BTM Lawyers has been around since 1979 and has grown to become the largest law firm in Port Moody, and one of the only full-service firms in the Tri-Cities representing personal injury cases, including slips and falls. We service clients throughout BC, and in particular Port Moody, Coquitlam and Port Coquitlam. Our accident lawyers are dedicated to protecting the rights of accident victims and helping them get the maximum compensation for their injuries.
Injured in a Slip and Fall Accident? BTM Lawyers in Port Moody Can Help
Terms of Free Consultation
The purpose of the free consultation is to identify your legal issues, and the options available to you, and to determine whether you require the assistance of a lawyer. BTM Lawyers LLP does not provide legal advice or legal opinions during free consultations and reserves the right to refuse a free consultation in its absolute discretion.
Here are some FAQs about claims in BC we often get from our clients.
What is a slip and fall accident?
Slips and falls can result from torn carpeting, changes in flooring, poor lighting, narrow stairs, or a wet floor causing someone to slip and be injured. Also trips can occur on a broken or cracked public sidewalks, or falls down a flight of stairs. Outdoor slips and falls might arise due to conditions with rain, ice, snow or a hidden hazard, such as a pothole in the ground — at commercial, residential and municipal grounds. These slips and falls accidents can cause injuries to ligaments, fractures, and lasting back and neck injuries and are third-party liability claims. In addition, concussions, traumatic brain injuries, paralysis, psychological trauma and disability can occur from a slip, trip or fall.
What steps should I take after my slip and fall accident?
Seek medical treatment for your accident injuries immediately. Gather preliminary evidence following your accident. To prove someone was negligent in maintaining the safety of the property which caused your slip and fall injuries, you’ll need to do the following for a third-party liability claim:
- Obtain the names and addresses of witnesses to your slip, trip and fall.
- Photograph the scene of the accident immediately if possible. This will prevent tampering of evidence such as the property owner fixing the hazard.
- Take measurements of the hazard if possible.
- Report your slip and fall accident to the supervisor of a public building on public grounds.
Who is responsible for paying slips and falls claims?
If you have a slip, trip and fall accident resulting in a personal injury, you can make a third-party liability claim against the property owner or occupier who failed to recognize and remedy a dangerous situation, such as a wet or uneven walking surface, or a broken step. The property insurance of the business or home-owner where the accident occurred pays for the claim.
Under the Occupiers’ Liability Act, a property owner or an occupier must take reasonable care to those who come onto the premises. The term premises can include land, structures, ships, vessels, and trailers. In addition, railway locomotives, railway cars, vehicles, and aircraft can be considered premises, as long as they are not in operation.
The property owner and / or occupier must also keep the premises reasonably safe from hazards causing injuries from slipping or tripping and falling and is responsible if they:
- Caused the spill, worn or torn spot, or other slippery or dangerous surface or item.
- Known of the slippery or dangerous material or object and did nothing to remedy it.
- Should have reasonably known the slippery or dangerous material was on the floor, stair or ground, and would have discovered, removed or repaired it to prevent injuries.
What if the property owner or occupier is a friend or family member?
You should not avoid filing a slip and fall third-party liability claim due to embarrassment or fear of conflict. Your friend or family member’s homeowner’s insurance policy would be responsible for covering your damages. To preserve your relationships, you should not deal with the friend or family member directly. Your slip and fall lawyer should handle all communications with the insurer, allowing you to maintain your relationship with your friend or family member.
How can BTM Lawyers help me with a slip and fall claim?
Consult an experienced slip and fall lawyer immediately after your accident. We know the tactics insurance companies will use to deny or minimize these types of claims. We can gather evidence to prove that hazardous conditions caused the slip or trip and fall. If the owner or occupier was negligent to provide a reasonably safe premise and you are injured from the slip and fall, they could be liable a for personal injury damages: pain and suffering, lost wages or income, out of pocket expenses, cost of future care, diminished capacity for work and more.
What are the legal expenses and contingency fees for representing slips and falls?
The initial consultation to discuss your slip and fall claim with our personal injury lawyer is free. If there is a mutual fit and agreement, we can represent you on a contingency fee, which means our legal fees and disbursements are paid from the settlement of your third-party liability claim. We also offer hourly billing options for personal injury claims, and we are happy to explain the differences so you can decide what works best for your situation.
Personal Injury Team
Grant Morrison
Grant practices primarily in the areas of personal injury, employment law, and commercial litigation including foreclosures and collections.
Shadrin Brooks
Shadrin practices primarily in the areas of estate litigation, commercial litigation, and personal injury claims.
Daniel Richardson
Daniel practices primarily in the areas of personal injury, construction, and general civil litigation. He is also the firm’s Managing Partner.
Catherine Coakley
Catherine has a general litigation practice with a focus on personal injury, construction law, employment law, and commercial litigation.
Wes Berger
Wes is a civil litigator with a broad practice that focuses on personal injury, construction law, strata law, and commercial claims.
Marko Pokrajac
Marko maintains a practice that focuses on commercial and construction dispute resolution. Marko also has significant experience litigating insurance claims, commercial realty disputes, and land disputes.
Haley Sonne
Haley is an associate lawyer who maintains a broad civil litigation practice with a focus on a wide variety of estate disputes, employment law, and personal injury.
Bowen Matheson
Bowen is a litigator who practices general civil litigation with dispute resolution experience in commercial, property, and personal injury claims.
Jasmine Mangat
Jasmine maintains a broad civil litigation practice with a focus on employment law, personal injury, commercial litigation, and family law.