible. Even if your own actions contributed to the accident, you could still be able to secure some compensation for the harm you’ve suffered. Louisiana is one of a dozen states in the country that uses a pure comparative fault system of apportioning damages. This means that any person is entitled to sue another person regardless of their degree of negligence (although damages can be reduced in proportion to a person’s percentage of negligence).

Economic damages include:

• Past and future lost income
• Past and future medical expenses
• Medical equipment costs
• Full-time personal assistance costs
• Property damage

Non-economic damages include:

• Loss of enjoyment of life
• Pain and suffering
• Loss of consortium
• Emotional distress
• Loss of services