Slip and fall injuries are the leading cause of serious injuries in the United States. Generally speaking, landlords are responsible for maintaining their premises in a reasonably safe manner for their guests. These guests include customers, renters and people unknown to them. When they fail to meet that standard they may be liable for any injuries sustained by a guest on their property.
Visitors also bear some degree of responsibility when they visit the property of another and should monitor their behavior. If a visitor is intoxicated when they are on someone else’s property it may be difficult to prove damages against the landlord. If the slip and fall accident happened while the victim was intoxicated the landlord might say that it wouldn’t have happened if they hadn’t been intoxicated, might say they had difficulty walking or might suggest the level of intoxication caused the victim to miss warning signs that would have been otherwise obvious. The burden of proof falls on the victim.
When we litigate cases like this we first investigate the premises and interview any witnesses about the incident. Intoxication doesn’t eliminate the victims claim for damages. The landlord is still held to the same standard of keeping their property safe irrespective of their guests being intoxicated. If a victim became intoxicated during a party where alcohol was being served then intoxication could be a reasonable and expected outcome. Did the condition of the property contribute to the slip and fall or did the landlord know about a hazard and fail to correct it? Arizona has comparative negligence laws and this may allow a victim to recover damages even if they are partially at fault and as a result they may still be able to collect damages for their injuries.
The foundation of my law firm is integrity, honesty and compassion. I have over 20 years of experience helping Tucson families who are injured because of the careless and reckless acts of others. I help with serious injuries that require serious representation. I am a vigorous advocate for my clients, protect their rights and give them a voice in the court room. Call Tammy Carter Law 24/7/365 at 520-333-7737.