If You Fell Because of Someone Else's Negligence, You Have the Right to Ask Why

Slip and fall injuries in Wisconsin can happen in a grocery store parking lot, on an unsalted sidewalk outside a retail strip, or in a building where management knew the floor was wet and did nothing. If a property owner failed to maintain safe conditions and you got hurt, that's not bad luck — that's a legal claim. We help people across northeast Wisconsin understand what they're owed and fight to recover it.

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Wisconsin Property Owners Have a Legal Duty — and When They Ignore It, You Pay the Price

Wisconsin law requires property owners and businesses to maintain reasonably safe conditions for anyone who enters their premises. That duty doesn't disappear when snow falls or temperatures drop. A grocery store in Green Bay has an obligation to clear its parking lot. A retail center has an obligation to sand its walkways. A landlord has an obligation to address known hazards before someone gets hurt.

 

The legal standard in Wisconsin slip and fall cases is whether the property owner knew or should have known about the hazard — and failed to act. You don't have to prove they meant to hurt you. You have to show they were aware of a dangerous condition and let it sit. That's exactly what our attorneys build cases around.

Embarrassment Doesn't Cancel Liability

One of the most common things we hear from new clients is some version of: "I don't know if it really counts." Maybe you got up fast and walked away. Maybe you felt embarrassed in front of other shoppers. Maybe it took a few days for the pain to fully set in. None of that changes whether you have a claim.

 

Wisconsin's comparative negligence law also means that even if you bore some degree of fault — maybe you were distracted, or the area was marked but inadequately — you can still recover compensation as long as your share of fault is under 51%. The property owner's negligence is the issue. Our job is to document it, establish it, and present it in a way that holds up under scrutiny from an insurance adjuster or a jury.

Injuries That Deserve to Be Taken Seriously

Slip and fall injuries are frequently minimized — by insurance adjusters, by bystanders, and sometimes by the injured person themselves. But falls cause some of the most serious and costly injuries in personal injury law.

 

Common injuries we see in slip and fall cases include:

 

  • Hip fractures, which often require surgery and extended rehabilitation — particularly serious for older adults
  • Traumatic brain injury from striking the head on pavement, flooring, or a hard surface
  • Spinal injuries including herniated discs and nerve damage that can limit mobility for years
  • Wrist and shoulder injuries from instinctive attempts to break a fall
  • Soft tissue injuries that don't show up immediately but become chronic without proper treatment

 

The medical costs associated with these injuries are real, and the impact on your ability to work and live your life is real. A free consultation with our team tells you whether the circumstances of your fall create a viable claim.

What a Slip and Fall Case Can Recover

A successful slip and fall claim can cover more than your emergency room bill. Depending on the circumstances of your injury, recoverable damages may include:

 

  • Medical expenses, including future treatment and rehabilitation costs
  • Lost wages if your injury kept you out of work
  • Reduced earning capacity if the injury affects your long-term ability to work
  • Pain and suffering, including the physical and emotional toll of recovery
  • Out-of-pocket costs directly tied to the injury

 

Our attorneys have recovered $175,000 or more in personal injury verdicts and significant settlements for clients across northeast Wisconsin. We take cases on contingency — you pay nothing unless we recover for you.

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Slip and Fall Questions We Hear from Wisconsin Clients

  • Can I sue for a slip and fall in Wisconsin if I wasn't sure whose fault it was?

    Yes. Wisconsin uses a comparative negligence system, which means fault can be shared between parties. As long as your share of fault is less than 51%, you can still recover compensation. The property owner's failure to maintain safe conditions is what matters most — and that's what we investigate.

  • What if the fall happened months ago and I didn't report it at the time?

    You can still pursue a claim. Wisconsin's statute of limitations for personal injury cases is generally three years from the date of the injury. That said, evidence like camera footage and maintenance logs disappears quickly, so the sooner you contact us, the more we can work with.

  • Does icy sidewalk or parking lot negligence count as a valid slip and fall claim in Wisconsin?

    It can, yes. Wisconsin property owners and businesses have a duty to address known ice and snow hazards within a reasonable time. If a business had adequate notice that conditions were dangerous and failed to salt, sand, or clear the area, they can be held liable for injuries that result.

  • What's the difference between a slip and fall claim and a premises liability claim?

    Slip and fall is a specific type of premises liability case — one involving a hazardous surface condition like ice, a wet floor, or an uneven walkway. Premises liability is the broader legal doctrine that also covers things like inadequate security, pool accidents, and structural defects. If you slipped and fell, your case falls under both — but the specific facts of your fall shape how we build it.

  • How soon do I need to contact a slip and fall attorney after my injury?

    As soon as possible. Security footage is often overwritten within 24 to 72 hours. Incident reports can be altered or go missing. Witnesses' memories fade. The earlier we can begin preserving evidence, the stronger your case. We offer free case reviews and can meet with you within 24 hours of your first call.

Meet With an Attorney — Not a Paralegal — Within 24 Hours

At Janssen Law, you don't wait weeks to get answers. When you contact our office, we get you in front of an attorney within 24 hours. Bob Janssen brings more than 35 years of personal injury experience to every case, and our attorneys have earned recognition as Wisconsin Super Lawyers — a designation held by fewer than 5% of attorneys in the state. We serve clients in Green Bay, Appleton, Marinette, Manitowoc, De Pere, Hayward, and communities across northeast Wisconsin. Spanish-speaking clients are welcome — bilingual staff are on hand to assist.

 

Your fall may have happened fast. What you do next doesn't have to feel rushed or confusing. We'll walk you through what the evidence shows, what your options are, and what a realistic case looks like — at no cost to you.