So, imagine this, you’re out with a few friends for a meal and you end up in a slip and fall accident injuring your leg, back or even your head. Unfortunately, such slip and fall injuries are more common than you think. Do you know that about 9 million visits to the emergency room every year in the US are because of injuries in a slip and fall accident? It is especially challenging when the injuries are serious and people might need extensive medical attention or end up with lifelong disabilities.
Here’s what you should know about slip and fall accidents and resultant injuries.
Common causes of a slip and fall accident
First and foremost, it is the experience of the property ensure to maintain reasonable safety standards. Often, negligence leads to slip and fall accidents because of:
- Poor walking surfaces, which can be slippery or the carpet is bumpy
- Floor not maintained and may be hazardous, such as ropes lying around on which people might trip
- No warning against wet floors
- No handrails against ladders
- Poor lighting which hampers someone’s ability to look out for any risks
Children, older adults and workers are most vulnerable to slip-and-fall accidents.
Common injuries due to a slip and fall accident
- Sprains and fractures: Typically, in a fall, we most commonly end up twisting our knee or ankle which could either lead to breaking the bone or tearing the ligament due to the impact; and both outcomes are not only painful but need a long recovery time. Among fractures, it is the hip, spine, forearm, leg, ankle, pelvis, upper arm and hand which are the most common. In fact, more than 95% hip fractures are due to falls, as per C.D.C. Moreover, older people are more vulnerable due to weakened bones.
- Head injuries: Sadly, falls are the most common cause of head traumatic head injuries. Most of these injuries, ranging from a minor concussion to a severe injury, need medical attention either immediately or ongoing. This means financial, emotional and physical trauma for the victim and the family.
- Back injuries: Our spine is extremely delicate and often falls prey to falls. More than 25% spinal injuries in older people is due to falls. A slip and fall accident is capable of fracturing the spine or harm the discs. This can be excruciatingly painful and even restrict mobility. Spinal injuries can cause paralysis and other impairments.
- Shoulder injury: Dislocating your shoulder is one of the most common outcomes of a fall, largely due to the impact on the shoulder should you land on it. Sometimes injuries on the shoulders need physical therapy and even surgery.
If you or someone you know has suffered a slip and fall accident due to someone’s negligence, get in touch with a slip and fall injury attorney to know your legal options.
What to do if you’re in a slip and fall accident?
As mentioned, it is the property owner who is responsible for the visitor’s safety. If their negligence has caused a slip and fall accident, they can be sued under a “premises liability case”. For example, if you fall in a mall because the floor was wet and there was no warning sign, it is the managemement of the mall which is liable as they failed to warn the visitor about the wet floor. At the same time, in case of any slip-and-fall, here is what the victim has to ensure:
- They were on the property within their legal rights
- The owner was aware of the hazard and failed to do anything about it
- The negligence led to the accident
Call a slip and fall injury lawyer to know more.
What are you owed in a slip and fall accident?
A slip and fall injury lawyer will help you get what you’re owed. Mostly, the property owner or their lawyer will cover your medical bills and call it a day. But, that’s not it! You should be compensated financially for all the costs as well the loss of quality to life. A few factors to consider while figuring out your compensation are – medical costs, transportation cost, loss of income (now and future), pain and suffering, and loss to any standard of living you enjoyed earlier, such as unrestricted mobility.
Reach out to Siler & Ingber, LLP, call us on 1-877-529-4343 or contact us via our online form on this page to schedule a free consultation and case evaluation with a slip and fall injury attorney.