Vancouver Slip and Fall Lawyers

Occupiers’ liability in British Columbia is the area of law that governs injuries on someone else’s property. When you are injured on another person’s property in a slip and fall accident, it is important to understand your rights and what the property owner or occupier should have done to keep you reasonably safe.

If a store, restaurant, landlord, homeowner, or municipality fails to maintain safe premises and you are hurt as a result, you may be entitled to seek compensation for your injuries. The Occupiers Liability Act in BC sets out the lawful duty property owners and occupiers owe to people on their premises and is central to many slip and fall claims we handle.

At Border Solutions Law Group, our Vancouver slip and fall lawyers help injured people understand whether occupiers’ liability may apply and what steps to take next. We act for clients throughout British Columbia from our downtown Vancouver office and provide clear, practical advice tailored to your situation.

To find out more about your legal rights and options, call (604) 684-4211 or contact us online today. Your first consultation with our team is free.

What Qualifies as a Slip And Fall Accident?

Slip and fall accidents occur when a hazard present on another person’s property causes you to lose your footing and fall. In everyday language, they are often called “slips and falls” or “trips and falls,” but the core issue is the same: a dangerous condition on a property leads to injury.

Common hazards include cramped walkways, broken tiles or other damaged flooring, slippery or wet surfaces without proper warning, broken or uneven steps, wet, snowy, or icy walkways, and holes or hidden depressions in outdoor surfaces. A lack of caution signage in hazardous areas, poor lighting or visibility, and objects or cords left where people walk can also create dangerous situations that lead to serious falls.

Although some slip and fall accidents cause minor injuries, others can be life-changing, particularly for older adults or people with pre-existing health conditions. If you have been hurt in this type of accident, you may be eligible for legal recourse. Speaking with our slip and fall lawyers in Vancouver as soon as possible can help you understand how strong your claim may be and what you should do next.

What Is Occupiers’ Liability?

Occupiers’ liability is the legal responsibility a person or organization has to keep their property reasonably safe for others. An “occupier” might be a commercial tenant operating a store or restaurant, a residential landlord or property manager, a private homeowner, a strata corporation, or a municipality or other public authority.

In British Columbia, the Occupiers’ Liability Act stipulates that occupiers must take reasonable care to ensure that visitors are safe on their premises. This does not mean a property owner is automatically at fault every time someone falls, but it does mean they must take proactive steps to:

• Inspect for hazards
• Clean up spills or debris within a reasonable time
• Clear snow and ice with a reasonable system
• Repair broken stairs, handrails, or flooring
• Provide adequate lighting
• Post warning signs where immediate repair is not possible

Our Vancouver slip and fall lawyers look closely at what systems, policies, and maintenance routines the occupier had in place and whether those were followed in your case. We investigate your incident in order to prove that the occupier was negligent in keeping their premises safe for you at the time of your accident.

Common Slip And Fall Injuries in Vancouver

A fall can happen in seconds, but the physical and emotional effects can last months or years. Our Vancouver slip and fall lawyers regularly see injuries such as sprains and strains, fractures to the wrist, ankle, hip, or arm, and soft tissue injuries to the neck, back, and shoulders. Concussions and other traumatic brain injuries are also common, particularly when someone hits their head on the ground or another surface.

Many clients develop chronic pain, mobility issues, or a fear of falling that affects their confidence and independence. Psychological impacts such as anxiety, low mood, or sleep problems are also common after serious slip and fall accidents. Even if your injuries seem minor at first, symptoms can worsen over time or interfere with your work, household responsibilities, and ability to care for family members.

Even if your injuries seem minor at first, symptoms can worsen over time or interfere with your work, household duties, or ability to care for family members. Speaking with a doctor and documenting your symptoms immediately after your accident is important, both for your recovery and for any potential claim.

Private Property vs Public Property Slip And Fall Claims

In British Columbia, slip and fall accidents can occur in many different places. People are often injured in grocery stores and shopping centres, restaurants, bars, and coffee shops, apartment buildings and strata complexes, parking lots and parkades, sidewalks and roads, parks, government buildings, and other public facilities.

When you slip and fall on private property, the claim is usually brought against the owner, tenant, or strata corporation and their insurance company. On public property, such as a city sidewalk or public park, the potential defendant is typically the municipality or another public body and its insurer. Public property claims are subject to different rules and can involve strict notice requirements that must be met within a short period of time, sometimes as little as days or weeks after the accident.

Missing these notice deadlines can seriously affect your ability to pursue compensation. Our slip and fall lawyers in Vancouver can help you determine who may be responsible for your injuries, what timelines apply, and how best to protect your rights from the outset.

What To Do After A Slip And Fall Accident

Knowing what to do in the moments after your slip and fall or trip and fall can be difficult, especially if you are in pain or embarrassed about the fall. If you are able, some helpful steps include:

1. Get medical attention: Your health comes first. Go to a walk-in clinic, family doctor, or emergency room as needed. Explain how the fall happened and where you were hurt. Take home documentation of your injuries or treatments prescribed, where available.
2. Report the incident: Report the fall to the property owner, manager, or staff on duty. Ask that an incident report be completed and, if possible, request a copy or at least note the date, time, and name of the person you spoke with.
3. Take photographs and videos: If you are physically able to, take photos of the area where you fell, including the hazard (water on the floor, uneven step, ice, debris, etc.), the surrounding area, and your footwear. Conditions can change quickly, especially with snow or spills. It’s recommended that you document the accident scene as soon as possible after the accident occurs to capture any hazards.
4. Collect witness information: If anyone saw your fall or the dangerous condition, ask for their name and contact information.
5. Preserve documents: Keep receipts, medical notes, prescriptions, and any written communication with the property owner or insurer.
6. Speak with Vancouver slip and fall lawyers: Before giving detailed statements to an insurance company, it is usually a good idea to talk with Vancouver slip and fall lawyers who understand occupiers’ liability law in BC. They can help you avoid saying something that may be taken out of context later and harm your claim.

How Our Vancouver Slip And Fall Lawyers Can Help Clients

Whether your injury occurred on private or public property, it is important that any claim is properly investigated, documented, and pursued within the applicable time limits. Our Vancouver slip and fall lawyers begin by reviewing what happened and helping you determine who may be legally responsible. We then explain how the Occupiers’ Liability Act applies to your circumstances in practical terms so you understand the strengths and potential challenges in your case.

Our team can gather evidence such as maintenance records, cleaning logs, incident reports, security footage, where available, and witness statements. We also work closely with your doctors and other health professionals to understand the full impact of your injuries, both now and in the future. This includes looking at your ability to work, perform household tasks, participate in hobbies, and care for dependents.

We deal directly with insurance adjusters on your behalf, so you do not have to manage stressful phone calls or written exchanges on your own. When settlement offers are made, we provide guidance on whether they fairly reflect your losses and what options you have if they do not. If it becomes necessary, we can file a lawsuit in the British Columbia courts and represent you through the litigation process.

Your interactions with insurers should be informed and strategic. Adjusters work for the insurance company, not for you, and the statements you provide can be used against you later. Having a slip and fall lawyer in Vancouver involved early helps ensure that your rights are protected and that you understand what to expect at each stage of the claim.

At Border Solutions Law Group, our Vancouver personal injury lawyers have decades of combined experience helping injured clients pursue the compensation they deserve for their losses. Let our team handle the complex legal issues for you so you can focus on your recovery.

What Compensation is Available in Vancouver Slip and Fall Claims?

Every case is different, and no lawyer can promise a specific result. That said, compensation in a BC slip and fall claim may include:

• Pain and suffering for the physical and emotional impact of your injuries
• Past loss of income if you missed work
• Future loss of earning capacity if you cannot return to your usual job or hours
• Out-of-pocket medical expenses and rehabilitation costs
• Costs for help with housekeeping, childcare, or other daily tasks you cannot manage
• Future care costs if you will need ongoing treatment or assistance

Our Vancouver slip and fall lawyers work to understand how the accident has affected all aspects of your life, not just your immediate medical bills. In more serious cases, we may work with vocational experts, occupational therapists, or other specialists to properly quantify your losses.

Contact Our Vancouver Slip And Fall Lawyers Today

When it comes to occupiers’ liability in British Columbia, there is no single approach that fits every case. The facts of your accident, the nature of your injuries, and the language of the relevant insurance policy all matter. If you have been hurt because a property owner or occupier did not take reasonable care to keep their premises safe, you may be entitled to seek compensation.

Our Vancouver slip and fall lawyers are here to listen to your story, explain your options, and help you understand what a claim might look like in your circumstances. Clients choose our firm for our in-depth knowledge of BC occupiers’ liability laws, our experience negotiating with insurers, our local insight into conditions and common hazards in Vancouver, and our clear, straightforward communication and commitment to client care.

To speak with a lawyer about your slip and fall accident, call Border Solutions Law Group at (604) 684-4211 or reach us through our online contact form. Your initial consultation with our lawyers is completely free of charge.

Border Solutions Law Group proudly serves individuals, families, and businesses in Vancouver and across North America.

We provide straightforward guidance and practical next steps for cross-border matters, with a focus on clear communication and efficient planning from start to finish.

Let us help you with your legal needs. Our legal team will be pleased to assist.

Vancouver, BC Office:
Suite 408 – 837 West Hastings St.
Vancouver, BC V6C 3N6