Most slip and fall accidents take less than two seconds. Recovering from one can take months, sometimes years. In that time, you may face surgeries, missed work, physical therapy appointments, and a stack of bills that keeps growing while the property owner who caused your injury moves on with their day.
The team at Richard Schwartz & Associates believes that's not justice, and we've built our Jackson slip-and-fall lawyer practice on changing that outcome for our clients.
Our roots in Mississippi run deep. From our headquarters near downtown Jackson to families we've served across Hinds County and beyond, we treat every client like a neighbor because most of them are. We listen to your story, investigate what really happened, and fight for the compensation that lets you focus on healing instead of fighting insurance adjusters.
Call (601) 800-5559 anytime, day or night, for a free consultation. Let us help you seek the justice you deserve.
Why Choose Our Jackson Slip and Fall Attorneys
When you've been injured on someone else's property, you need a legal team that listens, cares, and fights hard for your recovery. We've built our reputation by treating every client like family and pursuing every case with the attention it deserves.
Here's what sets our firm apart:
- More than 40 years of combined experience handling personal injury claims throughout Mississippi
- Over $1 billion recovered for injured clients and their families
- Recognition from Attorneys and Practice Magazine as one of the top personal injury firms in the state
- Free case evaluations with no obligation to hire us
- No fees unless we win your case, so you never pay out of pocket
- 24/7 availability because injuries don't follow business hours
- Local roots in Jackson and deep ties to the Mississippi communities we serve
We know that choosing a lawyer after an injury can feel like a big decision. Our team is here to make the process easier, walking you through each step in plain language and answering every question along the way.
Reach out today for a free consultation and let us show you how we can help.
What Is a Slip and Fall Case?
A slip and fall case is a type of personal injury claim that falls under an area of law called premises liability. Premises liability is the legal idea that property owners have a duty to keep their property reasonably safe for visitors. When they fail to meet that duty, and someone gets hurt, they can be held financially responsible.
These accidents can happen almost anywhere in Jackson, including:
- Grocery stores, retail shops, and shopping centers like Northpark Mall
- Restaurants, bars, and coffee shops
- Hotels, motels, and short-term rentals
- Apartment complexes and rental properties
- Office buildings and parking garages
- Hospitals, clinics, and nursing homes
- Public sidewalks and government buildings
- Gas stations and convenience stores
- Gyms, swimming pools, and recreational facilities
No matter where your fall happened, our team can review the details and help you understand whether you have a valid claim worth pursuing.
Common Causes of Slip and Fall Accidents in Jackson
Slip and fall accidents rarely happen by accident in the truest sense. Most are the direct result of unsafe conditions that a property owner knew about or should have known about. When property owners cut corners on safety, innocent people pay the price.
Some of the most common causes we see in our Jackson cases include:
- Wet or slippery floors without warning signs after mopping or spills
- Torn carpeting, loose tiles, or uneven flooring that creates tripping hazards
- Poor lighting in stairwells, parking lots, and hallways
- Broken handrails on stairs and ramps
- Cracked sidewalks or potholes in walkways and parking areas
- Cluttered aisles or merchandise blocking walking paths
- Weather-related hazards like rainwater tracked inside or icy entryways during winter cold snaps
- Spilled liquids or food left unattended for too long
- Construction debris left in walking areas
These dangerous conditions can lead to serious harm, especially for older adults and people with existing health issues. If any of these hazards caused your injury, you may have grounds for a claim against the property owner.
Injuries That Can Result from a Slip and Fall
People often think of slip and fall accidents as minor, but the truth is, they can cause severe and lasting injuries. The Mississippi State Department of Health recognizes falls as a major cause of injury across all age groups. The impact of hitting a hard surface can damage bones, joints, and even the brain.
Common injuries our clients have suffered include:
- Broken bones, especially in the wrist, hip, ankle, and arm
- Traumatic brain injuries (TBI), which is damage to the brain caused by a sudden blow or jolt
- Spinal cord injuries that can cause partial or full paralysis
- Soft tissue injuries like sprains, strains, and torn ligaments
- Cuts, bruises, and lacerations that may require stitches
- Knee and shoulder injuries that often require surgery
- Facial injuries including dental damage and broken noses
- Chronic pain conditions that develop in the months after a fall
Some of these injuries heal with time and treatment, while others can leave permanent limitations. We work hard to make sure your settlement reflects both your immediate medical costs and the long-term impact on your life.
Mississippi Premises Liability Law Explained
Mississippi law sets clear rules about when property owners can be held responsible for injuries on their property. Understanding these rules helps explain why some slip and fall cases succeed while others struggle. Our team knows Mississippi premises liability law inside and out, and we use that knowledge to build strong cases.
In Mississippi, the duty a property owner owes you depends on why you were on the property:
- Invitees are people invited onto the property for the owner's benefit, like customers in a store. Property owners owe invitees the highest duty of care, including regular inspections and warnings about known dangers.
- Licensees are social guests or others who enter with permission but not for the owner's business. Owners must warn licensees about known hidden dangers.
- Trespassers generally are not owed a duty of care, with some exceptions for children.
Mississippi also follows a rule called pure comparative negligence, which is explained in Mississippi Code Section 11-7-15. This rule means your compensation can be reduced by the percentage you were at fault for your own injury, but you can still recover damages even if you were partly to blame. For example, if a jury finds you 20% at fault, your award would be reduced by 20%.
Knowing how to apply these rules to your specific situation makes a real difference in the outcome of your case.
How Long Do You Have to File a Slip and Fall Claim in Mississippi?
Time is one of the most important factors in any personal injury case. Mississippi has a law called the statute of limitations, which sets a deadline for filing a lawsuit. Miss this deadline, and you may lose your right to recover compensation, no matter how strong your case is.
For most personal injury claims in Mississippi, including slip and fall cases, you generally have three years from the date of the accident to file a lawsuit. This rule comes from Mississippi Code Section 15-1-49. Cases involving government property, such as a fall on a sidewalk in downtown Jackson, may have shorter deadlines and special notice requirements under the Mississippi Tort Claims Act.
While three years may sound like plenty of time, evidence disappears quickly after an accident. Surveillance video gets erased, witnesses move away, and physical hazards get repaired. The sooner you contact our team, the better chance we have of preserving the evidence needed to prove your case.
Compensation You May Be Able to Recover
A serious slip and fall injury can leave you facing huge medical bills, lost income, and lasting pain. Mississippi law allows injured people to seek different types of compensation, often called damages, to make them whole again. While no amount of money can undo what happened, fair compensation can help you rebuild your life.
You may be able to recover money for:
- Past and future medical expenses, including hospital stays, surgeries, physical therapy, and prescription medications
- Lost wages for the time you missed from work while recovering
- Loss of future earning capacity if your injuries prevent you from returning to your previous job
- Pain and suffering for the physical pain caused by your injuries
- Emotional distress including anxiety, depression, and loss of enjoyment of life
- Property damage for personal items broken in the fall
- Costs of long-term care if your injuries require ongoing assistance
Every case is different, and the value of your claim depends on factors like the severity of your injuries, the strength of the evidence, and how the accident has affected your daily life. Our team of slip-and-fall lawyers in Jackson takes the time to fully document every loss so we can pursue the maximum compensation available.
How Our Slip and Fall Accident Lawyers Build a Strong Case
Winning a slip and fall case requires more than just showing that you fell. We have to prove that the property owner's negligence directly caused your injuries. That takes thorough investigation, careful preparation, and a deep understanding of Mississippi law.
When you hire our firm, we get to work right away on tasks like:
- Gathering evidence from the scene, including photos, surveillance footage, and incident reports
- Interviewing witnesses who saw the fall or knew about the dangerous condition
- Reviewing your medical records to document the full extent of your injuries
- Consulting with experts in fields like accident reconstruction and medicine when needed
- Calculating your damages to make sure no expense is overlooked
- Negotiating with insurance companies that often try to pay as little as possible
- Preparing for trial if a fair settlement cannot be reached
Insurance companies have teams of adjusters and lawyers working to protect their bottom line. You deserve a legal team that fights just as hard for you. Our attorneys have been protecting injured Mississippians for decades, and we bring that experience to every case we handle.
What to Expect When You Contact Us
Reaching out to a slip and fall lawyer for the first time can feel intimidating, especially when you're already dealing with pain and stress. We've designed our process to be as simple and welcoming as possible. From your first phone call to the resolution of your case, we keep you informed every step of the way.
When you call us, here's what happens:
- A friendly team member answers any time of day or night
- We schedule a free consultation at a time and place that works for you
- We listen carefully to your story and answer your questions
- We review the facts and explain whether you have a strong case
- We explain the next steps in plain language with no pressure to hire us
- If you choose to work with us, we handle everything on a contingency fee basis
A contingency fee means you pay nothing unless we win your case. There are no upfront costs and no hidden fees, so you can focus on healing while we focus on the legal work.
FAQs Answered by Our Jackson Slip and Fall Lawyers
Below are answers to some of the most common questions we hear from clients dealing with slip and fall injuries in Jackson and across Mississippi.
How much does it cost to hire a slip and fall accident lawyer?
Our firm handles slip and fall cases on a contingency fee basis, which means you pay nothing upfront. We only collect a fee if we recover compensation for you. This arrangement allows anyone to access quality legal representation, regardless of their financial situation.
What should I do if a store refuses to give me their incident report?
You generally have a right to request a copy of any incident report you sign or that involves your injury, but stores are not always required to provide it immediately. If you're having trouble getting documentation, contact our office. We have legal tools to obtain reports, video footage, and other evidence as part of building your case.
How long does a slip and fall case take to resolve?
The timeline varies widely based on the complexity of the case, the severity of your injuries, and whether the insurance company is willing to negotiate fairly. Some cases settle within a few months, while others take a year or more, especially if a lawsuit becomes necessary. We work to resolve every case as quickly as possible without sacrificing the value of your claim.
What if my fall happened on government property in Jackson?
Claims against city, county, or state property are handled under the Mississippi Tort Claims Act, which has shorter deadlines and special notice requirements. You may need to file a formal notice of claim within 90 days. Contact us right away if your fall happened on government property so we can protect your rights.
What if the property owner says they didn't know about the dangerous condition?
A property owner can still be held responsible if they should have known about the hazard through reasonable inspection. For example, if a spill sat on a grocery store floor for hours without being cleaned up, the store may be liable even if no employee actually saw it. Our investigation often uncovers evidence of negligence that property owners try to hide.
Contact a Jackson Slip and Fall Lawyer Today
You don't have to face the road to recovery alone. If you or someone you love has been injured in a slip and fall accident in Jackson or anywhere in Mississippi, the team at Richard Schwartz & Associates is ready to help. We've spent more than four decades fighting for injured Mississippians, and we're prepared to put that experience to work for you.
Time is critical in slip and fall cases, so don't wait to get the legal help you deserve. Call our Jackson office today at (601) 800-5559 for a free, no-obligation consultation. We're available 24/7, and there are no fees unless we win your case. Let our family help your family find the answers and the compensation you need to move forward.