Bozeman Slip and Fall Lawyer

Get Legal Help After a Slip, Trip, or Fall Accident in Bozeman, MT

Slip and fall accidents can happen anywhere—stores, restaurants, sidewalks, parking lots, or even private homes. What may seem like a minor fall can result in serious injuries such as fractures, concussions, spinal damage, or long-term mobility issues. When dangerous property conditions cause your injuries, Montana premises liability law allows you to pursue compensation from the property owner or business responsible.

At Hoyt & Blewett PLLC, our Bozeman slip and fall lawyers help injured victims recover the financial support they need to move forward. Whether you fell in a grocery store, hotel, apartment complex, or workplace, we stand ready to fight for your rights and hold negligent parties accountable.

Reach out to us today at (406) 233-1302 to schedule your no-obligation consultation and start moving forward.

Common Causes of Slip & Fall Accidents

Slip and fall incidents can happen for dozens of reasons, but many trace back to preventable hazards. Some of the most common causes include:

• Wet or Slippery Floors: Spilled drinks, recently mopped surfaces, snow tracked indoors, and leaking equipment create slick walking conditions. Businesses must warn customers of these hazards and clean them promptly.
• Snow, Ice, and Slush: Bozeman’s winter weather creates frequent slip hazards on sidewalks, parking lots, and building entryways. Property owners must take reasonable steps to clear snow and ice.
• Uneven or Broken Walking Surfaces: Cracked pavement, potholes, loose tiles, and uneven floors can easily cause a person to trip and fall.
• Poor Lighting: Insufficient lighting in hallways, stairwells, or parking areas can make hazards harder to spot.
• Unsafe Stairs and Handrails: Loose handrails, broken steps, or missing grip strips can lead to serious falls, especially in multi-story buildings.
• Obstacles and Clutter: Items left in walkways—extension cords, boxes, displays, or equipment—pose tripping hazards that businesses must keep under control.
• Unsafe Carpets and Rugs: Folded, bunched, or unsecured mats can create unexpected trip hazards.

Regardless of the cause, a slip and fall accident may be a sign that the property owner failed to maintain a safe environment. Our team investigates the cause of your fall to determine how the hazard occurred and who is responsible.

Where Do Slips & Falls Happen?

Slip and fall accidents occur in nearly every type of property. Common locations include:

• Retail Stores & Supermarkets: Grocery stores, big-box retailers, and shopping centers frequently see spills, cluttered aisles, loose mats, and other hazards.
• Restaurants & Bars: Spilled drinks and food, greasy floors, and crowded walkways make restaurants a common site of slip and fall injuries.
• Parking Lots & Sidewalks: Ice, potholes, broken curbs, and poor lighting increase fall risks in outdoor areas.
• Hotels & Lodging Facilities: Guests may encounter cracked tiles, unsafe stairways, loose carpeting, or poorly maintained entryways.
• Apartment Buildings & Rental Properties: Landlords must keep common areas safe—stairwells, parking lots, laundry rooms, hallways, and entrances.
• Workplaces & Job Sites: Employees may face slick floors, debris, malfunctioning equipment, or poor safety practices.
• Public Buildings: Libraries, schools, and government buildings must maintain clean, safe, and accessible premises.

If your fall occurred on someone else’s property, you may have the right to pursue a claim. Our attorneys evaluate the circumstances and determine the best path forward.

Proving Liability in a Slip & Fall Accident

To recover compensation in a slip and fall case, you must show that the property owner or business acted negligently. This generally requires proving:

1. The Property Owner Knew or Should Have Known About the Hazard

Examples include:

• An employee ignored a spill for an unreasonable amount of time
• A landlord failed to repair a broken stair
• A store owner did not remove ice after a storm
• A business created the hazard through poor maintenance

2. They Failed to Fix, Remove, or Warn About the Danger

Property owners must:

• Inspect their property regularly
• Repair hazards promptly
• Place warning signs in areas with temporary hazards

3. The Hazard Directly Caused Your Injury

You must show that the unsafe condition caused your fall and resulting injuries.

4. You Suffered Damages

This includes:

• Medical bills
• Lost income
• Pain and suffering
• Rehabilitation costs
• Long-term disability or impairment

Our team gathers evidence such as surveillance footage, witness statements, maintenance logs, incident reports, weather data, and expert testimony to build a strong claim on your behalf.

Slip & Fall Claim FAQs

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

Montana generally allows three years to file a personal injury lawsuit. However, evidence can disappear quickly, so it’s best to contact a lawyer as soon as possible.

What if I was partly at fault for the fall?

Montana follows a modified comparative negligence rule. You can still recover compensation as long as you are not more than 50% at fault, but your compensation may be reduced according to your share of responsibility.

Do I need a lawyer for a slip and fall claim?

Yes. Property owners and insurance companies often deny responsibility. A Bozeman slip and fall lawyer can investigate, gather evidence, and negotiate for fair compensation.

How much is my slip and fall case worth?

Your case value depends on your injuries, medical costs, long-term effects, lost income, and other damages. Our firm provides a personalized case evaluation.

What if the fall happened at work?

You may have both a workers’ compensation claim and a third-party claim, depending on the circumstances.

Contact a Bozeman Slip and Fall Lawyer Today

If you were injured in a slip and fall accident in Bozeman, MT, you deserve experienced legal help. At Hoyt & Blewett PLLC, we fight to hold negligent property owners accountable and secure full compensation for injured victims.

Contact us today for a free consultation. We are ready to help you get back on your feet.