Utah Slip and Fall Laws

Were you or a loved one injured in a slip and fall accident? Are you searching for information about Utah slip and fall laws? Ipson Law Firm can help. 

Slip and fall accidents can happen at any given moment. If they occur on someone’s residential or commercial property, you might be entitled to some form of repayment. Compensation can help cover the cost of medical treatment, lost wages due to injuries sustained, and more. But before filing a slip and fall claim, it’s vital to learn more about the factors determining your case’s outcome. 

Two laws can help or hurt your case when deciding your next step: the slip and fall statute of limitations in Utah and comparative negligence. Understanding the time frame in which you can file a lawsuit and determining your responsibility are also critical factors regarding your compensation. 

Slip and Fall Statute of Limitations in Utah

There’s a time limit for legally filing a personal injury claim against another party when you’re injured in a slip and fall accident on their property. The time limit is called the statute of limitation. This limit is integral to Utah slip and fall laws determining whether you can pursue compensation. 

Utah slip and fall laws state in Utah code section 78B-2-307 that the injured party has four years from the accident date to file a personal injury claim with Utah’s civil courts. The slip and fall statute of limitation in Utah differs if it’s a wrongful death claim, which allows the victim’s family two years to file a lawsuit from the date of the incident. 

If a state, county, or city employee caused your slip and fall injury, the Governmental Immunity Act of Utah kicks in. Here, the affected party must first file a “notice of claim” with the responsible entity within one year after the claim arises, which happens when you realize they are a government employee and know their name. 

Comparative Negligence in Utah

Before filing a personal injury claim, consider Utah’s code section 78B-5-818, covering comparative negligence. This law pertains to any amount of shared fault you held in the slip and fall accident. What you need to know within this law is that if you’re 50% at fault for the accident, your chances of being compensated diminish. 

However, this law also states that you qualify for reimbursement if you’re 49% or less responsible for the accident. Utah slip and fall laws are easy to misinterpret because of the many gray areas within them. If you want to file a personal injury claim, seeking legal help is in your best interest.

Slip and Fall Accidents in Utah

There are various types of slip and fall accidents to which you can fall victim. If you’re still within Utah’s slip and fall statute of limitation, it’s worth your time to seek payment for the personal injury damages you’ve suffered due to a fall on someone’s property. Below are some common causes of slip and fall accidents.

Icy Walkways or Stairs

It’s always the property owner’s responsibility to ensure safe walkways and stairways on their commercial or residential property. Owners must remove ice and snow from walkways and stairways so people can safely walk on these surfaces. If someone falls due to their negligence, they’ll likely have a personal injury claim filed against them. 

Poor Lighting

If a parking lot, pathway, or other areas on a commercial or residential property aren’t well-lit, they can pose a hazard for people walking there. If people can’t see a step or steep drop-off point due to improper lighting, they can easily hurt themselves by falling, tripping, or running into something that causes injury to them in some way. 

Potholes 

Potholes on roadways or in parking lots should be marked and blocked off so people are aware of them and can avoid them. Suppose a pothole isn’t adequately marked off by the city or a commercial property owner, and someone gets injured. In that case, they can be found negligent and held legally responsible for personal injuries caused by the pothole. 

Steps to Take if You or a Loved One is Injured in a Slip and Fall Accident

Can you sue for a slip and fall accident in Utah? Yes, you can if you abide by the slip and fall statute of limitations in Utah and comparative negligence laws. There are many other things you can do to improve your chances of gaining the compensation you deserve after a slip and fall accident, including these steps:

1. Report the Accident: Reporting an accident clarifies personal injury claims and provides a record of when the slip and fall injury occurred. Most commercial businesses will record a fall in an accident report, which gives a definitive date and details of the accident.
2. Take Pictures of the Scene: If you can, use your phone to take pictures of where the accident occurred. These photos can be used as evidence during negotiations or legal processes and help determine fault. For example, suppose you fall on an icy walkway. If so, the photos you take will show that the property owner didn’t maintain it.
3. Seek Medical Treatment: You must have been injured to receive compensation for a slip and fall accident. Seeking immediate medical treatment is vital to assess your injuries, get treatment, and create a medical record of the accident.
4. Contact Ipson Law Firm: It can be challenging to navigate Utah slip and fall laws, gather evidence, and negotiate with insurers independently. Legal representation is recommended and highly beneficial. Our experienced attorneys will fight for the compensation you deserve. 

Call Ipson Law if You’ve Been Injured in a Slip and Fall Accident in Utah

Utah slip and fall laws are established to protect people who are unexpectedly injured on someone else’s property. You may be a victim of a slip and fall accident and plan to seek compensation for personal injuries accrued because of the incident. If so, you must file a claim within four years per the slip and fall statute of limitations in Utah. 

If you want to file a claim, hiring a personal injury attorney will ensure you receive fair compensation. If you or any of your loved ones were hurt in a slip and fall accident, the attorneys at Ipson Law Firm can help. Our experienced team has handled many slip and fall cases. We thoroughly understand Utah slip and fall laws and can help you navigate the legal system at every step, including settlement negotiations with insurance companies. 

Additionally, we provide free consultations, so you can learn more about your legal options, our services, and the compensation you deserve.

Don’t hesitate to reach out if you or a loved one has been hurt in a slip and fall accident. Contact Ipson Law Firm today to schedule a free consultation.