Slip & Fall guides

Slip-and-fall and dog bite claims both come under premises liability: the law that decides when a property owner or keeper is responsible for an injury. The guide on slip and fall explains what you have to prove, including that a hazard existed, that the owner knew or should have known about it, and that it caused your injury. It also covers the evidence that disappears fastest, such as photographs of the spot, the shoes you wore and the names of witnesses.

The dog bite guide compares the two main approaches. Some states hold an owner strictly liable for a bite, while others still apply a rule that depends on whether the owner knew the dog was dangerous. States also differ on how much blame a visitor can carry before the claim is reduced or barred. Check your state's page for its filing deadline and fault rule, then use the guide that matches your situation. If you were hurt at someone's home, a store or a rental property, the property owner's insurance usually pays, so notice and incident reports matter.