Everyone stumbles once in awhile, but sometimes, you can seriously injure yourself from slipping and falling. Examples of slip and fall include someone slipping on a wet floor, tripping over defective stairs, or stumbling on a patch of carpet that is coming up on the floor. If the slip or fall occurred on someone’s property, the property owner may be held liable for your injuries, depending on the circumstances of the case.
Victims may be entitled to compensation for their medical expenses, pain and suffering, lost wages, and future lost wages. To discuss your legal options, place a call to the Trial Lawyers for Justice today.
Proving Liability
Property owners are responsible for maintaining safe conditions on their property so guests do not injure themselves. However, that does not mean that a property owner will automatically be held liable in a slip and fall case. To prove liability, you must be able to show one of the following:
- The property owner or one of his employees caused the unsafe condition. For example, if the property owner spilled a drink and left a puddle on the floor, he may be held liable if you slip on this puddle and hurt yourself.
- The property owner or his employees knew about the hazardous condition but did not take action to fix it. For example, if a property owner watches as a customer spills a liquid on the floor, but does nothing to clean up the puddle or put “wet floor” signs around it, he may be held liable if you slip on the liquid.
- The property owner or his employees should have known about the hazardous condition because a reasonable property owner would have already been aware of it and taken steps to fix it. This can be difficult to prove, but it often comes down to common sense. If it’s reasonable to believe the property owner should have known about the condition, he may be held liable.
Common Slip and Fall Injuries
Slip and fall injuries can range from minor cuts and bruises to major spinal cord or brain damage. Some of the most common slip and fall injuries include:
Spinal Cord and Back Injuries
A fall can easily lead to a slipped disc, strained lower back muscles, or a complete or partial spinal cord injury. Recovery from any of these injuries can be long and painful, and often require surgery, rehabilitation, and physical therapy.
Traumatic Brain Injuries
If your head makes contact with the ground or any other hard object as you fall, you may suffer from a traumatic brain injury. Depending on the force of the impact, the injury can range from a mild concussion to a severe traumatic brain injury with a great deal of brain damage.
Hip Fractures
According to the CDC, about 95% of hip fractures are caused by falls. If you fracture your hip in a slip and fall, you will most likely need surgery and physical therapy in order to get back on your feet.
Sprains or Broken Bones
The sudden, unexpected movements that occur during a slip and fall can lead to sprains, strains, and broken bones throughout the body. Broken bones usually occur upon impact of your body hitting the floor. Although these are much less serious than other injuries, they can still cause a fair amount of pain.
If You Have Been Injured
Don’t hesitate to seek legal representation from a personal injury attorney if you have been injured in a slip and fall contact the team of attorneys at the Trial Lawyers for Justice for legal advice regarding your case. Call 866-854-5529 today to schedule a free consultation.