New Orleans Slip and Fall Lawyer

When a Fall Isn’t an Accident—It’s a Failure to Keep Property Safe

Slip and fall accidents are often dismissed as minor or unavoidable.

In reality, many of these incidents happen because a property owner failed to maintain safe conditions—and those failures can cause serious, life-altering injuries.

If you have been injured in a fall, your case may be about much more than a single step, surface, or moment.

It may be about long-term neglect, unsafe conditions, and violations of safety codes designed to protect you.

What Causes Slip and Fall Accidents?

Slip and fall cases are often the result of dangerous property conditions such as:

Broken or unstable stairs
Loose or detached walking surfaces
Wet or slippery floors
Uneven walkways or flooring
Poor maintenance of structures
Corrosion or deterioration of building materials

In one case, an engineering expert determined that a fall occurred because a stairway tread failed completely during normal use, causing the person to fall instantly.

That type of failure is not random—it is preventable.

What Premises Liability Means in Louisiana

Under Louisiana law, property owners have a duty to:

Maintain their property in a safe condition
Repair dangerous conditions
Warn of hazards they know—or should know—about

When they fail to do so, they can be held responsible for injuries that result.

This area of law is called premises liability.

But proving a premises liability case requires more than showing that you fell. It requires showing:

A dangerous condition existed
The owner knew or should have known about it
The condition caused your injury
The owner failed to take reasonable steps to fix it

How Dangerous Conditions Are Proven

This is where many cases are won or lost.

In the engineering report reviewed, the expert found:

The stairway was not properly maintained
Structural components had deteriorated and corroded over time
The stairway was not capable of supporting normal loads
The condition violated local ordinances, building codes, and safety standards

Even more importantly, the expert concluded:

The dangerous condition was long-term, visible, and should have been recognized by reasonably attentive management.

That is the difference between:

An “accident”
and
A preventable failure

Why Maintenance Matters

Property owners cannot ignore deterioration.

In this case, there was evidence of:

Corroded structural steel
Sections of flooring that had completely deteriorated
Visible sagging and structural weakness
Repairs made after the incident that significantly improved safety

These are not hidden defects.

These are conditions that:

Develop over time
Can be seen
Should be repaired before someone gets hurt

Building Codes and Safety Standards

Slip and fall cases are often governed by safety rules found in:

Local ordinances (such as Jefferson Parish Code of Ordinances)
International Building Code (IBC)
International Property Maintenance Code (IPMC)
OSHA safety standards

These rules require that:

Stairways be structurally sound
Walking surfaces be properly maintained
Structures support normal and expected loads
Dangerous conditions be repaired

When these rules are violated, it can be powerful evidence of negligence.

How We Build a Slip and Fall Case

At Salter Law, we do not treat slip and fall cases as minor claims.

We investigate them thoroughly to determine why the fall happened.

1. Immediate Investigation

We gather:

Photographs and video evidence
Incident reports
Maintenance records
Witness statements

2. Expert Analysis

We work with engineers and safety experts to determine:

Whether the structure was safe
Whether codes or standards were violated
Whether the condition existed long enough to be discovered

3. Proving Notice

One of the most important issues in a premises case is whether the property owner knew or should have known about the condition.

We focus heavily on:

Length of time the condition existed
Visibility of the defect
Prior repairs or lack thereof

Common Misconceptions About Slip and Fall Cases

“I just fell—it must be my fault.”

Not necessarily. If a dangerous condition caused your fall, the property owner may be responsible.

“There was no warning sign.”

That may support your case—but even more important is whether the condition should have been fixed.

“It was just a step or stair.”

Structural failures—like a stair giving way—are often the result of long-term neglect.

What Compensation May Be Available

If you were injured due to unsafe property conditions, you may be entitled to compensation for:

Medical expenses
Lost wages
Pain and suffering
Long-term disability or impairment
Future medical care

What It’s Like to Work With Us

When you hire Salter Law:

You work directly with an attorney
Your case is not treated like a number
We focus on the details that others miss

We keep our caseload small so we can fully investigate each case and build it the right way.

Speak With a Louisiana Slip and Fall Lawyer

If you have been injured in a fall, there may be more to your case than you realize.

The difference often comes down to whether the dangerous condition is fully investigated—and proven.

We are here to help you understand your rights and determine the best path forward.

FAQs

What should I do after a slip and fall accident in Louisiana?

Seek medical attention immediately, report the incident to the property owner or manager, and document the scene with photos if possible. It is important to speak with an attorney quickly, as evidence such as surveillance footage and maintenance records may not be preserved unless requested.

What do I have to prove in a Louisiana slip and fall case?

You must prove that a dangerous condition existed, the property owner knew or should have known about it, the condition caused your fall, and the owner failed to take reasonable steps to fix or warn about it.

What is considered a dangerous condition?

A dangerous condition can include broken stairs, loose flooring, structural defects, wet or slippery surfaces, poor maintenance, a faulty handicap ramp, obstructions in walkways or any condition that creates an unreasonable risk of harm. In some cases, structural failures—such as a stair collapsing—are evidence of long-term neglect rather than a sudden issue.

How do you prove the property owner knew about the problem?

This is called “notice.” It can be proven by showing the condition existed long enough that it should have been discovered, that it was visible, or that prior repairs or complaints were made. Expert analysis often helps show the condition developed over time and was not new.

Can building code violations help my case?

Yes. Violations of building codes, safety standards, or maintenance requirements can be strong evidence of negligence. For example, property owners are required to maintain stairways and structures in a safe condition and capable of supporting normal use.

Are slip and fall cases hard to win in Louisiana?

They can be challenging because the burden is on the injured person to prove the property owner’s fault. However, strong evidence—especially expert analysis showing unsafe conditions and code violations—can significantly strengthen a case.

How long do I have to file a slip and fall claim in Louisiana?

Deadlines are strict under Louisiana law. You should speak with an attorney as soon as possible to protect your claim and preserve evidence.

Do I need an expert for a slip and fall case?

In many cases, yes. Engineers and safety experts can determine whether a structure was safe, whether it violated codes, and whether the condition existed long enough that it should have been repaired. At Salter Law, we have worked with many different premises experts and know how critical it is for our clients to be connected with the right experts to help prove their case at trial.