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Billings Slip-and-Fall Lawyers

The Advocates are personal injury attorneys providing legal services for slip-and-fall injury victims.

Meeting in a law office

A Slip-and-Fall Attorney Can Help Assist You with Your Case 

The state of Montana is filled with potential slip-and-fall scenarios. One must only experience its harsh winters and rural infrastructure to know this. Perhaps you already have. Maybe you are like one of the thousands of Montanans who have piles of medical expenses because of an icy walkway.   

Slip-and-falls can have devastating physical and financial consequences for victims, which is why a personal injury claim is a must.  

The Advocates are Billings personal injury lawyers whose sole mission is to seek a fair settlement for our clients’ pain and suffering. Our experience extends into nearly every type of personal injury case, such as car accidents, dog bites, and slip-and-falls in nursing homes.  

Call us today for a free initial consultation with one of our attorneys. We are ready to listen to your story, offer legal advice, and, if you so wish, provide legal representation backed up by years of experience. 

The Next Steps In Your Case

Injury

Immediately after your accident, assess your injuries

Hire Attorney

Contact The Advocates as soon as possible to begin the road to recovery

Treatment

Seek medical attention as soon as you can

Medical Records

Keep track of all treatment you receive during recovery

Completed Treatment

Once you’ve completed treatment, your case can move forward

Demand

Your Advocate will send a demand letter to the other party

Frequently Asked Questions

You will pay nothing out-of-pocket when you hire an Advocate. 

Your initial consultation with us is always 100% free. There are never any upfront costs or hidden fees. 

Our attorneys work on a contingency basis, which means that our attorney fees are calculated as a percentage of your settlement. We do not get paid unless we win your case, and you receive a settlement. 

For more information on how settlements and payment work, please see our contingency fee information page.

If the accident resulted in injuries or significant property damage, it is a good idea to contact a lawyer. An experienced personal injury attorney can help you navigate the claims process, which can be lengthy and complex. 

Your attorney will gather evidence, keep track of your medical records, negotiate with insurance companies, and represent you in court if necessary.  

The best way to know if you have a case is to speak with an attorney. The Advocates offer free consultations—you can speak with a qualified legal team to understand what your case is worth without paying a dime.

Every personal injury case is different. There is no one-size-fits-all solution to accident claims. The length of the claims process will depend on the severity of your injuries, the willingness of the other party to settle, the court’s caseload, and more. 

In general, personal injury cases can take anywhere from several months to several years. It is important to contact an attorney as soon as possible to get your case started. Each state has a statute of limitations for personal injury cases, after which you will lose your right of action. 

When you hire The Advocates, we will begin investigating your accident immediately while you finish medical treatment. Once all evidence and medical records have been compiled, your attorney will send a demand letter to the other party’s insurance company. At this point, negotiations will begin. 

In many cases, a settlement can be reached during negotiations. If the other party refuses to make a fair offer, you may choose to file a suit. In the litigation phase, your attorney will represent you in court in front of a judge, jury, and/or arbitrator. 

A Team of Slip-and-Fall Professionals Assigned to Your Case 

For nearly 30 years, The Advocates have helped thousands of personal injury victims receive fair compensation and care they deserve after their accidents, and we are prepared to do the same for you.  

We can help you:  

  • Understand the claims process  
  • Investigate your accident  
  • Work together with you towards a full resolution of your injuries  
  • Negotiate with insurance adjusters  
  • Obtain a settlement or judgment against the at-fault party 

Talking to a Professional

Talk to a professional

Understanding Montana Law on Slip-and-Falls

What is the statute of limitations for slip-and-falls in Montana?  

A slip-and-fall comes under the scope of personal injury law. In Montana, you generally have three years to begin the process of recovering damages.

Does insurance cover slip-and-falls?  

Where your accident occurs will determine what insurance covers your damage. Most businesses have general liability insurance covering damages from a slip-and-fall accident.     

If you are at somebody’s house, their homeowners insurance or renters insurance should cover damages.    

Before filing a personal injury claim, you usually have to prove the property owner was somehow negligent.

Renters Insurance form on a table and keys.
Young woman attempt to jump over railing into restricted area labelled by no trespassing sign.

Premises liability  

Premises liability law deals with the responsibility of property owners to ensure individuals are safe on their premises. If you are injured on someone else’s property, the duty owed by the property owner depends on your legal status. 

There are three classifications of visitors:    

  • Invitee: You enter the property for public use or business purposes, such as a customer entering a store. Property owners have the highest duty of care to invitees. They must regularly take reasonable steps to address any slip-and-fall dangers.    
  • Licensee: You enter someone’s property for your own purposes with the owner’s consent, such as being a social guest at someone’s house. Owners must warn licensees of known dangers that are not readily apparent.     
  • Trespasser: You enter the property without permission. Owners owe no duty except to refrain from willfully causing harm.

Determining your visitor classification at the location of your fall will be one of the first legal issues you and your attorney work through. 

You must also show that the property owner breached their duty to keep their premises safe by not fixing or marking potential tripping hazards. Proving negligence is the basis of any personal injury claim.

There must also be demonstrable evidence that the unsafe conditions of the property caused your injuries. This connection is crucial when determining liability.

Then, the damages from the accident must be compensated, including medical expenses, lost wages, and funeral expenses if a loved one passes away from a slip-and-fall.

There are a lot of factors in a slip-and-fall case. The Advocates have years of experience in this field of law and are ready to take on that challenge with you.    

Tips to avoid slip-and-falls at work  

If you take a spill at work, it may be covered by workers’ compensation. However, sometimes your place of employment may have been negligent in a way that demands a personal injury claim to be filed against them.

To ensure you do not suffer workplace injuries in the first place, follow these rules:  

  • Discuss the task with coworkers and determine what safety equipment is needed  
  • Make sure you are adequately trained on how to use equipment  
  • Scan the work area for potential hazards before starting the job  
  • Make sure you have level ground to set up the equipment  
  • If working outside, check the weather forecast; never work in inclement weather  
  • Use the correct tool for the job and use it as intended  
  • Ensure stepladders have a locking device to hold the front and back open  
  • Always keep two hands and one foot or two feet and one hand on the ladder  
  • Securely fasten straight and extension ladders to an upper support  
  • Wear slip-resistant shoes, and don’t stand higher than the third rung from the top  
  • Don’t lean or reach while on a ladder, and have someone support the bottom  
  • Never use old or damaged equipment; check thoroughly before use
Construction worker wearing safety harness and safety line working at high place

Facts on Slip-and-Fall Accidents in Montana

Female Patient Being Reassured By Doctor In Hospital Room

What to do after a Montana slip-and-fall accident   

The following steps exist to protect your health and legal rights. Immediately after a slip-and-fall accident, everything related to your fall can be used as evidence to make your case. 

The steps are:   

  • Seek medical attention: Your health comes before any talk of lawsuits. Get medical help immediately, even if the injuries are minor. Keep all medical bills.  
  • Report the incident: You or a loved one must immediately inform the property owner or manager of the accident. Ensure you get a written report and keep a record of it.     
  • Document the scene: Take pictures of everything related to the accident. If your injuries demand immediate attention, have someone else take photos—document where you fell, the conditions that led you to fall, and your injuries.    
  • Gather witness information: Obtain the names and contact information of anyone who witnessed your accident. Their statements may be helpful in your case.    
  • Be cautious with what you say: Do not get into detailed discussions about the accident with the insurance company, insurance adjusters, or anyone who could lose something from your claim. Any statements you make could be used against you.     
  • Consult an attorney: Bring your case to an experienced fall lawyer. Give them all the details of your accident. You are more likely to win your case through an attorney-client relationship than attempting to go through the process alone.   

Common causes of slip-and-fall accidents    

  • Slippery or wet surfaces    
  • Poor lighting    
  • Damaged or uneven surfaces    
  • Obstacles in your way    
  • Lack of handrails    
  • Weather conditions    
  • Improper placement of mats or rugs    
  • Inadequate warning signs    
  • Negligent maintenance  
  • Stairs and steps   
A snowy, slushy walkway presents a risk for slip and fall injuries

Common slip-and-fall injuries    

A fall can lead to mild bruising or more serious injuries. Some common injuries fall victims experience are:    

  • Bruising and soft tissue injuries    
  • Sprains and strains, particularly in the wrists, hands, or ankles    
  • Broken bones, especially hips    
  • Neck, back, and spinal cord injuries    
  • Traumatic brain injuries   
  • Wrongful death of a loved one 

Why slip-and-falls are so common in Montana  

In 2022, over 19,000 emergency room visits were due to slip-and-falls. There are reasons why they happen so often in Montana:  

  • Terrain: Montana is a state defined by its geography. Uneven, rocky, and sloped surfaces are the norm, and lots of towns are built on inclines.  This is especially a risk on trails and parks.   
  • Harsh winters: Winters in the Big Sky Country frequently dip below zero, bringing conditions like icy walkways that make slip-and-falls almost inevitable.  
  • Rural infrastructure: Small towns usually have more rundown infrastructure. If there are sidewalks, they are checkered with protruding cracks. Roads are unpaved. Walkways have no handrails — slip-and-falls just seem to occur more often where the infrastructure is not as consistently maintained.
Early morning fresh snow fall on rural road in northwest Montana

When Should I Hire a Billings Slip-and-Fall Attorney?

Time is of the essence in a slip-and-fall case. Three years to file a personal injury claim may seem like a lot of time, but there is an aspect to slip-and-falls that are not usually an issue in auto accidents.  

Slip-and-fall claims require proving the property owner was negligent. You will usually have to submit a notice to the owner that you are filing a claim against them, and this often must be done well before the statute of limitations is reached. 

This can be a stressful process, so it is best left to the experts. Our law firm is comprised of Billings personal injury attorneys whose steadfast counsel will cover every legal aspect for you.  

The Advocates want to get you a verdict that ensures you are fairly compensated for your slip-and-fall injury. You deserve restitution for your pain and suffering. You deserve an Advocate who can get that for you.

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