Slip and fall hazards are everywhere. When a property owner knows about a slip and fall hazard – or should know about it – and does nothing to keep that hazard from causing social guests and commercial visitors from falling and being injured because of it, the property owner may be deemed negligent and held liable for the victim’s related damages.
If you suffer an injury in a slip and fall accident, you may pursue monetary compensation for your related damages through a personal injury claim. An experienced lawyer can help you gather evidence to support your claim, file the claim, and negotiate on your behalf in pursuit of an appropriate compensation settlement.
What Causes Slips and Falls?
Slip and fall hazards can be found inside and outside. They include, but are not limited to:
- Wet tiles;
- Puddles of liquid;
- Broken steps;
- Broken handrails;
- Unsecured carpets and wires;
- Uneven flooring;
- Debris on the floor or the ground outside; and
- Poor lighting that conceals tripping hazards.
How Can I be Injured in a Slip or Fall?
How far you fall, how you land, and your overall fitness level can all impact the type of injury you sustain in a fall and its severity. Generally, older adults are more likely to fall and suffer severe injuries than younger adults.
- Slip and fall injuries can include:
- Broken bones;
- Spinal cord injuries;
- Cuts;
- Soft tissue injuries; and
- Traumatic brain injury.
Sometimes, a fall only results in a few bruises or a minor cut. In other cases, it results in a severe injury that requires extensive medical treatment. Certain injuries, like mild brain injuries, do not have immediately obvious symptoms and can be overlooked. This is why it is so important that you seek medical attention for yourself as soon as you can after a fall, even if you do not feel like you were badly injured. Failing to receive prompt medical care can make your injury become worse and possibly undermine your personal injury claim.
Pursuing Compensation for your Slip and Fall Damages
You can file a personal injury claim to pursue compensation for the following injury-related damages:
- Medical expenses;
- Lost wages; and
- Pain and suffering damages.
In order to recover compensation, you must demonstrate how the property owner’s negligence caused your accident to happen. You must also demonstrate the specific financial damages you suffered as a result of the injury. You can do this with evidence, which can include:
- A copy of the official accident report;
- Photographs of the accident;
- Copies of your medical bills; and
- Documentation of your lost wages from spending time out of work to recover.
Work with an Experienced Lawyer
When you are suffering from an injury you sustained in a slip and fall, you are entitled to seek monetary compensation for your related damages. To learn more about your rights and legal options when you are in this position, contact Eighmie Law Firm, P.A. to set up your legal consultation with an experienced personal injury attorney. We can answer any questions you have about your case.
