Slip and Fall Injuries
A “slip and fall” occurs when a person hurts themselves on another person’s property through a slip or a trip. This type of accident typically takes place on someone’s property or premises,which means that the property owner could be held liable for medical expenses related to any slip and fall injuries. You can experience a slip and trip due to many reasons. Some indoor reasons include slight floor elevation changes,slick floors,sidewalk cracks,or patches in worn-out carpeting. Some outdoor causes of slips and trips include rain,hard-to-spot holes in the ground,icy surfaces or rocks in a person’s path.
Preventing Slip and Falls
You should regularly change out light bulbs to keep areas well-lit. If you manage workers,you should recommend that they always come to wear work-appropriate,comfortable shoes. You or others should clean up spills as quickly as possible or place “wet floor” warning signage near the spill if it must be addressed at a later time. You should secure and cover wires,cables,and cords in walkways as they are an easy tripping hazard. Business owners should replace worn-out carpeting with new flooring. Generally,you should maintain situational awareness and walk comfortably during any of your business or personal tasks.
What Follows a Slip and Fall
What you choose to do after a slip and fall accident can be pivotal towards both your legal compensation and your physical and mental recovery. Your request for medical attention is the most effective way to get necessary injury treatment and to construct your legal case. The medical examiner can establish the time of the injury and administered medical care. Your hospital visit can also demonstrate the severity of your conditions. You should scan the scene of the injury and take detailed photographs of your surrounding area following the slip or trip. It’s also important to assemble any witnesses of the accident,to make an official report,and to reach out to a lawyer as soon as possible.
Premises Liability
This liability involves premises with defective or unsafe conditions that possibly caused the slip or trip incident. You generally have to prove that the property owner negligently maintained their property,which created the conditions that led to your slip and fall event. Additionally,you have to prove that the property owner knew or reasonably inferred that their property was unsafe and still failed to correct these unsafe factors. These are all things a good personal injury attorney will do when they take your case.