Everyone has slipped, tripped, or fallen at some point in their lifetime. Often, these incidents do little more than bruise your ego. Unfortunately, many fall accidents have life-changing or even fatal repercussions.
The frequency of severe fall injuries might surprise you. According to the National Floor Safety Institute, falls result in more than 8 million emergency room visits every year. According to their research, this makes slip and fall accidents the leading cause of emergency room visits. Additionally, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), about 20 percent of falls cause a serious injury, such as a head injury or one or more broken bones.
If you suffered injuries in a fall, you could have a viable claim for monetary compensation. Not every fall will lead to a successful lawsuit, however. You must first establish that the owner of the property where the fall occurred failed to protect you from a dangerous hazard. If you have questions about your slip and fall claim, a Mesa slip and fall injury lawyer from Ben Crump Law, PLLC has answers. Call (855) 933-4005 to speak with a legal professional right away.
Factors Involved in a Fall
The factors in a slip and fall accident can vary tremendously. These accidents often involve a slippery substance left on a floor, like spilled food or cleaning supplies. Other fall accidents result from tripping over an exposed hazard like a tree root or an extension cord. Fall accidents also happen due to structural defects or other issues with the property.
No matter the facts of a fall, it is worth noting that the property owner might not be the only potentially liable party. It is possible to pursue these claims not only against the building owner, but the occupier as well. For example, a business leasing its space from a landlord is not immune to liability for a slip and fall accident claim on the premises.
Wet Floors
A common hazard in slip and fall accident claims involves slippery substances on the ground. This type of hazard may be common in grocery stores and other businesses. When customers drop food or spill drinks, it can quickly result in a dangerous slip and fall hazard.
Broken Stairs
Often, falls occur on steps or stairways due to structural deficiencies. These deficiencies can come in many forms. For example, stairs with missing or damaged steps may result in dangerous falls. Additionally, loose or missing banisters are another common cause of fall accidents.
Inadequate Lighting
Many falls occur due to a person’s inability to see the hazards in front of them. When a residence or business fails to provide adequate lighting, they could face liability for any injuries resulting from a fall.
Loose Hazards
Many fall hazards involve loose debris or other items that represent a significant tripping risk. This could include trash that accumulates on the floor of a restaurant, or a loose extension cord strung across the floor of a private residence.
Accumulated Ice or Snow
While many slip and fall accidents occur indoors, it is not unusual for falls to happen outside. In many cases, these falls occur due to the accumulation of ice or snow on parking lots or walkways. While property owners cannot control the weather, they do have a duty to address accumulated snow or ice in a reasonable amount of time.
For a free legal consultation with a slip and fall injury lawyer serving Mesa, call (855) 933-4005
Frequent Slip and Fall Injuries
Slip and fall accidents frequently result in substantial physical injuries. The severity of these injuries depends on a few factors, though. Falls that occur from a great height are more dangerous than those that occur at ground level. Additionally, the part of the body that bears the impact of a fall will determine how severe the injury might be. While an ankle injury can be painful, damage to the head or neck could be fatal. Some possible slip and fall injuries include:
- Broken bones
- Cuts and bruises
- Brain damage
- Skull fractures
- Internal bleeding
- Sprains and strains
- Chipped teeth
- Knee injuries
- Back injuries
- Paralysis
- Spinal damage
Mesa Slip and Fall Injury Lawyer Near Me (855) 933-4005
The Time Limit to File a Lawsuit
A statute of limitations governs every slip and fall injury claim in Mesa. This statute sets strict time limits on bringing a lawsuit. If you fail to file your lawsuit on time, the court has the power to prevent you from pursuing your claim. The court could prevent you from moving forward even if the underlying facts of your case are favorable to you. With that in mind, you must comply with the statute of limitations.
In Mesa, Arizona Revised Statutes § 12-542 outlines the appropriate statute of limitations. Under this statute, you have two years from the date the injury occurred to pursue legal action. Think of the statute of limitations as a clock that is slowly winding down. Once the two-year point passes, your opportunity to pursue legal action likely comes to an end.
The statute of limitations is only one of the pitfalls that comes with a personal injury claim. To protect your legal rights after a fall, you may wish to speak with experienced legal counsel right away. A Mesa slip and fall injury lawyer may be able to help you ensure you comply with the statute of limitations and any other legal deadlines you might face. To learn more about your options, contact Ben Crump Law, PLLC as soon as possible.
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You Could Recover Compensation from a Slip and Fall
For many people, the cost of medical care following a slip and fall accident can be overwhelming. If you find yourself buried in medical debt due to a fall, let the attorneys at Ben Crump Law, PLLC advise you of your legal rights. In some cases, you could hold the property owner accountable for your injuries. You do not have to face the property owner and their insurance company alone. Call (855) 933-4005 today to learn how a Mesa slip and fall injury lawyer may be able to help you.
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