Slip and fall accidents might sound minor, but the reality is very different. In Farmington and across San Juan County, these accidents send people to the emergency room every day. A single fall can cause lasting pain, expensive medical bills, and time away from work or family.
If someone’s negligence caused your slip-fall accident, you could be able to seek compensation from that party. Depending on your situation, you could be facing steep costs without the chance to work. A Farmington personal injury attorney can help you fight to recover the damages you’ve suffered.
Call 505-325-9898 to contact Patscheck Law today.
Common situations that lead to serious falls
A fall can happen almost anywhere: a grocery store, parking lot, apartment building, or public sidewalk. Common hazards include:
- Wet or freshly mopped floors without warning signs
- Uneven sidewalks, cracked pavement, or potholes
- Loose rugs, curled mats, or damaged carpeting
- Poor lighting in stairwells or parking lots
- Broken or missing handrails
- Winter conditions that leave snow, ice, or moisture near entrances
Even a quick misstep in one of these conditions can cause a person to lose balance and hit the ground hard.
What Injuries do Slip & Falls Cause?
Slip and fall injuries range from mild sprains to life-altering trauma. Common examples include:
- Head and brain injuries, including concussions and traumatic brain injuries (TBIs)
- Fractures and broken bones, especially in the wrists, hips, and ankles
- Back and neck injuries, such as herniated or slipped discs
- Knee injuries, including torn ACL or MCL ligaments
- Shoulder injuries, like dislocations or rotator cuff tears
- Nerve damage or chronic pain conditions
- Soft-tissue strains and sprains, which can still limit movement and work
Symptoms are not always immediate. Even if you feel okay, it’s wise to see a doctor right away to document your injuries and rule out internal or delayed complications.
Who Is Legally Responsible After a Fall in New Mexico?
Accidents happen every day, but some situations are more likely to cause injuries than others. When a property owner or negligent party doesn’t take proper steps to protect you, they could be liable for any injuries a hazard causes.
The basic duty property owners owe visitors
Property owners and managers must keep their premises reasonably safe. That includes:
- Regularly inspecting walkways and stairwells
- Cleaning up spills promptly
- Repairing uneven flooring or potholes
- Replacing burned-out lightbulbs
- Posting warnings when hazards can’t be fixed right away
When they fail to do these things and someone gets hurt, they can be held financially responsible.
How negligence is proven: notice and preventability
To win a slip and fall claim, you must show that the property owner knew or should have known about the danger. Lawyers often look for:
- Maintenance and inspection logs
- Surveillance footage from before and after the fall
- Witness statements or prior complaints
- Building code or safety violations
If a business ignored a recurring issue—like a leaking cooler or a dark stairwell—they may be found negligent.
What if I was partly at fault? New Mexico’s comparative negligence rule
New Mexico uses a pure comparative negligence system. That means even if you were partly responsible, you can still recover compensation—your award is just reduced by your percentage of fault.
For example:
- You slipped on an unmarked wet floor but were looking at your phone.
- A court might find you 20% at fault, so you’d still recover 80% of your total damages.
This rule protects people who made a simple mistake but were still seriously injured by unsafe conditions.
What To Do Right After a Slip & Fall in Farmington
If you’ve been hurt by a fall, it’s crucial that you protect yourself and your claim. It can be hard to remember in an emergency, but try your best to follow these steps.
A simple checklist to protect yourself
- Get medical care immediately and explain that your injury happened from a fall.
- Report the incident to the property owner or manager, and ask for a written copy.
- Take photos or videos of the hazard, your shoes, lighting, and any visible injuries.
- Collect witness names and contact information.
- Save the footwear and clothing you were wearing.
- Keep all receipts and medical paperwork.
- Avoid giving recorded statements to insurance adjusters before speaking with an attorney.
Acting quickly ensures important evidence isn’t lost or destroyed.
What Evidence Strengthens My Slip & Fall Claim?
Successful slip and fall claims often rely on solid documentation, such as:
- Video footage from security cameras
- Cleaning and maintenance logs
- Snow or ice removal records
- Prior incident reports or complaints
- Expert reports on flooring conditions or lighting levels
- Detailed medical records linking your injuries to the fall
Your lawyer can help collect this information before it disappears.
What Compensation Could Be Available for a Slip & Fall?
You may be able to recover damages for both economic and non-economic losses, including:
- Medical expenses, surgeries, rehabilitation, and medication
- Lost wages and reduced ability to work in the future
- Pain and suffering
- Loss of enjoyment of daily life
- Out-of-pocket expenses and costs of future care
Each case is unique, but the goal is the same: to help you rebuild physically, financially, and emotionally.
Deadlines and Special Rules in New Mexico
In most New Mexico personal injury cases, you have three years from the date of the accident to file a lawsuit.
If your fall happened on government property—for example, a city sidewalk or public building—you must file a formal notice of claim within a much shorter window, often just months.
Reaching out to a lawyer early helps ensure you meet every deadline and preserve crucial evidence.
How a Farmington Slip & Fall Lawyer Helps
Slip and fall cases can be complex. What do you do if you can’t get a property owner to cooperate to provide video? What happens if you can’t find witnesses? A personal injury attorney who understands and focuses on slip and fall cases can be a huge benefit to your claim.
Support you can expect
A skilled attorney can:
- Send letters to preserve video and inspection logs before they’re deleted
- Visit the scene to photograph and measure hazards
- Consult experts on lighting, traction, and safety codes
- Work directly with your doctors to document long-term effects
- Handle insurance communications so you can focus on recovery
- Negotiate for fair compensation to avoid lowball settlements
- take your case to court if necessary
Beyond the legal steps, your lawyer should also provide clear guidance, empathy, and reassurance through what can be a stressful process.
Slip & Fall FAQs
Do I have a case if there was a warning sign?
Maybe. A warning sign doesn’t automatically excuse negligence. If the hazard was especially dangerous or avoidable, the property owner may still be liable.
What if I felt fine but started hurting later?
That’s common. Some injuries—like concussions or back strains—take time to show. See a doctor as soon as symptoms appear.
Should I talk to the store’s insurance company?
It’s best not to speak with them before you get legal advice. Adjusters often look for ways to reduce or deny claims.
How much is my case worth?
Your case value depends on the severity of your injuries, medical costs, time missed from work, and how your life has changed.
How long will a case take?
It varies. Some claims settle in months, while others take longer if the insurer disputes fault or damages. Your lawyer can give you a clearer timeline after reviewing your case.
Talk With a Farmington Slip & Fall Attorney Today
A fall can turn your life upside down—but you don’t have to handle the aftermath alone.
If you were injured because someone failed to keep their property safe, you may be entitled to compensation. The right attorney can investigate what happened, fight for your recovery, and handle the insurance company while you focus on healing.
Contact our Farmington slip and fall lawyers today for a free consultation. There’s no fee unless we win your case. Call (505) 325-9898 to get started.