A slip and fall at a leased commercial property can leave you facing medical bills, missed work, and uncertainty about who is responsible. If you fall inside a rented store, office, restaurant, or shared walkway, document the accident, report the hazard, and preserve evidence while determining who may be liable.
The property owner and business tenant may have different maintenance responsibilities, so identifying who controlled the area can be an important part of protecting your claim. Acting promptly can help you preserve information you may need later.
At Harrell & Paulson, we help injured people understand their legal options and take practical steps after an accident. If you slipped and fell at a leased commercial property in Forney, Terrell, Rockwall, or nearby, we can help you evaluate your situation and decide what to do next. Contact our team to discuss your accident and possible claim. We have offices in Kaufman and Heath, Texas.
1. Get Medical Attention and Follow Your Treatment Plan
Seek medical attention as soon as possible after a slip and fall, even if you think your injuries are minor at first. Some symptoms may appear later, and a medical evaluation can help identify injuries that need treatment. Follow your provider's recommendations and keep copies of appointment records, test results, prescriptions, and bills.
You should also document how the injury affects your daily life. Save documentation of missed work, changes to your regular activities, and out-of-pocket expenses related to your recovery. These records may help establish the extent of your losses if you pursue a personal injury claim.
2. Photograph the Hazard and Gather Evidence
If you can safely do so, document the accident scene before anyone cleans, repairs, or changes the area. A spill may be mopped up, a damaged step may be repaired, or a warning sign may be moved before you have another opportunity to record the conditions. Try to collect the following information:
Photos or videos of the hazard, surrounding area, lighting, and any warning signs.
The date, time, and exact location of the fall.
Names and contact information for witnesses.
Photos of visible injuries, taken when appropriate.
Any messages, receipts, or other records that help establish when you visited the property.
If surveillance cameras may have captured the incident, ask the business or property manager to preserve the footage. Keep your original photos and documents, and avoid altering them. If you cannot gather evidence yourself because of your injuries, ask someone you trust to help when possible.
3. Report the Fall to the Business or Property Manager
Notify the business manager, landlord, or property representative about the accident as soon as practical. Ask them to document the incident and request a copy of any report they prepare. Keep a record of whom you contacted, when you reported the fall, and what they said.
When reporting the accident, stick to the facts you remember. Describe where you fell, what you observed, and any injuries you noticed without guessing about details you cannot confirm. Avoid signing documents or agreeing to a settlement before you understand what they mean and how your injuries may affect you.
4. Identify Who Controlled the Area Where You Fell
Find out whether the business tenant, property owner, or another party was responsible for maintaining the accident area. This step matters because a lease may divide maintenance duties between the landlord and tenant, and responsibility depends on the circumstances rather than simply who owns the building.
For example, a spill inside a store may involve the tenant's inspection and cleaning practices, while a damaged shared entrance may raise questions about the landlord's maintenance responsibilities. To help us assess who may be responsible:
Keep any correspondence identifying who handles maintenance or repairs.
Record the names of the landlord, tenant, property manager, or other involved parties, if available.
Preserve any lease-related information you lawfully have access to.
Note whether employees or representatives acknowledged the hazard or described previous complaints.
Texas premises liability claims generally require evidence that the responsible party had actual or constructive knowledge of a dangerous condition, that the condition posed an unreasonable risk of harm, that the party failed to exercise reasonable care to reduce or eliminate the risk, and that this failure proximately caused the injury. This makes evidence about inspections, prior complaints, and how long the hazard existed potentially valuable.
5. Preserve Your Records and Be Careful With Insurance Communications
Organize your photographs, incident report, medical records, wage loss documentation, and communications in one place. Write down what you remember about the accident while the details are fresh, and update your notes if you recall additional information. These steps can help you explain what happened consistently as your claim develops.
If an insurance adjuster contacts you, ask which party the insurer represents and keep a record of the conversation. You can provide basic factual information, but consider seeking legal advice before giving a recorded statement, signing a release, or accepting payment. An early settlement may not cover all your losses, especially if the full extent of your injuries is still unclear.
Texas generally gives injured people two years from the date a personal injury claim accrues to file a lawsuit. Exceptions may apply, so do not assume this deadline covers every situation. Seeking slip and fall injury representation promptly can help you identify the deadline relevant to your claim and preserve evidence before it disappears.
6. Contact a Texas Slip and Fall Attorney
Once you have addressed your immediate medical needs and preserved the available evidence, consider consulting one of our attorneys about your options. We can review the circumstances of the fall, assess potential responsibility, and explain what additional evidence may be needed to support your claim.
Get Help From Our Texas Personal Injury Attorneys
After a slip and fall at a leased commercial property, seek medical care, document the hazard, report the accident, and preserve records that may support your claim. Identifying who controlled the area and acting before evidence disappears can also help you understand your legal options.
At Harrell & Paulson, we provide clear communication, straightforward answers, and practical guidance to help you determine your next steps. If you slipped and fell at a leased commercial property, our attorneys, C.R. Harrell and David Paulson, can help you explore your legal options and understand the steps available to you.
From our offices in Kaufman and Heath, Texas, we serve clients throughout Forney, Terrell, Rockwall, and nearby areas. Reach out to discuss your circumstances and determine how to move forward.
