St. Louis slip and fall lawyer holding property owners accountable
Falls can cause serious injuries
Holding property owners accountable for dangerous conditions
A quick slip on a wet grocery aisle or a trip on cracked pavement can leave you with broken bones, a concussion, or lingering back pain. If a business or landlord ignored a hazard, you have the right to pursue compensation for medical bills, lost wages, and pain. The Law Offices of Stephen A. Zarky helps people across St. Louis City and County, from Soulard and The Hill to Clayton and Florissant, pursue claims that make unsafe properties answer for the harm they cause. As a
personal injury attorney in St. Louis, Stephen explains your options and moves fast to preserve key evidence.
What is premises liability
When property owners fail to keep visitors safe
Premises liability means the person or business in control of property must take reasonable steps to keep it safe for lawful visitors. Stores, restaurants, apartment complexes, and parking lots are frequent sites of preventable falls. If an owner knew or should have known about a spill, a broken stair, poor lighting, or ice and failed to fix it or warn visitors, they can be held responsible for the injuries that follow.
Proving a slip and fall case
Four building blocks that win claims
01.
Existence of a dangerous condition
Examples include water, ice, loose rugs, potholes, or uneven flooring.
02.
Owner’s knowledge
We investigate whether staff caused the hazard, knew about it, or it existed long enough they should have known. Incident reports, maintenance logs, and video often tell the story.
03.
Causation and injury
Medical records and photos connect the hazard to your fall and the harm that followed. Experts may be used to explain code violations or unsafe design.
04.
Your status as a visitor
Customers are invitees who are owed the highest duty of care. Stephen documents that you were lawfully on the property to strengthen your claim.
Common injuries from falls
Serious harm that deserves full compensation
Falls often lead to wrist and hip fractures, shoulder tears, herniated discs, and traumatic brain injuries. Many people cannot work or care for family during recovery and worry about how long a claim will take. Stephen outlines realistic timelines, from early negotiation with insurers to filing suit if the offer is not fair. If your injuries came from a parking lot collision rather than a spill, you can compare approaches for car accidents in our area to understand proof and timelines in those cases.
How Stephen helps slip and fall victims
Prompt investigation, strong evidence, and steady advocacy
01.
Prompt investigation
Evidence goes missing fast. Stephen secures photos, tracks down witnesses, and requests video before it is overwritten.
02.
Dealing with insurers and large retailers
He handles every call and letter, pushing back on arguments that blame you for not watching your step when the hazard was not obvious.
03.
Demonstrating impact
Your treatment records, work restrictions, and daily limitations are documented so the value of your claim reflects the real toll of the injury. Other cases we handle, like dog bites, may involve similar proof and insurance issues if the fall occurred at a private residence.
Slip and fall FAQs
Clear answers to questions people ask after a fall
Can I sue if I slipped and fell in a store in Missouri?
Yes, if the store failed to fix or warn about a dangerous condition they knew or should have known about and that hazard caused your injuries.
What do I need to prove in a slip and fall case?
You must show a hazardous condition, the owner’s knowledge, causation, and your damages. Evidence like video, photos, and medical records can be decisive.
How long do slip and fall cases take to settle?
Timelines vary based on treatment and whether the insurer makes a fair offer. Many claims resolve after medical care stabilizes. If not, filing suit keeps the case moving.
Should I accept a store’s offer to pay my medical bills?
Do not sign anything without legal advice. Medical bills may be only part of what you are owed, and releases can waive your right to full compensation.
Recover with confidence
Focus on healing while we handle the claim
You should be healing, not fighting with insurance adjusters. The Law Offices of Stephen A. Zarky moves quickly to secure evidence, prove fault, and pursue the compensation you need to move forward. If you had a serious fall in the St. Louis area, reach out for a case review at no cost.