Texas Slip and Fall Accident Lawyer
Joe is one of the few Texas lawyers that is double board certified.
“No Legal Fees Until Joe Wins Your Case”
Content Reviewed by: Joe Stephens
Quick Facts about Joe Stephens
- With over 40 years of experience and double board certification, Joe knows how to investigate dangerous property conditions and establish liability in complex slip and fall cases
- Joe Stephens secured a $215,000 settlement for an 80-year-old Harris County man who suffered serious injuries after tripping over an improperly installed floor fixture at a dealership
- Joe personally handles slip and fall claims involving unsafe floors, walkways, and other property hazards, offering free consultations and no legal fees unless he wins your case
From busy Houston shopping centers around River Oaks to a neighborhood grocery store in Katy, a dangerous floor or uneven walkway can turn an ordinary errand into a painful accident. A serious fall can leave you facing mounting medical bills, missed paychecks, and injuries that disrupt your daily life. When a Texas property owner’s negligence causes your injuries, you deserve the opportunity to hold them accountable.
Texas slip and fall lawyer Joe Stephens helps injured victims hold negligent property owners accountable. With offices in Houston, Katy, and Marshall, The Stephens Law Firm provides personalized representation to people across Texas. Joe understands what you’re going through and can help you understand your rights, deal with insurance companies, and pursue the compensation you deserve.
Table of Contents
- Why Trust Joe Stephens With Your Texas Slip and Fall Case?
- Some of Our Notable Slip and Fall Case Results
- What Compensation Can You Recover After a Slip and Fall?
- What Property Hazards Cause Slip and Fall Accidents in Texas?
- What Duties Do Texas Property Owners Owe Visitors?
- How Do You Prove a Texas Property Owner Was Negligent?
- What Should You Do After a Slip and Fall Accident?
- Talk to Joe Stephens About Your Texas Slip and Fall Injury
- Texas Slip and Fall Accident FAQs
Why Trust Joe Stephens With Your Texas Slip and Fall Case?
Slip and fall cases aren’t always easy to prove. Property owners and insurance companies may argue that the hazard was obvious, that you weren’t paying attention, or that they didn’t know about the danger. You need a Texas slip and fall lawyer who knows how to challenge these arguments and build a strong case.
When you work with Joe, you benefit from several advantages:
- Joe Stephens has represented injured Texans since 1985, securing significant verdicts and settlements for his clients
- Joe examines accident reports, surveillance footage, maintenance records, and witness statements to determine what caused your fall
- With more than 150 trials under his belt, Joe knows how to prepare cases for court when insurance companies refuse to offer fair compensation
- The advantage of hiring a double board-certified lawyer in Texas is having an attorney whose qualifications have been evaluated through rigorous professional standards
- Joe personally handles your case, answers your questions, and helps you understand your options throughout the legal process
- The Stephens Law Firm offers free consultations, and you pay no legal fees until Joe wins your case
Some of Our Notable Slip and Fall Case Results
| Recovery Amount | Case Context |
|---|---|
| $215,000 Settlement |
Poorly Installed Floor Receptacle An 80-year-old Harris County man received this settlement after tripping over a poorly installed floor receptacle while waiting for service at a dealership. He suffered a broken shoulder and nose that required surgery. The case focused on the property owner's negligent installation and maintenance of floor fixtures. |
| Confidential Settlement |
Fall at Bank ATM Joe secured a confidential settlement for a customer who tripped over an unmarked metal box positioned behind a bank ATM and suffered a severe shoulder injury requiring surgery. The case involved the bank's alleged failure to secure the obstruction and provide adequate warning. |
What Compensation Can You Recover After a Slip and Fall?
If a property owner’s negligence caused your slip and fall accident, you may be entitled to compensation for your injuries and related losses. Economic damages cover financial expenses, such as:
- Past and future medical bills, including surgery, rehabilitation, and ongoing care
- Lost wages during recovery and reduced future earning capacity
- Property damage to clothing, glasses, or other personal belongings
- Disability-related expenses, including mobility equipment and home modifications
You may also recover non-economic damages for the ways your injuries affect your daily life, including:
- Physical pain and emotional suffering
- Loss of enjoyment of life and physical independence
- Loss of consortium for the impact on your marriage
In cases involving permanent disabilities or wrongful death, additional compensation may be available. Joe Stephens can evaluate your losses and help determine what damages you may pursue under Texas law.
What Property Hazards Cause Slip and Fall Accidents in Texas?
Dangerous conditions can exist almost anywhere, from grocery stores and restaurants to apartment buildings and office complexes. Property owners have a duty to take reasonable precautions based on the circumstances and the people entering their property.
Joe handles slip and fall claims involving hazards such as:
- Wet floors in grocery stores, restaurants, or businesses
- Spills or leaks in public areas
- Uneven sidewalks, pavement, or flooring
- Poorly maintained stairs or broken railings
- Inadequate lighting in walkways or parking lots
- Tripping hazards such as loose rugs, misplaced objects, or cords
- Slippery surfaces caused by ice or snow
- Other unsafe property conditions that lead to falls
Proving negligence often requires more than showing that a dangerous condition existed. Joe investigates how long the hazard was present, whether the property owner knew about it, and what steps could have prevented your injuries.
What Duties Do Texas Property Owners Owe Visitors?
Texas slip and fall claims generally fall under premises liability law. This area of law addresses injuries caused by unsafe property conditions. However, property owners don’t owe everyone the same legal duty. Your reason for entering the property can affect what the owner was required to do to protect you.
On private property:
- Customers at stores, restaurants, and other businesses are considered invitees and receive the highest level of protection. Property owners must use reasonable care to identify dangerous conditions and fix or warn about hazards they know or should know exist
- Social guests and other permitted visitors are generally considered licensees and receive more limited protection. Property owners generally must warn them about hidden dangers they actually know about
- People entering property without permission are generally considered trespassers and receive limited protection. Property owners must avoid willful, wanton, or grossly negligent conduct, although additional protections may apply to children
An experienced Texas slip and fall accident lawyer can review why you were on the property, what caused your fall, and whether the owner failed to meet the applicable legal duty.
How Do You Prove a Texas Property Owner Was Negligent?
Just because you fell on someone else’s property doesn’t automatically mean the owner is responsible. To recover compensation, you generally must show that the owner failed to meet the legal duty required by your visitor status and that this failure caused your injuries.
For a typical slip and fall claim, Joe works to establish four key elements:
- The property owner owed you a legal duty to take reasonable steps to keep the premises safe
- The property owner knew or reasonably should have known about the dangerous condition
- The property owner failed to use reasonable care to fix the hazard or provide an adequate warning
- The dangerous condition caused your fall and resulted in injuries or financial losses
How Do These Elements Apply to a Real-World Accident?
Imagine you’re shopping at H-E-B when you slip on a puddle of water near the refrigerated section. You fall and fracture your wrist.
The store owed you a duty of reasonable care as a customer and invitee. Surveillance footage shows the puddle had been present long enough that employees reasonably should have discovered it. No employees cleaned the spill or placed a warning sign nearby. Your medical records then confirm that the fall caused your injury.
These facts could support a slip and fall accident lawsuit against the grocery store.
If you’ve been hurt in an accident, you’re probably feeling overwhelmed and unsure where to turn. Joe Stephens is here to listen, guide you, and fight for the full compensation you need to move forward with your life.
What Should You Do After a Slip and Fall Accident?
What you do after a fall can affect your health and your ability to recover compensation. Property owners may clean up hazards quickly, and surveillance footage can disappear before you have a chance to request it.
Taking the following steps can help protect your Texas slip and fall claim:
- Notify the property owner or manager and ask for a written incident report
- Take photos or videos of the dangerous condition, surrounding area, and visible injuries
- Get the names and contact information of anyone who saw your fall or the unsafe condition
- Visit a doctor even if your injuries seem minor because some symptoms may develop later
- Avoid giving recorded statements or accepting settlement offers before understanding your rights
- Speak with a slip and fall lawyer who can help preserve evidence, investigate the accident, and identify filing deadlines
In Texas, you generally have two years from the date of your injury to file a personal injury lawsuit. The sooner Joe begins investigating your accident, the better the opportunity to preserve important evidence and meet critical deadlines.
Talk to Joe Stephens About Your Texas Slip and Fall Injury
Whether you were injured at a Houston shopping center, a Katy grocery store, or a business in East Texas, a serious fall can leave you with more questions than answers.
You don’t have to navigate these questions alone. With over 40 years of experience representing injured Texans, Joe Stephens knows how to investigate unsafe property conditions, challenge insurance companies, and pursue compensation for your losses. From his offices in Houston, Katy, and Marshall, Joe provides personal attention and practical legal guidance throughout your case.
Call (281)-201-0035 or contact us online to schedule your free consultation with The Stephens Law Firm, with no legal fees unless Joe wins your case.
Texas Slip and Fall Accident FAQs
Is It Hard to Win a Slip and Fall Case?
Slip and fall cases can be difficult because you must prove that the property owner knew or should have known about the hazard and failed to take reasonable precautions. However, photos, surveillance footage, witness statements, and maintenance records can help establish negligence. Joe can review your evidence and explain the strengths and challenges of your case.
Can You Sue a Grocery Store if You Fall?
Yes, you may be able to sue a grocery store if its negligence caused your injuries. For example, a store may be responsible for failing to address a dangerous hazard that employees knew or should have known about. However, the store isn’t automatically liable for every fall. You must establish the required elements of your claim.
How Long Do I Have to File a Slip and Fall Claim?
Texas generally gives you two years from the date of your injury to file a slip and fall lawsuit. Some exceptions may change this deadline, and claims involving government entities may require much earlier notice. Contacting a slip and fall attorney in Texas promptly can help protect your right to seek compensation.
How Much Compensation Can You Get for a Fall in a Supermarket?
There is no standard settlement amount for a supermarket fall. Your potential compensation depends on your medical expenses, lost income, pain, long-term injuries, and the available evidence of negligence. Joe can evaluate your slip and fall accident case and help you understand what a fair settlement may look like.