Falls are the second leading cause of unintentional injury-related death in the U.S., contributing to more than 47,000 fatalities in 2023 alone. Hundreds of thousands more suffer serious injuries each year, many severe enough to require long-term treatment or time off work.
When a preventable hazard contributes to a fall, Texas law allows you to seek financial compensation. A Dallas personal injury lawyer at O’Hare and Koch can assess your claim, explain your legal options, and file a lawsuit.
Common Property Hazards That Cause Slip and Fall Injuries
Slip and fall accidents can occur in a wide range of settings—from grocery stores and office buildings to apartment complexes and public sidewalks. Some of the most common hazards include:
- Wet or slick surfaces due to spills, leaks, or mopping
- Broken tiles, uneven walkways, or cracked pavement
- Poor lighting in stairwells, entryways, or parking lots
- Loose rugs, cords, or clutter left in walkways
- Worn or missing handrails on stairs and ramps
Even seemingly minor issues can cause serious injuries like fractures, back injuries, or head trauma. Identifying and documenting the hazard early is key to building a strong claim.
What You Need to Prove in a Dallas Slip and Fall Claim
Under Texas premises liability law, property owners and occupiers may be held liable for unsafe conditions that result from their negligence. But to bring a successful claim, you must prove four key elements:
- Duty of Care: The owner or occupier had a legal responsibility to keep the premises reasonably safe for lawful visitors.
- Breach of Duty: They failed to address or warn about a hazardous condition.
- Causation: That specific hazard directly caused your fall and injuries.
- Damages: You suffered real harm, such as medical expenses, lost income, or non-economic effects like pain and emotional distress.
Your visitor status—whether you are an invitee, licensee, or trespasser—can also affect how liability is assessed. That’s why it’s critical to evaluate both who may be liable and what duties they had under Texas law.
Who Can Be Held Liable for a Slip and Fall in Dallas?
Determining liability depends not only on where the fall happened, but also on your reason for being there. Multiple parties may be held responsible, including:
- Property owners who failed to keep the premises reasonably safe
- Landlords or management companies who ignored complaints or failed inspections
- Commercial tenants who allowed hazards in areas used by customers or clients
- Maintenance crews or repair companies, whose negligence created the danger
Even if the hazard existed for only a short time, or the property owner claims they didn’t know about it, you may still have a valid claim. The key is gathering strong evidence and presenting it strategically. That’s where a slip and fall lawyer in Dallas makes a difference.
Workplace falls present additional challenges. In many cases, workers’ compensation may cover medical treatment and partial wage replacement, but it may not account for the full impact of your injury. If a third party—such as an outside contractor, cleaning crew, building manager, or security company—was responsible for the unsafe condition that led to your fall, you may have a separate personal injury claim in addition to your workers’ comp benefits.
Whatever way you sustained injuries on the premises of a property, a Dallas slip and fall lawyer can help identify all potentially liable parties and pursue the full range of compensation you’re entitled to.
Building a Strong Case With a Dallas Slip and Fall Attorney
Most property owners and insurance adjusters know how to downplay a fall claim and take advantage of a victim’s lack of experience and understanding of the claims process. Without legal guidance, it’s easy for evidence to be lost, timelines to be missed, or for settlement offers to fall short.
At O’Hare and Koch, our attorneys take control of the process by:
- Investigating the scene: We document hazards, obtain photos and video, review available surveillance footage and interview potential witnesses.
- Consulting experts: When necessary, we engage engineers, medical professionals, or safety specialists to support your case.
- Evaluating your damages: We go beyond just medical bills, documenting pain, trauma, and long-term effects.
- Negotiating with insurers: We don’t let them shift blame or minimize what happened.
- Preparing for litigation: If negotiations fail to yield a fair settlement, we develop a detailed and persuasive claim for trial in court.
Our legal strategy is clear, focused, and tailored to Texas law, with one goal: to recover the full value of your claim.
Compensation Available for Slip and Fall Victims in Dallas
The value of a premises liability claim depends on the extent of your losses. At O’Hare and Koch, we document a full range of damages, including both economic and non-economic effects:
- Medical bills and anticipated future treatment
- Lost income and reduced ability to work
- Physical pain and suffering
- Emotional distress and psychological trauma
- Lasting disfigurement or disabilities
- Loss of enjoyment of daily life
Falls impact lives on many levels—physically, emotionally, and financially. Our case results reflect our commitment to helping clients recover what they truly deserve.
Contact O’Hare and Koch for a Free Slip and Fall Case Evaluation
Slip and fall claims are often met with skepticism. Property owners may downplay the hazard or blame the victim. Insurance companies are known to make low offers or create obstacles, hoping you’ll settle quickly or give up.
At O’Hare and Koch we don’t let those tactics stand. We build strong claims supported by evidence, expert insight, and a deep understanding of Texas premises liability laws. And we take the time to explain your rights every step of the way.
Under Texas law, you have a limited time to file a premises liability claim. Acting quickly helps preserve evidence, protect your rights, and ensure you don’t miss your opportunity to recover.
If you were hurt because someone failed to fix or warn about a dangerous condition, don’t face the process alone. Contact O’Hare and Koch today for a free consultation with a slip and fall lawyer in Dallas.