PADUCAH SLIP AND FALL ATTORNEY

Not every fall leads to a lawsuit, but many do, especially when someone else’s negligence created (or failed to fix) a dangerous condition. In general, you may have a claim if:

• You suffered legitimate damages. Medical bills, lost income, pain and suffering, and other losses are the foundation of a personal injury claim.
• A property owner or business was negligent. Maybe a spill wasn’t cleaned up, a floor was left uneven, or a stairway wasn’t well-lit.
• Their negligence directly caused your injury. You need a clear link between the hazard and your fall.
• There’s an insurance policy to pursue. Most claims go through an insurer, not the individual property owner.

If you're unsure whether your fall qualifies, talking to a lawyer early can help clarify your rights.

Slip and falls happen for many reasons, but certain hazards show up again and again throughout grocery stores, parking lots, apartment complexes, restaurants, sidewalks, and workplaces in Paducah:

• Wet or freshly mopped floors with no warning signs
• Spilled food or beverages
• Uneven sidewalks or cracked flooring
• Loose rugs, torn carpeting, or broken tiles
• Poor lighting in stairwells, hallways, or parking areas
• Cluttered walkways, cords, or merchandise
• Broken railings or unstable staircases
• Snow or ice accumulation near entrances
• Leaks that create slippery conditions

Each of these hazards can create liability when property owners fail to prevent, fix, or warn visitors about the danger.

Your health comes first. Get medical attention even if you think you’re “okay,” because many injuries start subtly and worsen later.

Once you’ve received care, try to:

• Notify the property owner or manager and ask for an incident report
• Photograph the hazard before it’s cleaned up or repaired
• Get names and phone numbers of any witnesses
• Keep your shoes, clothing, and anything affected by the fall
• Track your symptoms, medical appointments, and missed work

The earlier you document everything, the stronger your claim will be.

To hold a property owner responsible, you need to show that:

• They had a duty to keep the property reasonably safe.
• They breached that duty by failing to fix or warn about a hazard.
• The breach caused your injuries.
• You suffered actual damages, such as medical bills or lost income.

Evidence is key: photos, medical records, witness statements, surveillance footage, and inspection logs can all help establish fault.

Yes. Businesses owe customers the highest level of care under Kentucky law. If a store failed to maintain safe conditions or ignored a hazard long enough that they “should have known” about it, they may be liable for your injuries. This includes:

• Grocery stores
• Retailers
• Restaurants
• Gas stations
• Hotels
• Big-box stores
• Shopping centers

Most claims are paid through commercial liability insurance.

Kentucky gives injured people a limited window to file a lawsuit. Missing this deadline can completely bar you from recovering compensation. Because evidence fades quickly, cameras overwrite footage, spills get cleaned, and hazards are repaired, you should speak with an attorney as soon as possible.

Yes. Medical records are some of the strongest evidence you have. They help prove:

• Your injury actually occurred
• The fall caused (or worsened) the injury
• The severity and long-term impact

Delaying treatment can give an insurance company ammunition to claim you weren’t seriously hurt.

Often, yes. Landlords must maintain common areas, including hallways, parking lots, stairwells, and entryways, in reasonably safe condition. They may also be responsible for hazards inside your apartment if:

• They knew (or should have known) about the issue
• You previously reported the hazard
• It violated a building code or safety ordinance
• It existed before you moved in and wasn’t disclosed

These cases depend heavily on documentation, inspection reports, and witness statements.

Slip and fall victims in Paducah may recover compensation for:

• Medical bills (past and future)
• Lost wages and diminished earning capacity
• Physical pain and emotional suffering
• Scarring or disfigurement
• Mobility limitations or long-term disability
• Loss of enjoyment of life

In the most severe cases, victims may seek compensation for permanent impairment or wrongful death.

There’s no exact timeline. Some cases resolve in a few months, while others, especially those involving surgery, long-term treatment, or disputed liability, take longer. Factors include:

• How severe your injuries are
• Whether the property owner accepts responsibility
• The quality of evidence
• Whether a lawsuit becomes necessary

Your attorney will keep you informed as the case progresses and recommend when it’s appropriate to settle or push forward.

You can still recover compensation. Kentucky follows comparative negligence, meaning your recovery is reduced by your percentage of fault rather than eliminated.

Insurance companies love to blame victims, even when the hazard was obvious or ignored. Having an attorney prevents them from unfairly using this rule.

There’s no upfront cost. Morgan & Morgan handles slip and fall cases on a contingency fee basis, meaning:

• You pay nothing to start
• You pay nothing out of pocket
• You only pay if we win

If we don’t win your case, you owe nothing, period.

Slip and fall accidents on government or public property, such as sidewalks, courthouses, post offices, schools, or city buildings, follow different rules than claims against private property owners. City, county, and state agencies are often protected by special laws that limit liability and require you to follow a very specific claims process.

In many cases, you must submit a formal written notice to the government agency before you can file a lawsuit. These notices must be submitted to the correct office, contain required details, and be filed within a much shorter timeframe than standard personal injury claims. Missing a deadline or leaving out information can cause your case to be dismissed, even if your injuries are serious.

If you slipped on public property, it’s important to document the scene, get medical treatment, save records, and speak with an attorney as soon as possible. A lawyer familiar with Kentucky’s requirements can determine which agency is responsible, prepare the notice, track deadlines, and protect your right to compensation.

Security cameras can show:

• How long the hazard existed
• Whether employees walked past it
• How the fall happened
• Whether warning signs were in place

Businesses often don’t keep footage long, so your attorney will move fast to request it before it’s deleted.

They do, and understanding the distinction can make a major difference in how your case is handled.

• Commercial properties have ongoing duties to inspect, clean, and maintain safe conditions for customers.
• Residential properties owe duties based on landlord-tenant law, building codes, and the owner’s knowledge of hazards.

The standards of care and the evidence needed can vary significantly. A slip and fall attorney can help identify which rules apply and build the strongest case under Kentucky law.

Because slip and fall cases can be tough, especially when businesses deny fault or blame the victim. Morgan & Morgan brings:

• A deep understanding of Kentucky’s premises liability laws
• Decades of trial experience
• The resources of America’s Largest Injury Law Firm
• Local attorneys familiar with Paducah businesses and insurers
• Investigators, experts, and a team built for litigation

We don’t back down when someone’s negligence causes real harm. If you’re considering next steps, we offer a free case evaluation to review your situation, and The Fee Is Free®, meaning you pay nothing unless we win.