According to the CDC (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention), millions of people are treated in emergency rooms each year due to falls. Slip and fall accidents account for over 1 million emergency room visits every year. Injuries from these accidents can be severe or even life-threatening, preventing you from working, and impacting you and your family both emotionally, physically, and financially. If you have been injured in a slip and fall accident on someone else’s property, understanding your legal rights is essential to obtaining the compensation you deserve.
Common Locations for Slip and Falls
A property owner may be liable and required to compensate you for your personal injury and losses if your slip and fall accident occurred on his or her property. Slip and fall injuries often occur in theatres, arenas, stadiums, workplaces, retirement homes, private homes, stores, restaurants, and hotels/motels.
Common Causes of Slip and Falls
While slip and fall accidents can occur under any circumstances, the most common causes include wet/slippery floors, ice/snow, cluttered walkways, damaged floors/stairs, ditches, potholes, uneven walking surfaces, and inadequate lighting.
Common Injuries due to Slip and Falls
The most common personal injuries sustained in slip and fall accidents include traumatic brain injuries, spinal cord injuries, neck/shoulder/back injuries, bone breaks/fractures, knee injuries, and even death. Oftentimes, these injuries are serious and involve expensive and/or lengthy medical treatments or rehabilitation.
How Much Compensation Will You Receive?
As you can imagine, each slip and fall injury is different, and therefore compensation will depend on the specific circumstances of the accident, as well as how severe your injuries are. Accident victims are allowed to file claims for both monetary and non-monetary damages, including medical/hospital bills, physical therapy, rehabilitation, lost wages, pain and suffering, loss of enjoyment of life, and even loss of consortium for loved ones. An attorney who focuses on personal injury cases can advise you about your unique case, and provide you the best course of action.
Your Slip and Fall Action Plan
- Seek Medical Care: Before anything else, if you have been injured in a slip and fall accident, you must seek medical attention.
- Report the Accident: File a formal report regarding the slip and fall accident, if possible or appropriate.
- Make a Record: Save all records regarding the accident, including pictures, witness statements, accident reports, medical bills, correspondence, and receipts.
- Avoid Social Media: Your social media accounts may be provided as evidence in a court of law. Do not discuss your injuries or any potential legal action regarding your slip and fall case on social media.
- Contact an attorney: Before accepting any settlement offer, you should strongly consider contacting a personal injury lawyer for advice.
Contact a Lexington Personal Injury Attorney Today
A personal injury due to a slip and fall accident can be painful physically, emotionally, and financially. Insurance companies and business/property owners may attempt to have you sign settlement offers that are not in your best interest. Roberts Law Office focuses on personal injury claims. Contact us today to set up a free initial consultation and case review.