Slip and fall accidents happen every day in Texas — in grocery stores, restaurants, parking lots, and workplaces. If someone else's negligence caused your fall, you may be entitled to significant compensation. Here's everything you need to know about your rights.
Even if you feel okay — see a doctor same day. Slip and fall injuries like head trauma, spinal injuries, and hip fractures can have delayed symptoms. Medical records are your most critical evidence.
Take photos of the hazard that caused your fall — wet floor, broken step, poor lighting, uneven surface. Photograph your injuries. Get the names of witnesses before you leave.
Report to the store manager, property owner, or employer and ask for a written copy of the incident report. Do not minimize your injuries in the report.
Do not sign any waivers, releases, or settlement agreements without consulting an attorney. Do not give recorded statements to insurance companies.
Slip and fall cases are complex — property owners and their insurers fight aggressively. An experienced attorney levels the playing field and maximizes your recovery.
Texas premises liability law determines who is responsible for your slip and fall. Property owners owe different duties based on your visitor status:
Invitees — customers at stores, restaurants, or businesses — are owed the highest duty. The owner must regularly inspect for hazards, fix them promptly, and warn visitors of known dangers.
Licensees — social guests — are owed a duty to warn of known non-obvious hazards but not to inspect and discover new ones.
Trespassers — are owed only a duty not to willfully injure them.
As a customer or visitor to a business in Texas you are an invitee and entitled to the strongest protections.
Most businesses overwrite security camera footage within 30 to 90 days. An attorney can send a legal hold letter immediately to preserve this critical evidence. Do not wait.
To win a slip and fall case in Texas you generally must prove the property owner knew or should have known about the hazard. Keeping a detailed record of when the hazard existed, how long it had been there, and whether staff were aware is critical to your case.