Most people don’t think twice about walking through a store, apartment complex, or parking lot. You expect the space to be reasonably safe. When that isn’t the case, when there’s a spill, poor lighting, or an unaddressed hazard, a fall can lead to real injuries and unexpected costs.
If you fell and were injured on someone else’s property, a Knoxville slip and fall lawyer with Hotz & Associates, P.C. may be able to help. When you work with us, you have experienced attorneys on your side who can work to maximize the compensation that you’re entitled to.
If you were injured because of unsafe conditions on someone else’s property, a Knoxville slip and fall lawyer with Hotz & Associates, P.C. can help you understand your options. These cases often come down to whether a property owner failed to fix or warn about a hazard.
Our team handles these claims from the start. We investigate what caused the fall and identify who is responsible, while also dealing with the insurance company, so you can focus on healing and moving forward.
Contact us online or call (865) 582-0042 to schedule a free consultation with skilled personal injury lawyers today.
Why choose Hotz & Associates, P.C. for your case?
Slip and fall cases are often disputed from the start. Property owners and insurance companies rarely admit fault, especially when the hazard can be cleaned up or repaired quickly. That makes early action important. Details like the condition of the floor and how long the hazard was there can affect your case.
Hotz & Associates, P.C. has represented injured people in Knoxville for decades, including those hurt in falls at stores, restaurants, apartment complexes, and other properties. Our experienced legal team understands how these cases are evaluated and where they tend to break down if they aren’t handled carefully.
Our approach focuses on:
- Preserving evidence before it disappears, including surveillance footage
- Identifying how long the hazard existed and who was responsible for addressing it
- Building a claim that accounts for both immediate injuries and longer-term effects
Slip and fall claims come down to facts. Our job is to make sure evidence is identified early and used to support your case.
We don’t represent insurance companies. We represent people who are dealing with injuries, missed work, and the stress that follows a fall.
Case results
Our firm has handled slip and fall cases involving a wide range of injuries and property conditions. No two cases are the same, and results depend on the specific facts and evidence involved.
- $200,000 settlement in Sevier County, TN, from a femur fracture caused by a trip and fall over an unsecured rug.
- $175,000 settlement in Sevier County, TN, from a slip and fall from a mat at the entrance of a restaurant that was lying on top of accumulated water on the floor.
Client testimonials
| “This firm demonstrates outstanding leadership and professionalism. From the very beginning, they set clear expectations and followed through every step of the way. The staff is knowledgeable, attentive, and genuinely cares about their clients. It’s rare to find a team that combines strong leadership with such a supportive, reliable environment. Highly recommend to anyone looking for trusted legal representation.” – Jimmy R. |
| “I want to say thank Zach Tenry and their team for helping me on my case. They are very professional people, and they have been working hard on my case. I am happy with the compensation I received. I will recommend them to friends and family.” – Jorge G. |
| “Zach Tenry represented me during a personal injury case. I came to him on the recommendation of a friend of my husband. He was the best attorney I could have asked for. Zach and his staff were always so kind and helpful during my case. Always quick and willing to answer my questions, make me feel comfortable and at ease throughout the case. Zach is very educated, knowledgeable, and has experience to represent many clients and cases! I would recommend him to anyone and go to him for a recommendation.” – Kari M. |
Common causes of slip and fall accidents
Slip and fall accidents usually come back to one issue: unsafe conditions that weren’t addressed. Common causes include:
- Wet or recently mopped floors without warning signs
- Uneven flooring, loose tiles, or damaged sidewalks
- Poor lighting in walkways or stairwells
- Spills or debris left in high-traffic areas
- Ice, water, or other hazards in entryways
In many cases, the problem isn’t just the hazard itself. It’s because the property owner failed to fix it or warn people about it.
Serious injuries caused by falls in Knoxville
Falls can lead to more than just bruises. Some injuries take weeks or months to fully show their impact. Common injuries include:
- Traumatic brain injuries
- Broken wrists, arms, or hips
- Back and spinal cord injuries
- Neck injuries
- Internal injuries
These injuries often require ongoing medical care, which is part of what a claim is meant to address.
What to do after a slip and fall accident
Get medical care
After a fall, it’s common to feel shaken but not fully aware of what’s injured. Pain can set in hours later, especially with head, back, or joint injuries.
Getting checked out early does two things. It protects your health, and it creates a clear record tying your injuries to the fall.
Report the incident
Slip and fall hazards don’t stay around for long. Spills get cleaned. Floors get dried. Conditions change.
Let the property owner, manager, or employee know what happened as soon as you can. Ask for an incident report and keep a copy. That report may be one of the only records showing the hazard existed.
Document what caused the fall
If you’re able, take photos or video right away.
Focus on what led to the fall:
- The exact spot where it happened
- Any liquid, debris, or uneven surface
- The absence of warning signs
In slip and fall cases, small details matter. What you capture in the moment can carry more weight than anything gathered later.
Connect with a Knoxville slip and fall attorney
Slip and fall claims often depend on evidence that doesn’t last. Surveillance footage may be deleted within days. Conditions are often corrected quickly. A slip and fall lawyer Knoxville residents rely on can step in early to request footage, review reports, and preserve what’s still available. That timing can affect how strong your claim is when it’s presented to the insurance company.
Proving negligence in a slip and fall case
To recover compensation, you’ll need to show that the property owner was negligent. That usually means proving:
- A dangerous condition existed
- The owner knew or should have known about it
- They failed to fix it or warn you
- That failure caused your injury
This typically comes down to evidence like maintenance records, surveillance footage, and witness statements.
What is “notice” in a slip and fall case?
Notice refers to whether the property owner knew about the hazard. There are two main types:
- Actual notice: The owner knew about the hazard directly
- Constructive notice: The hazard existed long enough that they should have known about it
For example, a spill that sits on a grocery store floor for an extended period without being cleaned up may show constructive notice.
Dealing with insurance companies after a fall
If they haven’t already, an insurance company adjuster will be in touch with you soon. They may seem helpful, but their goal is to limit what the company pays.
Be careful about:
- Giving recorded statements
- Accepting early settlement offers
- Saying anything that could be taken as admitting fault
It’s usually best to speak with a lawyer before having detailed conversations with an insurance company.
How slip and fall claims work
Slip and fall claims don’t move forward all at once. They follow a process that builds on evidence, documentation, and how the insurance company responds.
- Investigation: Your attorney gathers evidence, including photos of the scene, incident reports, medical records, and any available witness statements. In some cases, this also includes requesting surveillance footage before it’s deleted.
- Claim and negotiation: A demand is presented to the insurance company based on your injuries, medical treatment, and how the fall has affected your ability to work and go about your daily life.
- Resolution or lawsuit: Some claims are resolved through settlement. Others require filing a lawsuit to continue pursuing compensation, especially if the insurance company disputes liability or the value of the claim.
How long do you have to file a slip and fall claim in Tennessee?
Tennessee limits the time that an accident victim can file a lawsuit. This deadline is known as the statute of limitations. In most cases, you have one-year from the date of the accident. Waiting too long can prevent you from recovering compensation at all.
Talk with a Knoxville slip and fall lawyer today
The Knoxville personal injury lawyers with Hotz & Associates, P.C., are ready to put their experience to work for you. If you were hurt in a fall caused by unsafe conditions, you don’t have to handle the situation alone.
A Knoxville slip and fall lawyer can review your case, explain your options, and help you move forward. Call (865) 582-0042 or reach out online for a free consultation.
Frequently asked questions about slip and fall accidents in Knoxville
Do I have a case if I slipped but didn’t fall all the way to the ground?
Possibly. If you were injured and unsafe conditions were involved, you may still have a claim.
Can I file a claim if I didn’t report it right away?
Yes, but delays can make it harder to prove what happened.
What if I slipped on something I didn’t see?
That’s common. The key issue is whether the property owner should have addressed the hazard.
Can I still recover compensation if I was wearing improper footwear?
Possibly. Tennessee follows comparative fault rules, which means responsibility can be shared.
Will store surveillance footage be available?
It may be, but footage is often deleted quickly. Acting early helps preserve it.
What if I was distracted when I fell?
That may be considered, but it doesn’t automatically prevent recovery.
What if the business denies that the hazard existed?
This is common. Evidence like photos, reports, and witness statements becomes critical.
