January 4, 2012

Slip-Resistant Flooring

As Phoenix slip and fall accident lawyers, it is no surprise that slip and fall accidents in the United States account for a significant percentage of accident injuries every year. In fact, slip, trip, and fall accidents in the country are the second most common cause of injuries next to motor vehicle accidents.

It is for this reason that U.S. laws and building codes require flooring that is slip resistant. In fact, they advocate the need for sustainable slip resistant flooring for buildings, which means that slip-resistance flooring should not only be slip-resistant during the installation, but throughout its life cycle as well. This is typically something that must be maintained throughout the years.

Slip and Fall Accident Statistics

According to statistics, millions of individuals in the United States have slip and fall accidents every year. Injured individuals in need of hospital treatment due to slip and fall accidents accounted for 25,000 every day. In the workplace, on the job slip and fall injuries were third in terms of workplace injuries.

Know More About Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA)

The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) requires non-slip flooring in public buildings. Slip-resistant flooring must be properly installed to ensure individual safety. The ADA, although especially created to assure the safety of disabled individuals, also has a positive effect to all users and invitees of business establishments. Lawsuits may be filed against owners who fail to comply with ADA requirements.

Advantages of Slip-resistant Flooring

Companies and building owners are starting to be aware of the importance of having slip resistant flooring on their premises. Having this safety measure lowers the rate of having slip and trip accident injuries on a premises. Several purposes of slip-resistant flooring are evident in store entrances, kitchen areas, swimming pool decks, water fountains, and other wet places.

Call an Experienced Phoenix Slip and Fall Accident Lawyer

Phoenix slip and fall accident injury victims can seek help from a skilled Arizona slip and fall accident lawyer. An experienced Phoenix personal injury lawyer can give an honest and straightforward evaluation of the case. Mark and Alexis Breyer, The Husband and Wife Law Team, can help you understand what makes a slip and fall case in Arizona and whether or not you will have a successful claim. We offer a free consultation with no obligation, so call today.

December 1, 2010

Risk of Serious Injury in Holiday Toys

As parents such as ourselves hit the toy stores this holiday season, it is important for all to be aware of the potential risk of serious injury that exists in many popular toys for our children. Last year, over 250,000 children were treated in hospital emergency rooms for injuries caused by toys (Consumer Produce Safety Commission 2009). Twelve children suffered a wrongful death after their injuries (CPSC 2009).

Safe Kids USA has compiled a few safety tips for parents to remember about purchasing safe toys and how to use them safely (2010).

• When purchasing toys, keep in mind the age-appropriateness of the items as well as your child’s development age. Some children may have reached the numerical age on a warning label but developmentally may be behind, and there is nothing wrong with that, but you need to keep this in mind to avoid purchasing a toy that could cause harm.
• Pick up toys and try them before buying them. Are there any loose parts or parts that could come off and pose a choking hazard? Any strings or cords that could cause a suffocation injury? Are there any exposed battery or wires that may cause electrocution? If the answer is yes to any of these questions, do not purchase that item.
• If you have both older and younger children in the house, teach them to keep the older children’s toys away from the little ones and to clean up completely after playing to prevent age-inappropriate toys from getting into the wrong hands (or mouths).
• Check all toy recalls often and follow through with the recall instructions as quickly as possible to get unsafe toys out of the toy chest.

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June 10, 2010

Goodyear Premises Liability and Slip and Fall Accident Lawyers

Goodyear, Arizona is most widely known for being founded by Tire & Rubber Company creator Paul Litchfield in 1917. Goodyear spans 116.5 square miles and has become a prominent city in Arizona with an estimated growth rate of 16% and has an approximate population of 59,508. A Citizen Satisfaction Survey revealed that about 96% of Goodyear inhabitants believe that the city is a safe place to reside. However, due to residents and visitors utilizing various businesses and properties, slip and fall accidents in Goodyear, in addition to other kinds of accidents caused by unsafe premises, take place.

Some common trip and fall or slip and fall accident injuries in Goodyear include broken bones, torn ligaments, concussion, spinal cord injury, and internal bruising or bleeding. These types of injuries may contribute to hefty hospital bills, pain and suffering, loss of past and future wages, and other damages. The physical, emotional, and financial consequences of a Goodyear slip and fall accident often depend on a person’s age; the position in which an individual falls; and the object(s) that a person falls onto.

When businesses or private property owners are negligent and fail to accurately warn of potential risks within a premises, injured individuals may be able to obtain compensation for injuries caused by slip and fall accidents. If you or a loved one have been injured in Goodyear due to a dangerous premise, a skilled Goodyear slip and fall accident attorney can assist you in holding negligent parties legally responsible for the accident and your subsequent injuries.

At Breyer Law Offices, P.C., our dedicated Arizona accident attorneys have years of experience in premises liability and personal injury litigation. We pride ourselves in providing potential clients with honest answers so that an injured individual and his or her family can make the best decision as to how to move forward. Contact Breyer Law today for a free, no-obligation consultation by calling 623-930-8064 or visit www.breyerlaw.com for more information.

June 8, 2010

Peoria Premises Liability and Slip and Fall Accident Lawyer

Peoria, Arizona is a city that is part of both Maricopa and Yavapai Counties. As the ninth largest city in Arizona, Peoria had an approximate population of 157,960 in July 2008. Located by and large in Maricopa County, Peoria is a bustling suburb of Phoenix and the fourth largest city based on land area. With such a vast amount of inhabitants and visitors utilizing a variety of businesses and different properties, slip and fall injury accidents in Peoria, as well as other accidents stemming from unsafe premises, take place from time to time.

Peoria slip and fall accidents can be more serious than several people would like to admit. These types of accidents can lead to broken bones, spinal cord injury, head trauma, torn ligaments, internal bruising and/or bleeding, and other severe injuries. The gravity of a trip and fall injury may depend on what a person lands on top of, an individual’s age, and the position of the fall. Slip and fall injuries often result in hefty hospital bills, medical treatment, loss of wages, pain and suffering, and other significant damages.

When a business or an owner of private property exercises negligence in failing to properly warn of potential dangers on a premise, he or she may be held legally responsible for oversight and disregard for visitor safety if a slip and fall or tripping injury occurs. If you or someone you care about has been injured in Peoria because of a hazardous premise, a skilled Peoria slip and fall accident lawyer can help you receive the compensation you need to get back on your feet.

At Breyer Law Offices, P.C., Mark and Alexis Breyer have dedicated several years as Arizona injury lawyers helping injured victims hold negligent parties responsible for a wide range of injury accidents, including slip and fall accidents. Our knowledgeable Peoria premises liability attorneys will explain all of your legal options and rights so that you and your family can make the best decision for your specific situation. Call 623-930-8064 for a free consultation or visit www.breyerlaw.com for more information.

May 19, 2010

Chandler Premises Liability and Slip and Fall Accident Attorneys

Chandler is a main suburb of the Arizona region that makes up Phoenix. With an approximate population of 247,000, Chandler is situation in Maricopa County and is surrounded by the busy cities of Mesa, Phoenix, Gilbert, Tempe, and also the Gila River Indian Community. With Interstate 10, the Price and the Santan Freeway within easy access, Chandler businesses thrive and residents enjoy a variety of activities. As such a densely populated and hectic area, injury and even fatal accidents sometimes take place on a wide range of properties and in Chandler slip and fall accidents.

Trip or slip and fall injury accidents in Chandler can be more serious than most individuals realize. Common injuries associated with these types of incidents include lacerations, broken bones, torn ligaments, sprains, spinal cord injury, and even brain injury. In many instances, how a person falls, his or her age, what they land on, and other circumstances, will play a significant role in severity and type of injuries sustained. Chandler slip trip falls that occur because of poor signage, insufficient warnings, or improperly maintained premises may contribute to pain and suffering, lost wages, steep medical bills, and other damages.

At Breyer Law Offices, P.C., our skilled Chandler slip and fall accident attorneys have years of experience assisting injury victims receive the compensation that they deserve. We understand the importance of holding negligent property owners liable for carelessness or reckless behavior that contributes to a serious injury or wrongful death. Mark and Alexis Breyer have the legal resources and skill to successfully handle any premises liability or slip and fall accident case. Contact us today for a free consultation of your potential injury claim by calling 480-753-4534.

April 16, 2010

Glendale Premises Liability and Slip and Fall Accident Lawyers

Situated in Maricopa County, the city of Glendale, Arizona has an approximate population of 251,522 and is only nine miles away from the downtown area of Phoenix. Several residents and visitors enjoy Glendale playing host to the Tostitos fiesta Bowl and being home to NHL’s Phoenix coyotes, N NFL’s Arizona Cardinals, and the NLL’s Arizona Sting. Super Bowl XLII brought much attention to Glendale’s vibrant and diverse community in 2008. With so many people using a wide range of businesses and various properties, slip and fall accidents in Glendale, as well as other accidents resulting from dangerous premises, occur once in a while.

Slip and fall accidents in Glendale are more serious than most individuals realize and can create several impositions for an injured person and his or her family to endure. Some factors that influence the severity of a slip fall accident injury include age, position of the fall and what a person falls onto. Whether a person suffers torn ligaments, broken bones, concussion, spinal cord injury, or internal bruising, slip and fall accidents can lead to steep medical bills, loss of past and future earnings, pain and suffering, and other damages.

If it is determined that a business or a private property owner neglected to properly warn of potential dangers on a premises, the owner may be held liable for their negligence and disregard for visitor safety if a slip and fall accident takes place. If you or someone close to you have been hurt in Glendale due to hazardous premise, an experienced Glendale slip and fall accident lawyer can help you obtain the compensation you need to get your life back in order.

Mark and Alexis Breyer at Breyer Law Offices, P.C. have devoted many years to assisting those injured by another person’s negligence in slip and fall accidents and several other personal injury incidents. As a knowledgeable and skilled Husband and Wife Law Team, Mark and Alexis Breyer will provide you with the information you need to decide what the next best step is for your particular situation. Call Breyer Law today at 623-930-8064 for a free, no-obligation consultation of your potential injury claim or visit www.breyerlaw.com for more helpful information.

March 25, 2010

Mesa Premises Liability Slip and Fall Accident Attorneys

As a popular suburb of Phoenix, Mesa is situated in Maricopa County and has a history that dates back two thousand years to the Hohokam people’s arrival when they built the city’s original canal systems. Mesa has definitely progressed since then and is now the third-largest city in Arizona with an estimated population of 460,155 in 2006. With so many residents and visitors utilizing a large quantity of businesses and a wide range of properties, slip and fall accidents, as well as other incidents caused by unsafe or poorly managed premises, take place from time to time in Mesa.

Many people do not realize just how serious a slip and fall accident can be for an injured individual and their family. Depending on the age of an individual, the position in which they fall, and what they happen to fall onto, some common slip and fall injuries include lacerations, bruising, broken bones, sprains, ligament tears, concussions, spinal cord injury, or internal bruising. Although these injuries vary, they are all potentially capable of inflicting steep medical costs, loss of wages, pain and suffering, and other damages upon an injured person.

If a private property owner or public business fails to provide notice of probable danger on a premise, the owner of that property may be held legally responsible for their negligence if a slip and fall injury accident occurs. If you or a loved one has been injured in Mesa due to an unsafe premise, a skilled Mesa slip and fall accident attorney may be able to assist you in obtaining the compensation that you deserve.

At Breyer Law Offices, P.C., our Husband and Wife Law Team has dedicated several years to helping those afflicted by another person or entity’s negligence. Mark and Alexis Breyer have the legal resources and knowledge to handle a wide range of premises liability and slip and fall accident cases. Contact Breyer Law today for a free, no-obligation consultation of your potential injury claim by calling 480-753-4534 or visit www.breyerlaw.com for more helpful information.

March 11, 2010

Tempe Premises Liability and Slip and Fall Lawyers

The Maricopa County city of Tempe, Arizona, contains an estimated population of 174,091 and is located in the East Valley of the Phoenix Metropolitan Area. Bordered by other major Arizona cities, Tempe is west of Mesa, east of Phoenix and Guadalupe, south of Scottsdale and north of Chandler. Tempe is considered to be the most densely populated city in Arizona, and welcomes residents and daily visitors to enjoy creative events presented at Gammage Auditorium and Tempe Center for the Arts. With such a busy population, accidents such as a slip and fall incidents in Tempe can occur from time to time, which can bring to light certain premises liability issues.

The aftermath of a slip and fall accident can be a disheartening experience that many times leaves a person feeling overwhelmed regarding his or her legal rights. A slip and fall accident can happen in a public environment at no fault of the injured individual. For example, a store may be under maintenance, but if there is no sign to warn a shopper, the person can slip or fall and suffer broken bones, concussions, harm to the spinal cord, or internal bruising.

When a public business or private land fails to give notice of possible danger on their property, the owner of the premises can be held liable for their negligence. If you have been seriously injured, lost money due to medical treatment, or even had to forfeit wages as the result of your slip and fall accident, an experienced Tempe premises liability lawyer can help you seek full compensation for all of your inconveniences.

Husband and Wife Law Team, Mark and Alexis Breyer, at Breyer Law Offices, P.C., are familiar with premise liability cases and slip and fall accidents and will work diligently with clients to recover damages due to a property owner’s negligence. Do not let someone else’s negligence hinder your life enjoyment. Call the experienced premise liability attorneys at Breyer Law Offices today at 480-753-4534 for a free consultation of your case.

February 10, 2010

What is Comparative Fault in a Chandler Slip-and-Fall Accident Case?

Arizona is what is known as a comparative fault state. This means that everybody who caused the accident shares responsibility for it. It is for this reason that you will often see cases in Arizona courtrooms in which the property owner either caused a dangerous condition or allowed it to exist and, because of this condition an injury resulted – yet the defense will then argue that the injured person should have been more careful and that this lack of care caused the injury.

It is at this point that we get into the issue of comparative fault. The property owner who knew about the dangerous condition, or who may have even created it, may be legally responsible for the majority of the damages while the person’s lack of care contributed in only a small way to the person’s injuries.

A percentage of the fault is doled out to the responsible parties. The person who fell may be responsible for 20 percent while the property owner may be found to be 80 percent responsible. In a case such as this, the injured person would receive 20 percent less.

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December 28, 2009

Peoria Slip and Fall Accident Injuries

One aspect that is often surprising in slip-and-fall and trip-and-fall cases is how severe the injuries are. Because people all over the country slip and are not hurt every day, no one expects to see a serious injury occur in a Peoria slip-and-fall or trip-and-fall case. However, we see many unfortunate injuries caused directly by somebody falling in an awkward way or a precarious place. Tragically, there have even been cases in which citizens were killed in slip-and-fall or trip-and-fall situations.

Arizona has passed what are known as the APSA laws. The Adult Protective Services Act was created and designed to help make sure that those who live in nursing home and assisted-living facilities in Peoria, Phoenix, and throughout the state of Arizona are protected. These laws are intended to hold caregivers accountable for their actions.

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December 24, 2009

Comparative Fault in Peoria Slip and Fall Accident Cases

Arizona is a comparative fault state. This means that Arizona citizens are held responsible in court only for their share of an injury.

We often see cases in which even though a property owner created a dangerous condition (or allowed one to exist) and that condition led to an injury, that landowner will still argue that the wounded person should have paid more attention and was reasonably able to avoid harm. In such situations, the question of comparative fault comes into play. Since the owner or possessor of land knew about the condition-- or even created it—it could be surmised that they should assume the majority share of liability. But if the person who fell also bears a lesser amount of responsibility for the incident, how does that fact effect compensation for the person who was injured?

In theory, it’s deceptively simple: all parties are responsible for their exact percentage of fault. If the person who fell is found to be 20 percent at fault and the person who owned the property is found to be 80 percent at fault, the person who was injured loses 20 percent of the compensation that they would have otherwise received.

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September 15, 2009

What Arizona Slip and Fall Victims Need to Know

As slip and fall attorneys in Phoenix, Arizona, we get calls on a daily basis about slip and fall law in Arizona. So, we’re presenting some information below that can hopefully answer some questions you might have about a slip and fall case. Keep in mind, though, that all slip and fall accidents are different.

To show negligence in a slip and fall case, you must prove that:

  • The owner or possessor of the property where you fell either knew or should have known about an unreasonably dangerous condition.

  • That dangerous condition is what caused your fall.

  • The fall caused you to sustain your injury.

So, for instance, say you fell at someone else’s house because you tripped over your own feet. Just because you fell at someone else’s home does not mean you have a valid legal claim.

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June 18, 2009

Arizona Slip and Fall Accidents: Owner of Property Is Not Always At Fault

One of the biggest misunderstandings of the law exists when it comes to people being hurt on somebody else's property. Very often, people suffer serious injuries when they are out shopping because there is water on the ground, or the ground has gotten wet and slippery and nobody sees that it is slippery and they fall and get seriously hurt. Most people would agree that a slippery floor that is not marked in any way is an unreasonably dangerous condition. However, being injured due to an unreasonable dangerous condition on a store owner's property does not mean that store is at fault. Arizona premises liability law requires that the person who was hurt be able to prove that the store "knew or should have known" of the unreasonably dangerous condition. If another customer spilled a bottle of water and ten seconds later somebody steps in that water, slips and falls, the store is almost never going to be found responsible. It is unlikely it's going to be determined that that store knew or should have known that their floor was wet and reasonably could have prevented the fall if there was only a ten second delay. Therefore, finding the best possible Arizona slip trip and fall lawyer can be vital for someone who's been seriously injured. It is about getting a lawyer who understands all of the steps that must be taken to document the claim and see whether or not it can be proven that either an employee of the defendant created the condition or that the defendant knew or should have known that this dangerous condition existed. Video surveillance, sweep logs, interviewing of witnesses, and other methods can be used to help prove if the store or property owner was at fault.

April 24, 2009

Arizona slip and fall law: What all slip and fall injury victims in Arizona need to know

As Phoenix slip and fall attorneys in Arizona, we get calls every day on the slip and fall law in Arizona. If you have been in a slip and fall accident in Arizona, you need to discuss your case with an experienced personal injury lawyer in Arizona. Every slip and fall case is different. The general law however is that you have to prove that:

  1. The owner or possessor of the place you fell knew or should have known of an unreasonably dangerous condition
  2. That dangerous condition caused you to fall
  3. The fall caused your injury

If you have been injured because of someone else's fault, you should be entitled to receive compensation for your injuries. Let us show you an example of a slip and fall case. Let's assume you fall at someone else's house because you tripped over your own feet. The fact that you fell at someone else's house does not make you have a valid legal claim against the homeowner. You must prove that it was the homeowner's fault by meeting each of the elements, above.

Let's take another example. You are at a store and there is a wet floor that has just been mopped by an employee of the store. You slip and fall on the wet floor because there are no signs. You slip and fall and sustain a torn rotator cuff tear or suffer a broken leg. In this case, the store owner would likely be found to be at fault because the owner of the establishment or his/her employees should have made sure to have warning signs out where the wet floor was so that people were aware that it was slippery. By mopping the floor they created a dangerous condition that they knew or should have known was dangerous to patrons. Now, defendants in cases which allege grocery store slip and falls, convenience store slip and falls, gas station slip and falls, and other types of cases will still try to deny liability or blame the person that was hurt in most cases. This is one of the reasons very few people who are injured in a slip and fall received far settlements unless they have hired an experienced slip and fall lawyer.

September 30, 2008

WE TRUST YOU TO DECIDE LIFE AND DEATH, WE JUST DO NOT TRUST YOUR OPINION ON MONEY

Campaign donations are a powerful thing. According to the House of Representatives, a jury cannot be trusted to decide how much money is reasonable compensation to somebody injured by the negligence of a doctor. According to the same people, a jury is fully capable to decide whether a man is guilty, and whether he should be put to death for his crime. A jury is capable of life and death decisions, but not capable to decide decisions relating to money. How can this be? I guess it just depends on who is giving you donations.

A criminal jury and civil jury come from the same people, who live in the same county. They are chosen randomly, so the same people that sit on a criminal trial could have just as easily sat that same day on a medical negligence trial.

For instance, here is an example of two trials that may occur in Maricopa county, during the same week, with the same jurors making the decision:

Trial 1: A doctor is accused of leaving a medical instrument in a baby, which causes severe permanent damage. The baby will suffer for a lifetime from the carelessness. They jury has to decide how much money the insurance company will pay in fair compensation.

Trial 2: A man is accused of shooting a stranger in cold-blood to steal $20. The stranger died. The jury has to decide whether that man is guilty, and whether he should be put to death for his crime.

The same people who became jurors in the first trial could just as easily have been on the second trial. In one case, money rests on a jury’s decision. In the other case, a man’s life rests on a jury’s decision.

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