Fatal Slip and Fall Accidents in Aurora
Fatal slip and fall accidents in Aurora are uncommon, but not as rare as you might think. In Colorado, there are as many as 17,000 fatalities related to slips, trips, and falls every year.
If a slip and fall accident results from a property owner’s failure to maintain their premises in a safe condition, the victim’s family may have grounds for a wrongful death lawsuit. Filing a wrongful death claim can be traumatic and complex. If you believe your family member’s death was due to a property owner’s negligence, contact our compassionate slip and fall attorneys at Amy G Injury Firm.
How Do Fatal Slip and Fall Accidents Happen?
Landowners have a responsibility to keep their property safe for visitors, a legal concept known as premises liability. Slip and fall accidents have many causes, including:
- Inadequate lighting
- Cracked or broken pavement
- Slippery floors
- Failure to keep walkways free of ice or snow in winter
Aurora slip and fall accidents always have the potential to become serious or fatal. Although most falls result in nothing more than bruises, sprains, or other minor injuries, they can have deadly consequences.
Older individuals may be unable to catch themselves after a misstep, causing a simple fall to turn into a major accident. If the victim strikes their head, a slip or trip can cause head trauma or brain injury. Similarly, falls from heights can result in major internal injuries, broken bones, and spinal cord damage. If a hazardous condition led to the victim’s death, the property owner may be held liable.
Filing a Wrongful Death Lawsuit
In premises liability lawsuits, property owners are identified as negligent, rather than malicious, meaning they did not act intentionally to cause harm. To prove negligent behavior, you must show that the property owner knew of the hazardous condition and failed to correct it, and that the condition was directly responsible for your loved one’s death.
Proving that a slippery floor or broken stair caused someone’s death requires evidence and witness testimony. For instance, expert testimony could explain how the victim slipping and striking their head caused a skull fracture, leading to a hematoma and their death.
In an Aurora slip and fall case, you may need legal assistance to find evidence and experts to support your wrongful death claim. It can be emotionally draining to cope with your loved one’s passing while also gathering proof of their cause of death. Our supportive team could assist you in collecting the necessary evidence to make a wrongful death claim.
Contact an Aurora Attorney for Help With a Fatal Slip and Fall Incident
In Colorado, only a spouse can file a wrongful death claim during the year after a victim’s death. Children or other heirs can file in the second year. In addition, state law allows only two years after an accident to file a wrongful death claim, making prompt filing critical.
Our attorneys at Amy G Injury Firm could help you gather the evidence you need to file your claim before the statute of limitations expires. If your loved one’s accident was caused by a property owner’s carelessness, we could help you prove their fault and pursue compensation and justice for your loved one. Contact us today for a free consultation to learn more about fatal slip and fall accidents in Aurora.
