Premises liability and the safe-place law
Wisconsin's safe-place statute requires owners of buildings open to the public to keep them as safe as the nature of the place reasonably permits. A wet floor with no warning, an unsalted icy entrance, a broken stair, or poor lighting can all support a claim — but only if the facts and the timing are documented.
Paul M. Marriett moves to preserve evidence quickly, from incident reports to surveillance video that businesses often overwrite within days.
Proving notice and fault
These cases frequently turn on whether the owner knew or should have known about the hazard. Comparative negligence applies, so expect the property's insurer to argue you weren't watching where you were going. Building the record early is how that argument gets answered.
Where these falls happen
A serious fall is rarely just clumsiness — it usually traces to a hazard the property should have addressed. The recurring ones in Wisconsin include:
- Ice and snow — unsalted entrances, parking lots, and walkways that a business had time to clear and didn't.
- Wet or freshly mopped floors — with no warning sign in a store or restaurant.
- Broken stairs and missing handrails — that fail exactly when someone needs them.
- Poor lighting and uneven walkways — hidden steps, cracked pavement, and torn flooring.
Wisconsin winters make ice a genuine and recurring hazard, and whether an owner acted reasonably to address it is often the central question.
Common slip-and-fall injuries
Falls cause more serious harm than people expect, especially for older adults:
- Hip and wrist fractures — among the most common and slowest to heal.
- Head injuries and concussions — from striking the ground or a fixed object.
- Back and spine injuries — herniated discs and nerve damage.
- Shoulder and knee injuries — that can require surgery and rehabilitation.
Getting checked promptly protects both your recovery and the record of what the fall caused.
What your claim can cover
Depending on the facts, compensation in a slip-and-fall case may include:
- Emergency and ongoing medical care;
- Future treatment, surgery, and rehabilitation;
- Lost income and reduced ability to work;
- Pain, suffering, and the effect on daily life.
Paul M. Marriett builds the claim around what the injury will actually cost over time, not just the bills on hand when the insurer makes an early offer.
What a case costs
Cases like this are handled on a contingency-fee basis: no hourly bills, and the attorney fee comes out of any recovery. Clients may be responsible for litigation costs and expenses regardless of outcome — Paul M. Marriett explains exactly how that works, in writing, before you sign anything.
Frequently asked questions
Is a property owner automatically responsible if I fall?
No. You generally have to show the owner knew or should have known about the hazard and failed to address it. Wisconsin's safe-place law sets the standard, and documenting the condition early is key.
What is Wisconsin's safe-place law?
The safe-place statute requires owners of buildings open to the public to keep them as safe as the nature of the place reasonably permits. It holds property owners and businesses to a defined standard of care.
Can I have a claim if I slipped on ice?
Possibly. Wisconsin winters make ice a real hazard, and a business that had time to clear or treat a dangerous accumulation and failed to may be responsible. Because these cases can be fact-specific, it is worth having an attorney review yours.
What if the store says I wasn't watching where I was going?
That is a common defense. Wisconsin uses comparative negligence, so you can still recover as long as you were not more at fault than the owner, with recovery reduced by your share. A documented record answers that argument.
How long do I have to file a slip-and-fall claim in Wisconsin?
Most Wisconsin injury claims carry a three-year filing deadline. Because surveillance video and incident reports can disappear far sooner, it is best to talk with an attorney early.
How much does it cost to hire Paul for a slip-and-fall case?
These cases are handled on a contingency-fee basis: no hourly bills, and the attorney fee comes out of any recovery. Clients may be responsible for litigation costs regardless of outcome, and Paul explains exactly how that works, in writing, before you sign.