Slip and fall accidents are a type of personal injury claim that are classified under the more general category of premises liability. You can hire a lawyer to help you recover compensation for injuries you have suffered, physically and emotionally. Often, victims try to claim compensation themselves and receive a lower amount than they deserve. A knowledgeable attorney can appropriately file a case that will enable you to collect compensation for medical expenses and mental trauma caused by injuries related to the accident.
Property owners and insurers seldom admit responsibility for a slip and fall accident. They often try to prove that you were responsible for your own injury, either because you were not careful enough in the first place or because you were not in a place you were supposed to be. Even if it was their fault, they might try to offer a quick settlement that is worth less than you are owed for your damages.
Hiring a legal professional will help hold the responsible parties accountable and recover damages. Establishing liability is one of the first things you have to do when making a claim and it is hard to do without professional help.
Familiar places where people face slip, trip, and fall injuries
- Stairs, Elevators, and Escalators
- Parking Lots
- Sporting Events and Sports Facilities
- Sidewalks
- Decks
- Restaurants and Bars
- Hotels, Casinos, and Resorts
- Gas Stations
- Concert Halls and Performance Venues
- Shopping Malls
- Swimming Pools
- Doctor Offices and Hospitals
- Unfinished Basements
- Apartment Complexes
- Amusement Parks
An attorney works to establish how you slipped and fell, resulting in injury. They will investigate the facts of the case to work out a fair settlement that proves the property owner was negligent and that their negligence cost you monetary damages. Suppose you were involved in a pedestrian accident. It is important to thoroughly investigate the accident scene and all other details.
When investigating the case, applicable state, federal and local laws must be understood to determine whether there were any violations of law. Any violations of local ordinances and zoning, state building codes, or federal safety regulations could result in property owner liability. The attorney may get experts on board to help leverage your position and support your case for fair compensation. Many personal injury attorneys work on a contingency fee agreement, which means that they are only paid if they are successful in recovering compensation for your injuries.
Common injuries after a slip, trip, and fall accident
TBI, head, and spine Injuries – All of us know that brain injuries can be fatal or can impact the remainder of a victim’s life. Traumatic brain injury (TBI) occurs when a person falls and hits their head onto the ground or another hard surface. When that happens, the brain can move inside the skull causing damage to brain tissue. People also face skull fractures, subarachnoid hemorrhage, hematomas, and worse due to severe brain injuries. TBI patients can lose control of bodily functions, experience recurrent, uncontrolled seizures, and other brain-related issues. Spine injuries happen when a person falls onto their back or becomes twisted, causing damage to the spine, connective discs, and the nervous system.
Fractured or Broken Bones – When our body hits hard against a hard surface or object, bones can become cracked or broken. A victim may have to wait for months, or sometimes years, for normal body movement to return.
Neck and Shoulder Injuries, Torn ligaments, Injured Muscles and Tendons are other injuries that one can face in such accidents.
A workplace injury due to a fall can also lead to prolonged and expensive medical treatment. The impact of these injuries can vary from person to person. The legal strategy for every slip and fall case should be different depending on the cause of the accident, the seriousness of injuries, treatment needed for complete recovery, and the overall extent of loss.
The most common causes of slips and falls are;
- Wet and Uneven Surfaces – Cluttered floors, recently waxed or mopped floors, loose mats or floor boards, parking lot potholes, moisture collection, defective sidewalks, poorly constructed staircases, loose floorboards, etc.
- Improper Training – Many accidents happen when employees are not properly trained to handle spills and other hazards, warning signs, and prompt clean-up.
- Harsh Weather Conditions – Many people suffer from injuries caused by heavy rainfall, snowfall, etc. Wet and icy road or sidewalk conditions can also result in slip and falls.
- Nursing Home Neglect- When nursing homes do not maintain proper cleanliness, leave wet floors unattended, or do not provide proper railings and other safety measures to assist elderly people, they can lose balance and fall.
A competent attorney should be well-versed in legal strategies that property owners and the insurers are likely to use against your claim. They will have a battery of lawyers, requiring a seasoned attorney to be on your side to get you your rightful compensation.
Proper research can prove that the property owner was responsible for your loss. This evidence, as well as witnesses, can be used to confirm the facts of the accident, but obtaining this evidence can be difficult without an attorney who understands the legal process and the nature of the accident and injuries you have experienced.
A Philadelphia slip and Fall Lawyer can prove that a slip and fall occurred as a result of the property owner’s negligence. The attorney will also demonstrate how the accident caused physical and emotional injuries that need to be compensated.
Using medical records and other evidence, they will put together a solid case that proves how the fall has caused you significant financial loss.