Not every slip and fall, or trip, necessarily results in a personal injury claim. If a person suffers a fall on someone else’s property due to their own carelessness or ill-fitting footwear, for example, they would be responsible for their own medical bills and other expenses related to any injuries.
However, if someone slips and falls due to a hazardous or dangerous condition on someone else’s property, and the property owner ignored or failed to remedy the dangerous condition in good time, the accident victim could have a case for a personal injury claim.
Reasons for Slips and Falls
How do slip and fall accidents occur? Slips and falls can happen in many different circumstances and due to a number of causes.
Typically, falls involve a person losing traction on a walking surface or tripping over an object or steps. While some falls can occur from a certain height, for example, while a victim is on a ladder or roof, some happen on a level surface due to one of the following reasons:
- Wet floor
- Snow or ice on the ground
- Oily surfaces
- Spills or debris on the floor
- Torn or loose carpeting
- Broken flooring
- Loose rugs
- Poor lighting
- Uncovered cables
- Uneven or missing steps
- Missing or broken handrails
- Potholes
- Broken or uneven sidewalks
If you suffered any injuries due to an accident on someone’s property, which involved any of the above reasons or others, you should consult with a slip and fall accident lawyer as you may have legal options. You could potentially recover compensation.
Injuries in Slip and Fall Accidents
Slips and falls can be painful as well as cause long-lasting and sometimes debilitating injuries. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) estimate that one out of every five falls leads to a severe injury, like a traumatic brain injury or a broken hip.
This figure does not include the countless injuries and resulting medical expenses suffered by people going about their daily lives and slipping or tripping outside of work. Slips and falls can occur anywhere, such as malls, grocery stores, in an apartment building, and even while at work. According to Workplace Health & Safety, slip and fall injuries account for a large portion of injuries experienced by health care workers in nursing homes.
According to the Mayo Clinic, falling can put you at risk of serious injury. Some of the more serious injuries in a slip and fall can include:
- Soft tissue injuries
- Head and brain injuries
- Spinal cord injuries
- Back injuries
- Cuts and abrasions
- Pelvic injuries
- Fractures
Some of these injuries may need extensive and long-term medical treatments. They may also require considerable time off work for recovery. If someone else’s carelessness has caused you or a loved one to suffer from any serious injuries, it is only fair that they pay for your damages.
However, it is pivotal that you see a doctor as soon as you can after a slip and fall injury. Not only will you want to make sure that a doctor takes care of your injuries but a medical report detailing your injuries will also be important evidence if you are considering filing a lawsuit later on.
Compensation You Could Receive
If you or a relative suffered harm due to a property owner’s negligence, you could potentially receive various types of compensation for your injuries and your suffering. Compensation can include, but is not limited to:
- Medical bills
- Lost income
- Mental anxiety
- Physical pain
- Loss of life quality
- A household help
- Transportation costs
However, you can only recover compensation when you can prove someone else is responsible for your accident. It can be tough to prove negligence in slip and fall cases, and you will need to have compelling evidence to show fault. A slip and fall accident lawyer can be by your side every step of the way and help you navigate the legal issues around your claim.
Ben Crump Law, PLLC Can Work for You
If you have any questions about how slip and fall accidents occur, and whether you might have a personal injury claim, you should contact us for a free, no-obligation consultation. Slip and fall litigation can be complex, and a property owner may fight your claim with their lawyers.
However, you do not have to stand up to a property owner or business on your own. We can tackle tough cases and help you with all aspects of a slip and fall case. We can fight for your rights as well as compensation for your injuries. Ways in which we can help you with your case can include:
- Comprehensive legal advice and representation
- Gathering the necessary evidence to build your case
- Providing expert witnesses if needed
- Negotiating a settlement with insurances and defendants
- Representing you professionally in a court of law.
We work on contingency, so you will not have to pay any up-front fees if you work with us. Call Ben Crump Law, PLLC today and let us determine whether you have a case and what your best next steps may be. You can reach us at 800-959-1444.
