The consequences of a slip and fall accident injury can significantly impact your life, including your physical and emotional well-being. Moreover, the financial burden can be enormous if you or a family member suffer a life-changing or disabling injury in a fall. However, if someone else’s carelessness caused your slip and fall injuries, you could be entitled to compensation for your medical bills, loss of wages, and other damages.
Morgan & Morgan is here for injured victims and their families. We could hold the responsible person or business to account and help you recover the compensation you need to get your life back on track. Don’t struggle with a slip and fall claim alone. Our tenacious slip and fall lawyers have helped countless victims recover fair settlements and could help you too. Get in touch now for a free, no-obligation consultation to assess your fall and determine your best course of action.
Causes of Slip and Fall Accidents
Poor maintenance of floors, walkways, and stairs can be some reasons why individuals slip and fall. In detail, hazardous conditions can include:
- Uneven flooring
- No warning signs near wet or broken flooring
- Loose rugs or mats
- Inadequate lighting
- Recently waxed or mopped floors
- Failing to use non-slip floor treatments or mats
- Frayed, bulging, and worn carpets
- Untreated icy surfaces and snow accumulations
- Spills and debris left on floors
- Potholes in parking lots and on sidewalks
- Splashed grease on floors
Where Do Slips and Falls Usually Occur?
Slip and fall accidents can happen anywhere, including in private homes, government offices, restaurants, and stores. Common locations for falls include:
- Grocery stores
- Shopping malls
- Bars and restaurants
- Workplaces
- Public pools
- Hospitals
- Nursing homes
- Hotels and resorts
- Theme parks
- Parking lots and garages
- Airports
- Public transit stations
Property Owners Have the Duty to Eliminate Hazards
Property owners of public and private premises are responsible for keeping guests, visitors, and renters reasonably safe and reducing the risk of slips and falls. Steps they should take can include:
- Mopping up spills or water from floors
- Ensuring adequate lighting
- Fixing broken steps and loose handrails as soon as possible
- Posting warning signs if they cannot remove the hazardous situation immediately
- Removing snow and ice from walkways
- Patching up potholes and cracks in sidewalks and parking lots
- Using non-slip mats on flooring
What Qualifies as a Slip and Fall?
Your fall must have occurred due to another’s carelessness to have a legal compensation claim. Property and business owners who neglect the maintenance of their premises and fail to fix hazards or neglect to warn guests of any dangers may be responsible for victims’ damages. However, to qualify for a settlement, injured individuals must prove that a property owner or another responsible party is liable.
If you recently suffered injuries in a fall on another’s property, consider speaking to a slip and fall lawyer to establish whether you have a claim, as you could be entitled to compensation. A lawyer at Morgan & Morgan can assess your accident, determine whether you have a legal case, and move forward with a claim on your behalf.
Common Injuries in Slip and Fall Accidents
While falls can cause significant injuries in all age groups, older adults tend to face particularly devastating consequences. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) say that older adults may no longer be able to live on their own after suffering severe injuries in a fall.
Fall injuries can vary greatly, ranging from harmless bruises or sprains to permanent disabilities. More severe injuries from falls can include:
Head and Brain Injuries
Head injuries in slips and falls can occur when the head strikes an object, such as a piece of furniture or the floor. While some head injuries can be mild and heal on their own, others, such as traumatic brain injuries (TBI), can have life-changing consequences for victims.
Broken Bones
Severe falls can cause bone fractures. Since most individuals try to break falls with their hands, broken wrists and arms can be common fall injuries. Other fall fractures can include the ankles and legs, knees, and hips.
Even relatively uncomplicated bone breaks can take some time to heal. However, individuals could suffer a permanent disability when a major fracture occurs, such as that of the hip bone.
Spinal Cord Injuries
According to a study published by the National Center for Biotechnology Information (NCBI), spinal cord injuries from falls are particularly frequent in the elderly. Moreover, when spinal cord injuries do occur in older adults, they tend to stay longer in hospitals and face higher care costs than younger adults. Spinal cord damage can cause numerous health effects, including:
- Permanent changes in strength
- Loss of sensation
- Paralysis below the site of the injury
- Loss of bowel and bladder control
Facial Injuries
A victim unable to cushion their fall may strike the ground or an object with the face, potentially resulting in broken or chipped teeth, nose fractures, eye injuries, and cuts. Facial injuries can be emotionally distressing, especially in cases where permanent scarring remains.
Cuts and Lacerations
Individuals who fall and land on broken glass, sharp metal, or other debris, may experience deep cuts, lacerations, and puncture wounds. Significant wounds typically require stitches and other medical interventions and may cause permanent damage to muscles and nerves.
If you or a loved one was severely hurt in a fall, speak to a slip and fall lawyer as soon as possible. Someone else may be responsible for your accident and injuries, and you could be entitled to compensation.