Odessa Slip & Fall Accident Lawyer
Holding Property Owners Accountable
A slip and fall may sound minor, but for many victims it leads to broken bones, head trauma, or lasting disability. These accidents are preventable when property owners, businesses, and landlords keep their premises safe. Unfortunately, too many cut corners, ignore hazards, or fail to warn visitors about dangers.
At KRW Lawyers, we represent victims of unsafe property conditions throughout Odessa and Ector County. Since 2006, we’ve recovered over $1 billion for Texans harmed by negligence, and our team includes a Board-Certified Personal Injury Trial Lawyer prepared to take cases to trial when property owners and insurers refuse accountability.
If you’ve been injured in a fall, call or contact us online for a FREE consultation. We’ll review your situation and explain whether you may have a viable claim.
Why Choose KRW Lawyers for Slip & Fall Cases?
Choosing the right law firm can make all the difference in a premises liability case. At KRW Lawyers, we combine experience, resources, and compassion to give injured Texans a true advantage.
- Proven Track Record. With more than $1 billion recovered, our results reflect both our commitment to justice and our ability to take on powerful defendants.
- Trial-Ready Leadership. Our president, Douglas Ketterman, is Board-Certified in Personal Injury Trial Law, a distinction earned by fewer than 2% of attorneys in Texas. When negotiations fail, we are prepared to go to trial.
- Focused on West Texas Communities. We’ve been standing up for Odessa families since 2006. From oilfield workers to seniors injured in unsafe businesses, we know the unique challenges faced in Ector County and beyond.
- Client-Centered Representation. We handle cases on a contingency fee basis, so you pay nothing unless we secure compensation. More importantly, we treat every client like family, offering guidance and support throughout the process.
Voices of Our Clients
At KRW Lawyers, we measure our success not only in verdicts and settlements but also in the trust our clients place in us. Over the years, we’ve helped countless Texans rebuild after devastating accidents, and their stories highlight the dedication we bring to every case.
Here’s what some of them have shared:
“Thank you from the bottom of my heart.”
It is hard to adequately describe quality of the legal representation I received from KRW Lawyers. From day one, Joshua Hatley and his assistant Brittany, were courteous, fair, attentive, hard-working, and most of all, HONEST. – Former Client
“KRW Lawyers made the absolute best possible outcome out of a horrible situation.”
Henry and Lisa were able to quickly take my case and had it closed in a short time. They kept great communication and always followed up with phone calls just to check in. I highly recommend them if you ever need legal assistance. – Former Client
When Does a Slip & Fall Become a Case?
Not every fall leads to a lawsuit. Texas law makes an important distinction between an “accident” and negligence. To bring a successful slip and fall claim, you must show that:
- A dangerous condition existed. Examples include wet floors in a grocery store, uneven pavement outside a business, broken stairs in an apartment complex, or icy walkways left untreated.
- The property owner knew or should have known about it. This doesn’t require direct proof they saw the hazard. It may be enough to show that the danger existed long enough that a reasonable owner should have addressed it. For instance, surveillance footage showing a spill sat for hours without cleanup can establish notice.
- The owner failed to take reasonable steps. Property owners must repair dangerous conditions or at least warn visitors. When they fail to act, they breach their duty of care.
- You suffered actual harm. Medical bills, lost wages, pain, or disability caused by the fall make the claim legally viable.
Texas also follows comparative negligence rules. If you were partly at fault — say, distracted by your phone or ignoring a posted warning — your compensation may be reduced. But unless you were more than 50% responsible, you may still recover damages.
This framework ensures that only falls caused by preventable hazards, not mere clumsiness or bad luck, form the basis of civil claims.
Who May Be Liable for Slip & Fall Accidents?
Liability in slip & fall cases rests on a party’s duty of care —their legal obligation to keep visitors safe from unreasonable risks. In Texas, the duty owed depends in part on the visitor’s status:
- Invitees (customers, tenants, hotel guests): owed the highest duty of care, requiring owners to inspect property and fix hazards.
- Licensees (social guests, delivery drivers): owed a duty to be warned of known dangers.
- Trespassers: generally owed less protection, except in limited circumstances (such as children under the “attractive nuisance” doctrine).
Potentially liable parties include:
- Commercial Businesses – Grocery stores, restaurants, retail shops, and hotels that profit from inviting the public onto their premises.
- Residential Landlords – Apartment complexes and rental property owners who must keep stairwells, sidewalks, and common areas safe.
- Contractors and Maintenance Companies – Hired to clean, repair, or maintain property but who cut corners or leave hazards behind.
- Municipal Entities – In certain cases, the city may be responsible for unsafe sidewalks, crosswalks, or public buildings.
Every case turns on whether the party owed a duty, failed to meet it, and caused injury as a result. At KRW Lawyers, we analyze ownership records, maintenance contracts, and inspection logs to identify all responsible parties.
They truly care and get results.
Damages and the Legal Process in Slip & Fall Cases
A serious fall can change the course of a person’s life. Through a civil claim, victims may recover both economic and non-economic damages, including:
- Medical Costs: From emergency room visits to surgeries, physical therapy, and long-term care.
- Lost Income: Wages missed during recovery and reduced earning capacity if you cannot return to your trade.
- Pain and Suffering: Physical pain, emotional trauma, and the loss of enjoyment of daily activities.
- Wrongful Death Damages: Funeral expenses, loss of support, and companionship for surviving families in fatal cases.
To recover these damages, time is critical. In Texas, most premises liability claims must be filed within two years of the injury. Evidence also disappears quickly — surveillance video may be erased within days, spills are cleaned, and witnesses become harder to find.
Here’s what to expect in the process:
- Consultation: We evaluate whether your fall meets the criteria for a viable claim.
- Investigation: Our team gathers evidence such as maintenance logs, inspection records, and witness statements.
- Filing the Claim: We pursue compensation through negotiation with insurers or, if necessary, litigation in court.
- Resolution: Many cases settle, but we are fully prepared to try your case if that’s what it takes to secure fair compensation.
By acting quickly and working with experienced counsel, victims maximize their chances of recovering the compensation they need for both immediate and future losses.
Speak With an Odessa Slip & Fall Accident Attorney Today
If you’ve been injured due to unsafe property conditions in Odessa or Ector County, don’t assume the fall was “just an accident.” You may have rights.
Call or contact us online for a FREE consultation.
