OWENSBORO SLIP AND FALL ATTORNEY

Not every fall results in a legal claim, but many do, especially when a property owner fails to fix or warn about dangerous conditions. In Kentucky, you may have a valid case if you suffered measurable injuries, the hazard should have been addressed by the property owner, and there is adequate insurance coverage to compensate you.

Because premises liability cases often involve disputed facts, having an attorney evaluate the scene, the hazard, and the circumstances helps determine whether the standard of care was breached.

Your health comes first. Seek medical care even if the injury feels minor. Internal injuries, sprains, concussions, and fractures often appear gradually.

If you’re able, document the scene; take photos of the hazard, notify the property owner or manager, and request an incident report. Gather witness information, keep all medical records, and track how the injury affects your ability to work, walk, sleep, or carry out daily tasks.

Reaching out to a lawyer early preserves critical evidence before it disappears or is destroyed.

Kentucky sets strict deadlines for personal injury claims, and missing them may prevent you from filing altogether. Because evidence fades quickly, spills get cleaned, cameras overwrite footage, and weather changes conditions, it's best to consult an attorney right away. They’ll ensure your case is filed on time and supported with the strongest documentation possible.

Timelines depend on the severity of injuries, the clarity of liability, and whether the insurance company is willing to negotiate in good faith. Some cases resolve within months; others take longer if litigation is required. Morgan & Morgan prepares each case as if it may go before a jury, which often motivates insurers to settle for a fair amount.

Consultations are completely free, and you pay nothing upfront. Our contingency structure ensures your attorney is fully invested in achieving the best outcome. Instead of hourly fees or retainers, our payment comes as a percentage of the recovery only if we win your case. This means you can pursue justice without worrying about financial barriers, and your lawyer’s goals are aligned with yours from day one.

Slip and fall accidents can happen almost anywhere, but certain locations in Owensboro tend to pose higher risks due to foot traffic, exposure to the elements, or inadequate maintenance.

• Grocery stores and supermarkets: Spilled liquids, produce, broken packaging, and recently mopped aisles often create slippery surfaces. These businesses are expected to perform frequent inspections and cleanups to keep shoppers safe.
• Parking lots and sidewalks: Cracked pavement, potholes, oil slicks, and icy walkways are common causes of outdoor falls. Property owners, including shopping centers, office parks, and municipalities, must take reasonable steps to repair hazards or warn visitors.
• Restaurants and shopping centers: High-traffic areas increase the risk of dropped food, spills, cluttered walkways, or loose mats, which can easily lead to falls.
• Apartment complexes and rental properties: Broken staircases, unlit hallways, loose handrails, and poorly maintained common areas often contribute to tenant and visitor injuries. Landlords have a duty to keep shared spaces reasonably safe.
• Hotels, motels, and short-term rentals: Wet bathroom floors, slick pool decks, loose carpeting, and poorly maintained entryways pose dangers for guests. Short-term rental hosts must still maintain safe conditions for visitors, even in residential-style spaces.
• Workplaces and industrial sites: Falls often occur in warehouses, factories, construction sites, and office buildings, especially when spills aren’t cleaned promptly or when floors are uneven. These cases may involve both workers’ compensation and third-party liability.
• Public buildings and municipal areas: Libraries, government offices, parks, and public facilities can all contain hazards like unmarked wet floors, damaged steps, or icy walkways. Claims involving government entities may follow special procedures.

Each of these locations has different rules governing who may be held responsible, what evidence is required, and how insurance coverage applies. An attorney can help determine which party, or parties, may be liable and how best to pursue compensation.

To establish negligence, your attorney must show that:

• The property owner owed you a duty of care
• A hazardous condition existed
• The owner knew or should have known about it
• They failed to fix or warn about it
• This failure directly caused your injury

Evidence may include surveillance footage, maintenance logs, witness statements, inspection records, incident reports, and medical documentation. Your lawyer pieces together these elements to prove liability under Kentucky law.

Yes. Kentucky follows comparative negligence rules, meaning you can still recover damages even if you share some responsibility for the accident. Your compensation is simply reduced by your percentage of fault. For example, if a jury finds you 20% at fault for not noticing a spill, but the store was 80% at fault for failing to clean it up or place warning signs, you can still recover 80% of your total damages. Insurance companies frequently misuse this rule to minimize payouts, so having an attorney push back is essential.

Businesses must warn customers about hazards they know, or reasonably should know about. Wet floors, fresh mopping, leaks, spills, or slippery entryways require clear signage. When signs are missing or placed improperly, liability often increases. In many cases, the absence of a warning sign can help establish that the business failed to take basic safety precautions expected under Kentucky premises liability law.

Weather in Owensboro, rain, snow, or ice, can create dangerous property conditions, especially outdoors. While property owners can’t control the weather, they are responsible for reasonable maintenance, such as salting icy walkways, promptly removing snow, and keeping entrances safe. Liability may still apply if reasonable measures weren’t taken.

Yes, depending on who owns or controls the property. Parking lots in shopping centers, apartment complexes, or workplaces are often privately owned. Sidewalks may be city-managed, business-managed, or maintained by the property owner whose land borders that walkway. An attorney will determine which party is responsible.

Not always, but often. Businesses are not automatically liable for every fall. Liability depends on whether the hazard existed long enough to be addressed, whether it was foreseeable, whether the business performed regular inspections, and whether safety protocols were followed.

The stronger the evidence of negligence, the stronger the claim.

Yes, but the process is different. Workplace falls typically fall under Kentucky workers’ compensation. However, if a third party, such as a landlord, contractor, cleaning company, or equipment manufacturer, contributed to the hazard, you may have an additional claim. These dual-path cases can significantly increase potential compensation.

Surveillance footage is often the most valuable evidence available. It may show:

• How long the hazard existed
• Whether employees walked past it
• Whether warnings were provided
• The exact moment the fall occurred

Because video footage may be overwritten quickly, attorneys send preservation letters immediately to prevent its destruction.

Our attorneys conduct a comprehensive investigation that may include:

• Inspecting the accident scene
• Securing video footage
• Interviewing witnesses and employees
• Reviewing maintenance records and safety logs
• Consulting industry experts on property standards
• Reconstructing the timeline of the hazard

This thorough approach helps uncover negligence that might otherwise stay hidden.

You don’t need everything perfect, but bring whatever you have:

• Photos or videos of the hazard
• Incident reports
• Medical records or hospital discharge papers
• Witness contact information
• Communication from the business or insurer

Your attorney will handle gathering the rest.

Yes. Landlords must maintain common areas and warn tenants of known hazards. They may also be liable for defects inside the unit if they failed to disclose known issues or violated building codes. Each situation requires a fact-specific review.

This is common, and it does NOT prevent you from filing a claim. You can still document the scene yourself and notify the business in writing later. Your attorney can then request records directly from the property owner or their insurer.

Older adults are more prone to severe injuries like hip fractures, head trauma, and spinal damage. These cases often involve extensive rehabilitation and long-term care, increasing overall claim value. Businesses and landlords are expected to take extra precautions to protect vulnerable visitors.

Beyond physical injuries, many victims experience fear of falling again, anxiety, depression, or loss of independence. These non-economic damages are compensable under Kentucky law and may significantly affect total case value. Emotional trauma can also interfere with work, daily activities, and social relationships, creating a lasting impact that deserves recognition. Documenting these psychological effects through therapy records or personal statements can help strengthen your claim and ensure they are properly accounted for during settlement negotiations.

Slip and falls often result in surgeries, physical therapy, mobility aids, home modifications, or lifelong treatment. Your attorney projects future medical needs to ensure your compensation covers both current and long-term costs.

To strengthen your case:

• Photograph the hazard before it’s cleaned or repaired
• Ask for an incident report
• Get the names of employees and witnesses
• Seek medical care immediately
• Avoid giving recorded statements to insurers
• Contact an attorney quickly

The sooner your lawyer gets involved, the more evidence can be preserved.

Slip and fall cases demand fast action, thorough investigation, and the ability to stand up to businesses, landlords, or corporations that deny fault. With more than 1,000 trial-ready attorneys nationwide, Morgan & Morgan brings unmatched resources to Owensboro cases.

We operate on a contingency fee basis, The Fee Is Free®, meaning you pay nothing unless we win. Our attorneys fight to hold negligent property owners accountable and to ensure victims receive full compensation for their injuries, lost wages, pain, and long-term needs.

When a property owner’s negligence leaves you injured, you deserve answers, accountability, and a team that won’t back down. Morgan & Morgan brings the strength of America’s Largest Injury Law Firm to every Owensboro slip and fall case we take on. Get your free case evaluation now and find out how we can fight for you.