Slip and Fall in Kansas City? A Personal Injury Lawyer Can Prove Negligence

Slip and fall accidents can happen anywhere. A slick floor. A cracked sidewalk. A loose stair. In Kansas City, these accidents are common. Some people walk away fine. Others end up in the ER. Some need surgery. Some miss weeks of work. If the fall wasn’t your fault, you may be able to file a claim. An experienced personal injury lawyer in Kansas City can help. They work to prove that someone else caused the danger. If they can show negligence, you may get money for your injury.

What is a Slip and Fall Case?

A slip and fall claim is also a premises liability claim. A premises liability claim means that there was a person or company that owned or controlled the premises at which the slip and fall claim happened and that person or company had a duty to keep the premises safe and free from hazards.

Common places that people fall include:

• Stores or Shops
• Apartment or Rental Property
• Sidewalk or Parking Lot
• Office buildings
• Restaurants and bars
• Schools or public buildings

If there was something unsafe and no warning, the owner or manager may be at fault.

What Causes Most Falls?

Falls are not always caused by clumsiness. Often, the property was not safe.

Some causes of falls:

• Wet or freshly mopped floors with no sign
• Ice or snow not removed
• Cracked or broken pavement
• Torn carpet or loose mats
• Broken steps or handrails
• Bad lighting in stairwells
• Spills left uncleaned

Owners must fix these problems—or warn people until they can. If they don’t, they may be liable.

What does the word “negligence” mean?

In order to win a slip and fall case, your lawyer must show negligence. This means that:

1. The person or company had a duty to keep the place safe.
2. They failed to do that.
3. You got hurt because of that failure.
4. You lost something—health, work time, money—because of the injury.

If all four are true, you may have a solid case.

Who Can Be Held Responsible?

The answer depends on where the fall happened.

At a store or restaurant? The business owner may be liable.
At an apartment? The landlord or building manager might be responsible.
On public land or sidewalk? The city or another party may be involved.
At work? Your claim may go through workers’ comp.

A personal injury lawyer can help in the legal process to find the right person or company to blame.

Steps a Lawyer Takes to Prove Negligence

Lawyers don’t just write letters. They do real digging.

Here’s what they might do:

• Review security camera footage
• Collect photos of the scene
• Speak with witnesses
• Gather your medical records
• Read safety logs or past complaints
• Hire experts to explain what went wrong

Their goal is simple: show that the fall could have been stopped.

What If You Were Also at Fault?

Missouri follows pure comparative fault. This means both sides can share blame. Even if you were partly at fault, you can still recover money.

Example: You were looking at your phone and didn’t see a puddle. But the store also didn’t post a warning sign. You are found 30% at fault. You win $20,000. You get $14,000 (70%). That’s fair. And that’s why your lawyer will work to lower your share of blame.

How Much Is a Slip and Fall Case Worth?

Every case is different. But here’s what victims often get money for:

• Hospital or doctor bills
• Medication and rehab
• Lost income or wages
• Pain and physical suffering
• Emotional stress
• Long-term or lifelong injuries

Your lawyer can give a better estimate after reviewing your records.

Common Injuries from Falls

Some falls are light. Others are serious.

These are common slip and fall injuries:

• Sprained wrists or ankles
• Broken bones
• Back or neck injuries
• Head injuries (including concussions)
• Hip fractures
• Cuts, bruises, or deep wounds

Some injuries take days to show up. Always see a doctor. Even if you feel okay, get checked.

Why You Need a Kansas City Lawyer

Kansas City has its own safety codes, rules, and court rules.

A local personal injury lawyer knows:

• Which judges expect more proof
• Which insurance firms try to underpay
• What past cases won in your area
• How Missouri laws apply to your case

You want someone with local knowledge. It can make the difference between a small payout and a strong one. Call a skilled local Kansas City Slip And Fall Accident Lawyer right away.

How Long Do You Have to File a Claim?

In Missouri, you have five years to file a personal injury lawsuit. This starts on the day of the fall.

That sounds like a lot of time. But don’t wait.

Why? Because:

• Security videos get erased
• Witnesses forget details
• Photos get lost
• Medical records get harder to access

Call a lawyer early. Let them start work while the facts are fresh.

What Should You Do After a Fall?

Here’s what to do right away after a slip and fall:

1. Take photos – of the area, your injuries, your shoes, anything relevant.
2. Report it – tell a manager or employee what happened.
3. Get contact info – names of staff, owners, and any witnesses.
4. Get medical care – even if the pain seems minor.
5. Call a lawyer – before you talk to insurance.

These steps help protect your claim and make your lawyer’s job easier.

Cost: What Do Lawyers Charge?

Most Kansas City personal injury lawyers work on a contingency fee. That means:

• No money up front
• No fee unless they win your case
• If you win, they take a part of the settlement (often 33–40%)

Ask about the fee before signing. But don’t let cost stop you. Most lawyers offer free first meetings.

Do Most Cases Go to Court?

No. Most slip and fall claims settle before trial.

Your lawyer will:

• Build a strong case
• Send a demand letter
• Negotiate with the other side

If they don’t offer fair money, your lawyer can take it to court. But often, the case ends with a deal that works for both sides.

Real Slip and Fall Cases in Kansas City

Example 1:

A gentleman slipped on wet stairs in front of a mall. If the mall had salted or put grit on them, the gentleman would not have broken his wrist, nor would he have paid his lawyer and settled for $55,000. 

Example 2:

A little girl was running across a rug in a daycare play area, tripped, and fell. She knocked out her two front teeth, and her family settled for $40,000, 

Example 3: 

An elderly lady slipped in the lobby of a hotel on wet water, and there was no wet floor sign, she had to have hip surgery, and her claim settled for $125,000. Every case is different. But many fall victims do get money when someone else was careless.

FAQs

1. Do I still have a case if I didn’t see the danger?
   Yes. You don’t need to see the hazard. You only need to prove it was there and unsafe.
2. What if the property owner says it’s my fault?
   That’s common. Your lawyer will work to prove you weren’t—or that you were only partly at fault.
3. Can I sue the city if I fell on public land?
   Maybe. Suing the city has stricter rules and deadlines. A lawyer can explain what applies.
4. What if I didn’t go to the doctor the same day?
   You can still file. But delays can hurt your case. Always get care as soon as possible.
5. Can I get money even if I went back to work?
   Yes. Lost work time is just one part of your claim. You may still get money for pain or medical bills.