Slip and fall accidents occur almost anywhere. While not all slip and fall accidents qualify for a personal injury case, if you slipped and fell on someone else’s property due to a hazard that the property owner did not resolve in a timely manner, you could potentially sue them.
Most slip and fall accidents occur:
- At the grocery store
- In the shopping mall
- In a parking garage
- In an elevator
- On stairs
- In government buildings
- On the sidewalk
- In an apartment building
- In restaurants
- On a job site
The costs for a slip and fall accident can be astronomical, depending on your injuries. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), over 800,000 patients are hospitalized each year due to falls, often due to a head injury or hip fracture.
If you suffered from a serious injury due to a property owner’s carelessness, you could have legal recourse. You can consult with a slip and fall accident lawyer who can help you assess your damages and advise you on any legal avenues open to you.
Main Reasons for Slip and Fall Accidents
If you slip, trip, or fall on account of your own carelessness or due to inadequate footwear, you will not be able to hold a property owner to account for your injuries, expenses, and suffering.
However, if your accident came about due to an unsafe or hazardous condition on someone else’s property, you may have a personal injury case. Slip and fall personal injury claims can arise when a person suffers injuries due to:
- Cracks or potholes in sidewalks
- Spillage or debris on flooring
- Loose or missing handrails
- Loose or bulging carpeting
- Inadequate lighting
- Slippery floors due to over-waxing
- Ice and snow accumulation on the ground
There can be many other reasons for slips and falls. If you or a loved one got hurt on someone else’s property, a slip and fall accident lawyer can help you determine whether you have a case and could receive compensation.
Slip and Fall Accident Injuries
While most of us have probably slipped and fallen at some point in our lives, and may not have had any injuries apart from a few scrapes and bruises, serious slips and falls have the potential to cause horrific and disabling injuries. According to the Cleveland Clinic, even a minor fall can cause a potentially debilitating spine fracture. Some other serious injuries seen in slip and fall accident victims can include:
Head Injuries
Hitting your head in a slip and fall can cause a concussion or other traumatic brain injury. While these head injuries can heal with time, they can sometimes cause long term complications such as impaired cognitive ability, seizures, and chronic headaches.
Fractures
Falls can cause fractures and bone breaks. Depending on the severity of the fall, a victim can break their wrists, arms, and pelvic bone in a fall. Some fractures can require surgeries as well as an extended recovery time.
Back and Spine Injuries
In a severe fall, you may suffer from spine and nerve damage. Spinal cord injuries can cause paralysis. Falls can also cause other back injuries and painful dislocations.
If you have suffered from any injuries after a fall on someone else’s property, you probably have a mountain of medical bills and other expenses now. You might be able to hold someone else responsible. If you can prove that a property owner knew of a dangerous condition, and did nothing to either remove the dangerous condition or warn you of it, you may be able to hold them to account for your damages.
You could potentially receive compensation for your medical bills, pain and suffering, and other damages.
Establishing Negligence in a Slip and Fall Case
In order to have a chance to receive any compensation for your accident, you will have to prove:
- The defendant owed you a duty of care
- They breached that duty
- You suffered harm as a result of the breach
- You have damages
While for you, the circumstances and fault may be crystal clear, proving negligence in a court of law can be challenging and require knowledge of the applicable laws. Proving negligence will also require presenting comprehensive evidence of a property owner’s wrongdoing or lack of action. However, a slip and fall lawyer can help with this.
Call Us Today
Ben Crump Law, PLLC can answer all your pressing questions regarding your slip and fall accident. We can help you assess your legal options and file a personal injury lawsuit on your behalf. Call us today to find out if you could receive compensation at (855) 933-4005.
