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An accident happens when you least expect it, and a slip-and-fall accident is no different. Whether it’s due to slippery surfaces, poor lighting, or poorly maintained properties, these accidents can inflict serious injuries — and substantial medical expenses.
Property owners and occupants don’t always want to assume liability for accidents on their property. But, in many of these instances, if not all of them, an accident could have been avoided had they made needed repairs, kept up with site maintenance, or placed proper signage to advise visitors of potential hazards.
When you choose to work with the CEO Lawyer Personal Injury Law Firm, you can expect top-tier legal support, ensuring that your case receives the attention and has the highest chance of earning the compensation it deserves. Schedule your free initial consultation with one of our experienced Acworth attorneys today when you call (833) 254-2923 or contact us online.
How a Slip and Fall Attorney Helps Your Claim Find Success
According to the National Floor and Safety Institute, slip and fall accidents account for more than 8 million annual emergency room visits across the US. These accidents can have extensive consequences, significantly disrupting a victim’s daily routine and quality of life, especially in older individuals or those with pre-existing conditions and bodily limitations.
In the end, a slip and fall may cause injuries that persist for weeks, months, or even longer, requiring more medical appointments, therapy, and medication.
Serious slip and fall accidents may result in severe injuries, requiring numerous doctor’s appointments, therapy sessions, and, in some cases, surgical procedures to recover. These treatments require an excessive amount of time and financial resources until one is healed, which creates a financially burdensome situation for many victims.
However, by working with an attorney experienced in slip-and-fall cases, you can navigate the challenges of the legal process with expert guidance and representation. Whether negotiating with insurance companies or pursuing legal action in court, your slip-and-fall attorney should be ready to fight for your rights to the compensation you deserve, even when the opposing party attempts to pressure you into settling for less.
Understanding Slip and Fall Accidents
The term “slip and fall” describes a specific type of personal injury case in which an individual is hurt while on another person’s property. While the terms “slip” and “fall” are often used interchangeably, they refer to different aspects of these accidents:
What Are Slips?
The majority of slip incidents occur when there is a loss of traction. Typically, the environment where the accident occurred caused insufficient or no traction between the sole of a shoe and the surface on which the individual was walking.
Typically, these accidents happen on wet or slippery surfaces, icy or slushy terrains, and often when individuals are in a hurry and not paying enough attention to their surroundings. Fortunately, it is possible to retain balance when they slip by grabbing onto a nearby object or structure.
What Is a Fall?
While slips result from a loss of traction, they do not always result in a fall. When a victim slips, trips, or falls, they completely lose their balance, forcing their weight in one direction and causing them to make forceful contact with the ground or another hard surface.
Although slips can cause injury, falls tend to have much more painful consequences that require more medical intervention and treatment for recovery.
Do These Things After a Slip-and-Fall Accident to Protect Your Injury Claim
Slip and fall accidents may result in life-threatening injuries, particularly when there’s an impact on the victim’s head or spine. Depending on the victim’s medical history, these injuries may also lead to unforeseen medical complications, particularly among older adults who may have fragile hips, knees, and shoulders.
After a slip and fall, victims may be uncertain about how to treat their injuries. Here are the critical steps to consider:
Always Call 911 When You Could Be Hurt
Liable parties may try to talk you out of it, but calling the authorities is the only way to receive immediate medical attention. Calling 911 ensures prompt access to necessary medical care and transportation to the nearest medical facility.
In the event that you aren’t sure if you’re hurt, still seek medical attention promptly. You want to ensure that all injuries are diagnosed as close as possible to the date of the accident so as to create a record of cause and effect while also beginning treatment quickly.
Do Not Speak Without Legal Representation
When a slip and fall occurs, negligent parties immediately look for ways to avoid legal consequences, including various tactics to evade responsibility. In some cases, they might attempt to convince the victim to sign a waiver, which includes language absolving them of liability or shifting the blame to the injured party, or they may also offer cash on the spot.
No matter how difficult the circumstances are, do not sign any documents. Fully investigate the situation and determine appropriate damages in order to protect the full extent of your legal rights to receive due compensation.
Make Sure to Collect and Document Evidence
The National Safety Council emphasizes that all slip and fall accidents are preventable, suggesting negligence on the part of the responsible party. Gathering photographic and video evidence of the incident, including the hazardous conditions that caused the slip and fall, is invaluable.
Visual evidence can demonstrate the hazards that led to the accident, potentially working in your favor and undoubtedly showing the property owner’s negligence. Additionally, video footage and images can capture important details that might be misremembered or forgotten over time. In some cases, the actions or statements of the property owner after the incident can serve as evidence of their liability.
Retain Medical Records
After seeking medical care, it’s crucial to maintain all documentation of your injuries and provide copies to your slip and fall lawyer. These documents include any diagnoses, medical bills, and records of lost wages, strengthening your claim.
The Difference Between a Property Owner and an Occupier
Slip-and-fall cases typically involve a liable party: the owner or an occupier. Usually, one or more parties will be responsible for the property conditions resulting in your injuries.
- Property owners are responsible for maintaining their properties in a way that keeps all invitees and other non-trespasser parties safe from harm. Preventing property owner liability includes completing necessary repairs and maintenance to keep visitors and occupants safe.
- Occupiers have a more limited responsibility to keep the premises reasonably safe. An occupier is only obligated to report any unsafe conditions to the property owner but doesn’t have the obligation to fix them. However, they are expected to maintain general cleanliness and address hazards that are reasonably dealt with (e.g., raking leaves from steps) or that they created (e.g., mopping up spills in a grocery store aisle)
A more complex case of a slip and fall accident may have multiple parties sharing responsibility for someone’s injuries. A classic example is a rented house.
When someone rents a property, they primarily have to report any issues or maintenance needs, ensuring they adhere to the terms of their lease. They must notify the property owner when they are aware of any unsafe conditions.
However, their responsibility typically ends there, and the owner is responsible for correcting the hazardous issue.
The outcome depends on the terms outlined in their leasing contract and who is responsible for the specific area of the property where the accident occurred. There may be some assumed responsibility by the tenant if they knew of a hazardous condition and failed to warn the injured person before the accident, for example.
Working through these concepts may require the legal knowledge of an experienced attorney who has handled such cases before.
Injuries Associated with Slip and Fall Accidents
Slip and fall accident-related injuries can vary in severity and recovery time. Unlike other causes of personal injury claims, slip and fall accidents have their own range of unique circumstances.
Brain Injuries
Brain injuries can be complex, often with symptoms that don’t present themselves immediately. Conditions like Traumatic Brain Injuries (TBI) can take days or even weeks to show signs.
The recovery timeline for concussions is typically shorter than for more severe TBIs, mainly due to the differences in the injuries. If you suspect you’ve sustained a concussion or TBI after a slip and fall, seeking medical care as soon as possible is crucial.
Broken Bones
Bones in the human body are designed to withstand pressure by bending, but excessive force can lead to painful breaks. Slip-and-fall accidents can result in multiple broken bones, particularly when a person falls down a flight of stairs or falls.
The liability for these injuries falls on the property owner if there are no warnings or safety measures in place to protect visitors.
Spinal Cord Injuries
While less common in minor slip and fall cases, more severe falls can result in spinal cord injuries, which can lead to paralysis and many months of pain. For example, falling down a flight of stairs can lead to lifelong consequences, including paralysis in severe cases.
Choosing the Right Attorney for Slip and Fall Accidents Matters
Selecting the right slip-and-fall attorney can make a difference in the result of your settlement. The CEO Lawyer Personal Injury Law Firm provides the expertise and dedication you need to protect your rights and interests.
When it comes to slip-and-fall accidents or disputes, your choice of legal representation can make or break your case.
When you work with the CEO Lawyer Personal Injury Law Firm, you can expect quality, expert legal service, and representation throughout your case with the mutual goal of reaching a settlement amount reflective of the full damages you have suffered. We are compassionate towards your plight as well as passionate about helping you get all of the care and compensation you need to make a full recovery.
Hire an Acworth Slip and Fall Accident Law Firm
Slip and fall accidents are preventable incidents that cause substantial pain and financial hardships. Whether the root cause of your injuries is poor property maintenance, insufficient lighting, or neglect of safety hazards, you have the right to seek compensation.
Our experienced legal team is ready to fight for your rights and the compensation you deserve. Reach out to a member of our team at the CEO Lawyer Personal Injury Law Firm and schedule your initial consultation today by calling (833) 254-2923 or contacting us online.