Slip and Fall Attorney in Durham

A slip and fall accident can leave you with serious, long-lasting injuries. In fact, falls are the second leading cause of unintentional injury and death for North Carolinians of all ages.

If you or someone you love was the victim of a slip and fall in Durham, and you are worrying about what to do next, you should contact a North Carolina slip and fall attorney at the Law Offices of Naomi Ellis, PLLC to discuss your legal options. We provide one-on-one compassionate representation to each client. You should not have to bear the physical, emotional, and financial burden of your injuries alone. We can help.

“I’ve never liked bullies — whether on the schoolyard or in the courtroom. That instinct to speak up when someone’s being pushed around is what drives me as a lawyer. When someone’s been hurt and powerful insurers or corporations try to avoid accountability, I don’t look the other way — I step in, stand up, and fight back.”

Naomi Ellis

Personal Injury Attorney

Why Naomi Ellis Law Is The Best Option For Your Slip and Fall Lawsuit in Durham

We work on a contingency fee basis, which means you pay nothing out-of-pocket.
Our practice is dedicated solely to personal injury law. We have the experience, expertise, and fighting attitude to get you the justice you deserve.
We demand fair and just compensation and won’t stand for lowball offers from insurance companies.
If an insurance company or corporate defendant is trying to take advantage of you, we’ll hold them accountable by taking them to court.
We leave no stone unturned in the investigation phase of your case. When necessary, we work with experts in their field, other attorneys, and private investigators to pursue your case.
You’ll work one-on-one with your attorney throughout your case – you’ll be informed, supported, and empowered every step of the way.
When you choose Naomi Ellis Law after an accident, you can rest assured that you have an advocate in your corner committed to protecting your rights while you focus on your recovery.

Proving a Slip and Fall Lawsuit

Sometimes slip and fall claims can be resolved by simply filing a claim with the property owner’s insurance company. However, these claims are often contested, and victims will need to turn to a North Carolina slip and fall attorney to file a civil lawsuit. While there is no legal requirement that you hire an attorney, your chance of success will greatly increase with the help of a seasoned professional.

In a slip and fall lawsuit, the plaintiff has the burden of proof and must establish four essential elements of their claim.

1. Ownership of the Property

You must first determine who owned or controlled the property, which can be more complicated than you might initially think and can include individuals beyond the titled owner. Sometimes the appropriate defendant is someone who leased, managed, operated, lived on, or otherwise controlled the property where the accident happened. Sometimes this is immediately apparent; other times, it takes some digging. An experienced North Carolina slip and fall lawyer can help you identify the proper parties.

2. Defendant Owed a Duty of Care

After identifying the correct defendant, you must prove that they owed you a duty of care, which depends in large part on why you were on the property and whether you had permission to be there. The type of visitor you are will determine the applicable duty of care.

A visitor can be categorized as an invitee, licensee, or trespasser.

Invitees are owed the highest duty of care and are expected or have been asked to be on the property (e.g., a customer at a grocery store).
Licensees are people permitted to use or occupy a property for a specific reason and purpose (e.g., a friend that visits your house).
Trespassers do not have permission to be on the property and are owed the least care.

Identifying which category you fall under can be difficult, but a slip and fall lawyer can help.

3. Defendant Breached Their Duty of Care

Next, you must show that the defendant breached their duty of care by failing to adequately maintain the property and keep it safe. Generally, the defendant must keep their property free of potential hazards that are known, or should be known, to the defendant.

4. Defendant’s Breach Caused Plaintiff’s Injury

Finally, if you can prove the three elements above, you must lastly establish that the defendant’s breach was the cause of your injuries. Specifically, you must show the defendant’s action or failure to act caused the accident and your resulting injuries.

Our experienced North Carolina slip and fall attorney can help you determine if you have a valid claim and how to proceed.

Slip and Fall Compensation

If someone’s negligence or actions caused your slip and fall, they may be liable to you for damages. You will be entitled to damages if you successfully prove your case in court or reach a settlement. In addition to reimbursement for past medical expenses and future medical costs, a slip and fall plaintiff can seek damages for, among other things:

Lost income, including anticipated lost income if you will be unable to return to work in the same capacity
Pain and suffering
Emotional distress

Every case has its own set of facts and circumstances that will influence the damages you can expect, including the severity of your injuries and the circumstances of your accident.

Common Causes of Slip and Fall Incidents

While there are numerous potential causes of a slip and fall accident, there are a few common causes that we routinely see. Many times, the cause of a fall is not an obvious spill on the floor but something much more obscure.

Common causes of slip and fall accidents include the following:

Wet floors
Freshly or heavily waxed floors
Spills
Uneven flooring
Unsafe stairs or broken handrails
Poor lighting
Torn or unsecured carpets or rugs
Debris, clutter, or wires obstructing walkways
Unmarked stairs or decline
Ice or snow
Lack of warning about a known hazard

It is important to remember this list is not exhaustive. No matter the cause of your slip and fall, you may be entitled to compensation, and we can help.

Injuries Resulting from a Slip and Fall

Slip and fall accidents can lead to a variety of serious injuries and possibly even several injuries simultaneously. Slip and fall injuries can be complex and life-altering, and can include:

Multiple compound fractures
Concussions
Other traumatic brain injuries
Wrist sprains and breaks
Joint injuries
Hand injuries
Neck injuries
Spinal cord injuries and paralysis
Hip fractures
Chronic pain

Some injuries may require only minimal treatment, while others will necessitate considerable medical treatment and can lead to mounting bills and time lost from work. Our North Carolina slip and fall lawyer can assist you if you sustained serious injuries in a slip and fall accident.

North Carolina Slip and Fall Attorneys

You may be entitled to recover compensation if you were hurt by a slip and fall. At the Law Offices of Naomi Ellis, PLLC, we are a boutique law firm concentrating our practice on helping victims of serious injuries. We have the resources and one-on-one attention you need to get the results you deserve. Contact us for a free initial consultation to discuss your claim.

Naomi Ellis

Attorney Naomi Ellis is a dedicated personal injury lawyer known for her tenacity, compassion, and client-first approach. After moving from Australia to the U.S. as a student-athlete, she earned her law degree with honors and gained valuable experience at top firms before founding Ellis Law. Naomi is committed to helping injured individuals reclaim their lives through skilled, personalized legal representation.

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