St. Louis Slip and Fall Lawyer

Often, a slip and fall happens because of unsafe conditions on a property. If you or someone you love was hurt or killed by a fall injury and you believe that a negligent property owner was to blame, you should pursue legal action. Drafahl Law Firm can help.

Our compassionate and knowledgeable St. Louis personal injury lawyers know the premises liability laws that apply to your case, and we can put together the strongest possible claim to get you the justice you deserve. Give us a call today at (314) 300-6260 or contact us online to schedule your free consultation and learn more.

Learn More About St. Louis Attorney Nolan Drafahl

Nolan Drafahl is a founding partner of Drafahl Law Firm, where he works alongside his wife Julia. He has secured favorable outcomes for clients throughout St. Louis, Kirkwood, Chesterfield, and across Missouri and Illinois. Nolan is committed to delivering strong advocacy and personalized attention in every case.

Beyond his work in the courtroom, Nolan is active in supporting the St. Louis community. He volunteers his time with Fox 2 News’ Call-A-Lawyer program and serves on the Young Professionals Board for the St. Louis Crisis Nursery. Contact Drafahl Law Firm to schedule your free consultation with Nolan or a member of our legal team.

Awards & Memberships

What Makes Drafahl Law Firm The Right Choice

According to the University of Missouri, Missouri has one of the nation’s highest slip and fall rates. In fact, 31% of all older adults in the state experienced at least one fall over the course of the year. These falls can be expensive, with direct medical care costs related to falls in Missouri totaling more than $900 million.

Slip and fall cases fall under the category of premises liability claims. To win your case, you must demonstrate what obligations the property owner had to you based on why you were on the property. You also must show that they failed to fulfill those obligations. 

Drafahl Law Firm is the firm to turn to in order to make your case. Here are just some of the many reasons you should place your trust in our legal team. 

• Our attorneys are trial lawyers who have won multi-million verdicts just in the last two years alone. This has earned us a place on the Multi-Million Dollar Advocate Forum. 
• We know the ins and outs of premises liability claims and can maximize the chances of a successful settlement or a court verdict in your favor by putting together a very strong case.
• We have many past satisfied clients who have praised the legal services we offer, describing us as courteous, professional and dedicated,” and “fearless in court and adamant about providing the best outcome for clients.” 

A premises liability lawyer in St. Louis from Drafahl Law Firm will fight for your maximum compensation should you have slipped and fallen on someone’s property due to their negligence.

Hiring the Right St. Louis Slip and Fall Lawyer is Key to Getting Compensation

Revisor of Missouri Section 537.765 allows victims to pursue a claim for compensation against anyone who shares the fault for their damages, even if the victim was partly to blame. You’ll still have to prove the property owner breached a legal obligation to you, though.

Drafahl Law Firm will provide the representation you need throughout your case to maximize the chances of being “made whole.”  Some of the ways we can help include:

• Determining if you are classified as an invitee, licensee, or trespasser will affect the standard of care the property owner owed you. 
• Gathering evidence from the scene, including security camera footage or witness testimony showing how the injury happened.
• Finding experts to testify on your behalf to prove the cause of your accident and the extent of your loss
• Negotiating with home or liability insurers representing the party whose premises you fell on. 
• Going to court to pursue justice.

Contact a St. Louis Slip and Fall Attorney Today

Schedule a Free Case Review

What Compensation Can I Recover in a Slip and Fall Lawsuit?

If you were hurt in a slip and fall, you might be entitled to several types of compensation to help you recover physically, financially, and emotionally. These fall into three main categories in a typical lawsuit. 

Economic Damages

Economic damages are meant to cover your real, measurable financial losses caused by your accident. These are straightforward and are based on actual expenses you’ve had or can expect in the future, including: 

• Medical bills (doctors, hospitals, medications)
• Physical therapy or rehab costs
• Lost wages from missed work
• Future lost earning potential
• Out-of-pocket expenses for things like transportation or home modifications 

Non-Economic Damages

Non-economic damages compensate for losses that aren’t as easy to put a price tag on but are just as real. These relate to how the injury affects your life, comfort, and well-being, and often include:

• Pain and suffering
• Emotional distress or mental anguish
• Loss of enjoyment of life
• Loss of companionship or support
• Disfigurement or permanent physical impairment

Punitive Damages

Punitive damages are less common and are only awarded in situations where the property owner intentionally caused harm or acted with a deliberate and reckless disregard for others’ safety. 

510.261.  Punitive damages, restrictions on award of — proper award, when — civil actions, initial pleading not to contain claim for punitive damage award. — 1.  Except as otherwise provided by statute, punitive damages shall not be awarded unless the claimant proves by clear and convincing evidence that the defendant intentionally harmed the plaintiff without just cause or acted with a deliberate and flagrant disregard for the safety of others.

These damages are designed to punish the wrongdoer and discourage similar bad behavior rather than to pay you back for specific losses. Your slip and fall claim may involve one or more of these types of compensation, depending on the facts of your case and the severity of your injuries.

Evidence Used to Prove Damages in Slip and Fall Claims 

To recover compensation in a slip and fall lawsuit, you’ll need solid evidence to show the extent of your damages. This proof helps connect your injuries and losses directly to the accident and supports the value of your claim. Here are the main types of evidence you might need:  

Medical Records and Bills

Detailed medical records document the cause of your injury, how serious it is, and your recommended treatment. Medical bills and pharmacy receipts show exactly what you’ve had to pay, helping establish your economic losses.

Proof of Lost Wages

Pay stubs, employer statements, or tax records can demonstrate the money you’ve missed from being unable to work. This evidence shows your total past and projected future wage losses.

Expert Testimony

Doctors, physical therapists, or vocational experts may be asked to give their opinion about how your injuries affect your daily life, ability to return to work, or long-term medical needs.

Photos, Videos, and Witness Statements

Images or videos from the accident scene and statements from people who saw your fall provide visual and personal support to back up your version of events. These can be essential for proving the hazard and your injuries.

What Is The Statute Of Limitations For Filing a Slip and Fall Lawsuit In St. Louis?

In St. Louis, the statute of limitations for filing a slip and fall lawsuit is generally five years from the date of the accident. This means you typically must sue within five years or lose your right to pursue compensation. 

516.120.  What actions within five years. — Within five years:

  (1)  All actions upon contracts, obligations or liabilities, express or implied, except those mentioned in section 516.110, and except upon judgments or decrees of a court of record, and except where a different time is herein limited;

  (2)  An action upon a liability created by a statute other than a penalty or forfeiture;

  (3)  An action for trespass on real estate;

  (4)  An action for taking, detaining or injuring any goods or chattels, including actions for the recovery of specific personal property, or for any other injury to the person or rights of another, not arising on contract and not herein otherwise enumerated;

  (5)  An action for relief on the ground of fraud, the cause of action in such case to be deemed not to have accrued until the discovery by the aggrieved party, at any time within ten years, of the facts constituting the fraud.

However, some important exceptions can extend or pause the time limit:

• Discovery Rule: In some cases, the time to file may start when you learn about your injury, rather than when the accident occurred.
• Under 21: If the injured party is under 21 at the time of the accident, the statute of limitations doesn’t start running until they turn 21.
• Disability: For those with a legal disability, the clock is paused until the disability is removed.
• Defendant Leaves State: If the responsible party leaves Missouri, the statute of limitations may be paused while they are gone.
• Claims Against the Government: You must file a formal notice within 90 days of the incident when filing against a government entity, which is much shorter than the general time limit. Fraudulent Concealment: If the negligent party hid their involvement, the statute of limitations will be paused until you discover or should have discovered the fraud.

To make sure you don’t miss your chance to recover compensation after a slip and fall, reach out to a lawyer right away. 

How Long Will My St. Louis Slip And Fall Case Take to Settle?

It’s difficult to predict exactly how long a St. Louis slip and fall case will take to settle because every case is so different. Some claims are resolved in a few months, while others can take a year or more, especially if they go to trial. Several factors commonly affect the timeline:

• The severity and complexity of your injuries
• How long it takes to finish medical treatment and know your long-term prognosis
• The clarity of who was at fault and whether liability is disputed
• The amount and strength of the evidence supporting your claim
• The willingness of both parties to negotiate and reach a fair settlement
• Whether the case must be decided in court

Because so many details can affect your case’s resolution, working with an experienced slip and fall lawyer can help speed up the process and give you the best chance of the outcome you’re looking for.

Reach Out Today

These are just some of the many ways in which our firm can fight for you in a slip-and-fall claim. Give us a call at (314) 300-6260 to schedule your free consultation and learn more about the services we provide to help you fight for justice.