Fort Worth slip and fall accident lawyers at Stephens Law represent people who have been seriously hurt on someone else’s property because of unsafe conditions.
Slip and fall cases in Texas fall under premises liability law, which holds property owners accountable when they fail to fix or warn visitors about known hazards. Our legal team handles these claims across Tarrant County and throughout North Texas.
When a property owner ignores a known danger and you get hurt, you may have the right to pursue compensation for your medical costs, lost income, and pain. Call us at (817) 420-7000 for a free consultation 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
How Stephens Law Handles Slip and Fall Injury Claims in Fort Worth
We limit the number of cases we take on so that every client receives direct attention from attorney Jason Stephens. A Fort Worth personal injury lawyer from our firm works closely with clients throughout every stage of the case, providing personalized guidance and support.
That approach has led to more than $300 million recovered for clients after fees and expenses across all practice areas, including premises liability and fall injury claims.
Verdicts and settlements depend on the specific facts and legal circumstances of each case. Many people don’t realize how serious slip and fall injuries can be, especially for seniors, children, and people who are physically frail. Stephens Law recently settled a slip and fall case for $669,438, providing financial relief for an injured client.
Why Does Evidence Disappear So Fast in Slip and Fall Cases?
The conditions that caused a fall often disappear within hours. Spills get cleaned up, damaged flooring or handrails get repaired, and security camera footage may be deleted or overwritten within days.
Our team works quickly to photograph the scene, request security camera recordings, pull maintenance logs, and interview witnesses before the property owner or their insurer has a chance to alter or destroy proof of the hazard.
Who May Be Held Responsible for Your Fall?
More than one party may share liability for a dangerous condition on a property.
After gathering evidence, we identify every potential defendant, including the property owner, a commercial tenant, a maintenance contractor, or a property management company.
We then work with medical professionals to document the full scope of your injuries and connect them directly to the fall.
What Do You Have to Prove in a Texas Slip and Fall Claim?
You must prove three things in a Texas slip and fall case: the property owner knew or reasonably should have known about the dangerous condition, they failed to fix it or warn you, and that failure directly caused your injury.
This legal framework comes from decades of Texas case law defining the duties owed to visitors on someone else’s property.
Texas law divides people on a property into three categories, and the duty owed to you depends on which one applies:
- An invitee is someone invited onto the property for the owner’s benefit, like a customer in a store or a guest at a hotel, and is owed the highest duty of care.
- A licensee enters with permission but for their own purposes, such as a social guest at a friend’s home, and must be warned about hidden dangers the owner already knows about.
- A trespasser enters without permission and is generally owed only the duty not to be harmed intentionally.
Most slip and fall claims in Fort Worth involve invitees because the falls typically happen inside businesses, restaurants, and grocery stores. The distinction matters because the level of proof you need to meet changes based on your visitor status at the time of the fall.
What Causes Most Slip and Fall Accidents in the Fort Worth Area?
Wet or slippery floors, uneven walking surfaces, and poorly maintained stairways cause the majority of slip and fall injuries in Fort Worth and Tarrant County. Property owners who skip routine inspections or delay repairs create exactly the kind of conditions that lead to serious falls.
Hazards Inside Commercial Properties
Grocery stores, restaurants, retail shops, and big-box stores see heavy foot traffic every day. Spills that go uncleaned, freshly mopped floors without warning signs, loose floor mats, cluttered aisles, and broken tiles all create tripping hazards.
Dim lighting in stairwells, hallways, and parking garages makes these conditions worse because visitors have no way to see and avoid them.
Hazards on Outdoor Properties and Walkways
Cracked or uneven sidewalks, potholes in parking lots, loose gravel, and water or ice buildup near building entrances are common outdoor hazards in Fort Worth.
The city’s weather swings between heavy rain and occasional winter ice, and property owners who fail to address drainage issues or treat icy walkways put every visitor at risk.
Under Texas law, the duty to maintain safe conditions extends to the exterior of the property, including parking areas and entryways.
According to the Tarrant County Public Health Dept, falls were the top priority for injury prevention overall countywide. In a recent five-year span, falls injured 45,171 people in Tarrant County.
What Compensation May Be Available After a Slip and Fall in Fort Worth?
Slip and fall victims in Texas may pursue both economic and non-economic damages. Economic damages cover losses with a specific dollar value, while non-economic damages address the personal impact of the injury on your daily life. Understanding the different damages in personal injury cases can help injured individuals evaluate the full value of their claim.
The categories of compensation commonly pursued in a Fort Worth slip and fall case include:
- Medical expenses for emergency treatment, surgery, physical therapy, and ongoing rehabilitation
- Lost wages from missed work during recovery
- Reduced earning capacity if the injury limits your ability to perform your job long-term
- Pain and suffering damages reflecting the physical discomfort caused by the injury
- Mental anguish and emotional distress tied to the accident and recovery process
A fall that causes a traumatic brain injury (TBI), spinal cord injury, or serious broken bone can lead to problems that last for years. Showing the full long-term effects of the injury can make the difference between a strong claim and one that settles for much less than it should.
If you are dealing with mounting costs after a slip and fall in Fort Worth or anywhere in Tarrant County, call our team at (817) 420-7000 for a free case review.
How Does Texas Comparative Fault Apply to a Slip and Fall Case?
Texas applies a modified comparative fault rule, which means a jury assigns a percentage of responsibility to each party involved.
Under Texas Civil Practice and Remedies Code Chapter 33, you may still recover compensation as long as your share of fault does not exceed 50%, but your total recovery is reduced by your percentage of responsibility. Texas law may differ from the laws of other states.
How Do Property Owners Try to Shift Blame After a Fall?
Property owners and their insurers almost always argue that the injured person was not paying attention, was wearing inappropriate footwear, or ignored an obvious hazard. Their goal is to push your fault percentage above 50% so that you recover nothing.
Texas law also allows property owners to blame another company or contractor for the dangerous condition. Strong evidence gathered early in the case is the most effective counter to these tactics.
How Long Do You Have to File a Slip and Fall Lawsuit in Texas?
You generally have two years from the date of your fall to file a lawsuit under Texas Civil Practice and Remedies Code Section 16.003. This deadline is called the statute of limitations, which is the window of time the law gives you to take legal action.
If you miss it, the court is almost certain to dismiss your case regardless of how strong the evidence may be.
What if You Fell on Government Property in Fort Worth?
Falls on government-owned property follow a separate and shorter set of rules. Under the Texas Tort Claims Act, which is the state law that governs lawsuits against government entities, you must file a formal written notice with the government entity within six months of the incident.
This six-month notice deadline applies before the standard two-year statute of limitations, and missing it may bar your claim entirely. Government properties in Fort Worth include city buildings, public parks, libraries, schools, and facilities operated by Tarrant County.
Where Do Slip and Fall Injuries Happen Most Often in Fort Worth?
Slip and fall accidents happen on both commercial and residential properties throughout the Fort Worth area. The type of property affects who may be liable and what duty of care applies.
Retail Stores and Grocery Stores
Big-box retailers, grocery chains, and shopping centers in Fort Worth see some of the highest rates of fall injuries because of high foot traffic combined with frequent spills, restocking activity, and wet entryways during rainy weather.
Restaurants, Hotels, and Entertainment Venues
Kitchens produce grease and water that reach dining floors. Hotel lobbies and pool areas create slick surfaces.
Bars and entertainment venues throughout the Fort Worth Stockyards and downtown areas often have dim lighting and uneven flooring that increase fall risk.
Office Buildings, Parking Garages, and Apartment Complexes
Poorly lit stairwells, cracked pavement in parking structures, and unmaintained common areas in apartment complexes are frequent sources of fall injuries in Fort Worth.
Landlords and property management companies may share liability with the building owner depending on who controls maintenance.
Private Homes
You may still have a valid claim if you fell at a friend’s or family member’s house. Texas law holds property owners responsible for known hazards regardless of whether the property is commercial or residential.
Most homeowner’s insurance policies cover slip and fall claims by visitors, and pursuing a claim typically involves the insurance company rather than having to file a personal injury lawsuit against your host.
Ask Stephens Law
Do I need a lawyer for a slip and fall injury in Fort Worth?
A slip and fall claim in Texas requires you to prove the property owner knew about the hazard and failed to act. Insurance companies representing property owners aggressively challenge these claims and attempt to shift blame to the injured person.
Our Fort Worth slip and fall attorneys gather the evidence needed to counter those arguments and handle all communication with the insurer on your behalf.
What if there was no “Wet Floor” sign when I fell?
The absence of a warning sign may support your claim, but it does not automatically prove the property owner was negligent. You still need to show that the owner knew or reasonably should have known about the hazard and had enough time to address it.
Surveillance footage and maintenance logs often provide the proof needed to establish this.
What if the property owner says the fall was my fault?
Property owners almost always argue the injured person shares some blame. Under Texas law, you may still recover compensation as long as your fault does not exceed 50%, but your recovery is reduced by your percentage of responsibility.
Our job is to build the evidence that minimizes your assigned fault and holds the owner accountable.
How much does it cost to hire a slip and fall lawyer at Stephens Law?
We work on a contingency fee basis, which means you pay no upfront costs. Our firm collects a fee only if we recover compensation on your behalf. If there is no recovery, you owe nothing.
FAQs for Fort Worth Slip and Fall Accident Lawyers
What types of injuries do slip and fall accidents cause?
Slip and fall accidents frequently cause broken bones, traumatic brain injuries (a TBI is damage to the brain from a sudden impact), spinal cord damage, torn ligaments, and severe back injuries.
Older adults face a particularly high risk of hip fractures and head injuries from falls. The severity depends on the surface, the height of the fall, and the position of the body at impact.
What does a slip and fall lawyer actually do for my case?
A slip and fall lawyer investigates the accident scene, gathers surveillance footage and maintenance records, identifies all liable parties, documents your injuries with medical professionals, and negotiates with the property owner’s insurance company.
If the insurer refuses to offer fair compensation, the attorney prepares the case for trial in a Tarrant County court.
What happens if there were no witnesses to my fall?
You may still have a valid slip and fall claim even if nobody saw the accident happen. Surveillance footage, incident reports, photographs of the hazard, maintenance records, and medical records created shortly after the fall can all help establish what occurred.
Property owners and insurance companies often argue that a lack of witnesses makes a claim unreliable, which is why preserving evidence quickly is so important after a fall.
What if I did not report the fall to the property owner right away?
A delayed report does not automatically prevent you from filing a claim, but it gives the property owner’s insurer room to argue that the injury happened somewhere else or that the hazard did not exist at the time of your visit.
Medical records showing treatment shortly after the fall help connect the injury to the incident. Contacting an attorney quickly allows the legal team to gather evidence before it disappears.
What if I slipped and fell at a friend’s house?
You may still have a valid premises liability claim if your friend’s homeowner’s insurance policy covers the loss. Texas law holds property owners responsible for known hazards on their property regardless of whether it is commercial or residential.
Pursuing a claim typically involves the insurance company rather than a personal lawsuit against your friend.
Protect Your Slip and Fall Claim by Calling a Fort Worth Attorney Today
The evidence that supports a slip and fall claim has a short shelf life. Surveillance footage gets deleted, spills get cleaned up, and broken surfaces get repaired. Early legal guidance helps preserve that evidence and protect your claim while your focus stays on getting better.
Jason Stephens remains actively involved in every slip and fall case our firm accepts and prepares each one with the attention these cases demand. Verdicts and settlements depend on the specific facts and legal circumstances of each case.
Call Stephens Law at (817) 420-7000 for a free consultation. There is no fee unless your case results in compensation.
Visit Our Personal Injury Law Office in Fort Worth, TX
Stephens Law Personal Injury | Wrongful Death | Truck Accidents – Fort Worth Office
1300 S University Dr #300
Fort Worth, TX 76107, United States
Phone:
(817) 420 7000
Open 24 hours
