Just about everyone who has walked in any kind of urban area has seen a cracked or uneven sidewalk they had to veer around or carefully make their way over. However, if you fail to spot a dangerous sidewalk before you walk over it, you may wind up slipping or tripping and falling in a way that causes you to suffer a serious physical injury—something that far too many Arizonans learn each year.
Taking proactive legal action over a sidewalk slip and fall accident in Phoenix, AZ can work very differently from other types of slip and fall claims in many situations, especially if the “defendant” you need to file suit against is a local government employee or organization. No matter who specifically holds the blame for your injury, though, help from a seasoned slip and fall lawyer could dramatically improve your chances of achieving a favorable case result and getting paid everything you deserve.
Who Is Liable for a Defective Sidewalk in Phoenix?
Under local Phoenix law, the responsibility of maintaining a sidewalk in safe condition for patrons and passersby alike can shift between different people depending on what kind of property is immediately adjacent to the section of sidewalk in question. If there is a business directly abutting a section of sidewalk, the business and/or landowner is generally the person who is responsible for keeping the sidewalk maintained, and the same principle often applies to sidewalks directly adjacent to private residential property.
If there is no commercial or private property right next to a sidewalk, though, liability for an ensuing slip and fall accident might lie with the City of Phoenix. While it is certainly not impossible to sue the City over an injury sustained under circumstances like this, there are a few additional rules for these sorts of cases that are worth discussing in advance with a knowledgeable slip and fall attorney. For example, anyone intending to sue the City of Phoenix over a personal injury must formally notify the City of their intentions within 180 days of when they first got hurt, which is a significantly shorter effective deadline than the two years generally allowed for civil suits to begin against private citizens and businesses.
Recovering for Short-Term and Long-Term Losses
Fortunately, the Arizona State Constitution expressly prohibits legislators from putting “caps” on how much money a state resident can recover for personal injury damages stemming from someone else’s damages. This means that regardless of who is liable in legal terms for a sidewalk trip and fall accident in Phoenix, a successful claimant filing suit over that accident can demand compensation for the full value of past and future, economic and non-economic losses caused by their fall, including:
- All medical expenses for accident-related injuries and care
- Lost working ability and/or work income
- Personal property damage/loss
- Physical pain and suffering
- Emotional and psychological distress
- Lost overall enjoyment/quality of life
Recoverable damages will vary from case to case, which is once again something our seasoned legal professionals can go into further detail about during a private initial meeting.
Let a Phoenix, AZ Attorney Help After a Sidewalk Slip and Fall Accident
Sidewalks are not soft surfaces to fall on, and it is not uncommon for accidents involving them to result in long-lasting and even permanently debilitating injuries. Without support from a qualified legal representative, though, you may have a lot of trouble recovering financially for any of the losses you have sustained, let alone the full amount you should be entitled to under Arizona law.
Sidewalk slip and fall accidents in Phoenix, AZ are not the kind of thing you should try handling by yourself. Call the Phillips Law Group today to discuss your options with an experienced member of our team. Unlike other firms, our attorneys are not afraid to take your case to court to fight for the maximum amount of compensation you deserve.
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