Accidents involving slips and falls can result in severe injuries, and occur in large numbers across the nation. In 2020, there were over 42,000 deaths as a result of falls, according to Injury Facts, with more than 6.8 million emergency room visits in 2019 for fall-related injuries. Falls are the leading cause of deaths for the elderly. Many of these falls take place at bars or restaurants, so you should be aware and know the steps to take if a slip and fall injury occurs.

When an injury is sustained in a slip and fall accident, your main concern should be to seek medical care as soon as possible. After being treated, you want to think about your legal options and what you should do next.

If you were hurt in a slip-and-fall accident at a bar or restaurant in Connecticut, you may be asking yourself if you can seek compensation since you have medical bills associated with the injury and you even missed work. The answer is yes, you can. However, the circumstances will determine if you have a case or not.

Can I Sue a Bar or Restaurant for a Slip and Fall Injury in Connecticut?

If the accident was caused by the bar owner's negligence, then yes, you can sue for a slip and fall accident.

Property owners, including restaurant or bar owners, have a duty to keep their establishment safe for their patrons. If it is ruled that the owner was irresponsible and you were hurt after slipping and falling in a Connecticut bar, you can be eligible for compensation. However, proving negligence is not always so simple. Therefore, working with a skilled Connecticut slip and fall lawyer is vital to the success of a slip and fall case and receiving compensation.

How to Establish Negligence in a Slip and Fall Case

The injured party must demonstrate that the manager or owner of the business was negligent in maintaining the property and that there was a dangerous condition that caused you to slip, fall and sustain injury.

Bar or restaurant owners have a duty to correct any slip-and-fall hazards and notify patrons of potentially dangerous situations, including beverages spilt on a tile floor or uneven flooring.

After an accident, taking notes of the scene can be extremely helpful to your case. This includes snapping photos, taking down information from any witnesses who were present, and reporting the incident. In order to win a slip-and-fall lawsuit in Connecticut, you must be able to prove negligence with evidence.

Connecticut's Statute of Limitations Period

How long after a slip and fall can you sue for? This is a very important deadline to be aware of. You have a two-year statute of limitations if you slip and fall and are injured. This is true whether you're making a claim for an injury or damaged property.

This time period starts the moment you sustain an injury. Two years may seem like a lot of time, but it can pass far more quickly than you might anticipate. It would be best to file a case as soon as possible if you intend to do so. Remember that both businesses and personal property are subject to these deadlines.

Compensation in Connecticut Slip and Fall Cases

Because insurance companies simply do not want to spend any money on the fees connected with taking cases to court, a lot of slip and fall claims are resolved with a settlement. Trials turn out to be inevitable in some circumstances.

A person has only two years from the date of the accident to file a lawsuit, according to Connecticut General Statutes 52-584. If you wait too long to file, you forfeit your right to file a claim.

If you are successful, you may be awarded compensatory damages, which typically consist of a mix of both economic and non-economic.

Specific expenses a victim has incurred or may incur as a result of their injuries are called economic damages, and these may include:

• medical expenses
• lost income
• property damage

Non-economic damages are more arbitrary, yet they are real damages that can and are awarded in some cases. These damages are usually related to pain and suffering, emotional distress, disfigurement or loss of consortium.

There's also punitive damages, otherwise known as exemplary damages. However, they are extremely uncommon and not awarded in the majority of slip and fall injury cases, unless under extreme circumstances.

Common Reasons for Slips and Falls

Slips and falls can happen everywhere, including bars. The following are the most typical reasons slips and falls occur:

• Spilled drinks or food
• Entrances that need maintenance
• Poor lighting
• Icy or slippery walkways
• Uneven flooring or carpet
• Wet floors in bathrooms
• Electrical cords in walkways

Consult with A Slip and Fall Lawyer To Protect Your Rights

It's important to speak with a Connecticut slip and fall lawyer who is knowledgeable about the law and has experience handling slip and fall lawsuits before bringing a claim against a bar. Make sure to look for someone with experience and a successful track record, such as the team at Brandon J. Broderick, Attorney at Law. This could have a major impact on how your case turns out.

There is no initial risk. Unless your claim is successful, there is no cost to retain a Connecticut personal injury attorney at Brandon J. Broderick. We give every case everything we have and work hard toward a resolution that our client is happy with.

For a free consultation, get in touch with us today. From Bridgeport to Stamford, we have offices all over Connecticut.