ST. LOUIS SLIP AND FALL ATTORNEY

While every case is unique, most valid slip and fall claims involve three key elements:

Damages

Medical bills, missed work, ongoing pain, or long-term physical limitations resulting from the fall.

Negligence

A property owner failed to fix or warn about a dangerous condition, such as an unattended spill, broken steps, poor lighting, or ice buildup.

Liability Coverage

An insurance policy or a legally responsible party exists, which is how most slip and fall claims are pursued.

Many people assume falls are “just accidents.” In reality, they’re often caused by poor maintenance, delayed repairs, or ignored safety hazards.

The steps you take after a fall can protect both your health and your potential claim.

Start by seeking medical care, even if your injuries don’t seem serious right away. Some injuries take time to show symptoms, and medical records help connect your condition to the fall.

If the accident happened at a business or apartment complex, report it to the property owner or manager and ask for an incident report. Take photos or videos of the hazard and the surrounding area before it’s cleaned up or repaired. If anyone witnessed the fall, collect their contact information.

As you recover, keep track of medical treatment, missed work, and how the injury affects your daily life. It’s also important to avoid giving recorded statements to insurance companies before understanding your rights.

Slip and fall accidents often stem from hazards that should have been addressed. Common causes include:

• Wet or slippery floors from spills, leaks, or cleaning
• Uneven surfaces like cracked sidewalks, loose tiles, or torn carpeting
• Poor lighting in stairwells, hallways, or parking areas
• Cluttered walkways and unsecured cords or merchandise
• Broken stairs or missing handrails
• Weather-related hazards such as ice, snow, or tracked-in rain

Property owners can’t control the weather, but they are expected to take reasonable steps to reduce known risks.

Where your fall happened matters because different properties carry different legal responsibilities.

• Apartment buildings: Landlords are generally responsible for keeping common areas safe and addressing known hazards or code violations.
• Retail stores and businesses: Businesses must regularly inspect their property, clean hazards promptly, and warn customers about dangerous conditions.
• Airbnb or short-term rentals: These cases may involve host insurance, homeowner policies, or platform coverage, depending on the circumstances.

Each setting comes with different legal duties and insurance coverage, which is why a thorough investigation matters.

Missouri follows a pure comparative negligence system. This means you can still recover compensation even if you were partly responsible for your fall; your recovery is simply reduced by your percentage of fault.

For example, if a jury finds that a property owner failed to clean up a spill but also believes you were 20% responsible for not noticing warning signs, your total compensation would be reduced by that 20%. You would still be eligible to recover the remaining portion.

Insurance companies frequently rely on comparative negligence arguments to minimize payouts. They may claim you “weren’t paying attention,” “were distracted,” or “should have seen the hazard.” This is why evidence matters. Photos of the scene, maintenance records, witness statements, and incident reports can all help show that unsafe conditions, not carelessness, caused your injuries.

Even when fault is disputed, Missouri law does not automatically bar recovery. A careful investigation can make a meaningful difference in how responsibility is assigned and how much compensation remains available.

Depending on the circumstances, compensation may include:

• Medical expenses and future treatment needs
• Lost wages or reduced earning capacity
• Pain and suffering
• Emotional distress
• Permanent disability or long-term limitations

There’s no true “average settlement.” The value of a claim depends on injury severity, recovery time, and the impact on your life.

Missouri law sets strict deadlines for filing slip and fall lawsuits, and missing them can prevent recovery altogether. While many timelines begin on the date of the accident, others may depend on factors such as whether the fall occurred on government property, whether injuries were discovered later, or whether the claim involves a wrongful death.

Some situations also require additional notice steps before a lawsuit can even be filed, which can shorten the window to act. Because these rules can change based on the details of the case, waiting too long can limit your options before you realize it.

Acting early helps preserve evidence, secure witness statements, and protect your ability to pursue compensation if negligence played a role.

In many cases, yes. Landlords are typically responsible for maintaining common areas and addressing known hazards. Liability often depends on whether the landlord knew or should have known about the dangerous condition and failed to fix it.

Each situation is fact-specific, which is why legal review matters.

You can still pursue a claim even if you didn’t immediately report the fall. However, delayed reporting can make a case harder to prove. Medical records, photos, witness statements, and maintenance records become especially important in these situations.

Slip and fall claims involving government property follow different rules and may require special notice procedures. These cases tend to be more complex and time-sensitive, making early legal guidance especially important.

Slip and fall injuries can impact nearly every part of life, often in ways people don’t expect at first.

• Physically: Falls can cause serious injuries such as broken bones (especially hips, wrists, and ankles), traumatic brain injuries or concussions, spinal cord damage, herniated discs, and soft tissue injuries that lead to chronic pain or reduced mobility.
• Emotionally: Injuries may trigger anxiety, depression, sleep disruption, or a lasting fear of falling again, particularly for older adults or those with mobility limitations.
• Financially: The costs add up quickly. Medical bills, rehabilitation, missed work, and reduced earning capacity can place long-term strain on individuals and families.

Compensation exists to help address these lasting consequences, not just immediate expenses, when a fall occurs because a property owner failed to keep their space reasonably safe.

Strong claims are supported by evidence such as:

• Photos or videos of the hazard
• Witness statements
• Incident reports
• Medical records
• Maintenance or inspection logs

This evidence helps show that a property owner failed to take reasonable steps to keep the premises safe.

No. Consultations are always free. Morgan & Morgan believes everyone deserves access to strong legal representation, regardless of financial circumstances. You only pay if we win for you. The Fee Is Free®.

Slip and fall cases often involve powerful insurance companies and disputed liability. Morgan & Morgan brings decades of premises liability experience, trial-ready resources, and dedicated legal teams to fight for injured people across Missouri.

You focus on healing. We handle the fight.

If you were injured in a slip and fall in St. Louis, a free case evaluation can help you understand your options and next steps.