Slip and Fall Accidents: What To Do If You Are Injured

Have you ever slipped and fallen? It can happen to anybody, anywhere, and at any moment. Whether you are walking on a wet floor or a slippery sidewalk, a slip-and-fall accident can cause serious injuries. In fact, slips and falls are the leading cause of workers’ compensation claims and are the leading cause of occupational injury for people aged 55 years and older.

If you have been injured in a slip and fall accident, you may be entitled to compensation through a slip and fall settlement. In this blog post, we will discuss everything in between what to do if you were in a slip and fall accident and how to seek a settlement.

What is a Slip and Fall Accident?

A slip-and-fall accident occurs when a person slips, trips, or falls on someone else’s property and suffers an injury as a result. Slip and fall accidents are a type of premises liability claim. They involve a property owner or manager’s duty to keep their property safe for visitors.

Slip and fall accidents can happen almost anywhere. This can be in a grocery store, a restaurant, a hotel, a shopping mall, or even a private residence. Common causes of slip and fall accidents include wet or slippery floors and uneven pavement. Other common causes are poor maintenance of stairs or walkways and loose carpeting or rugs.

Slip and fall accidents can result in many injuries, from minor scrapes and bruises. And even serious injuries such as broken bones, head injuries, and spinal cord injuries. Slip and fall incidents can be lethal in some situations.

If you have been in a slip-and-fall accident, seeking medical attention is important. Even if your injuries seem minor, have a doctor check them. Delaying medical treatment can make your injuries worse. And then make it harder to prove your case in court.

Proving liability in a slip-and-fall case can be challenging. But with the help of a professional slip-and-fall lawyer, you may be able to win a settlement. With this, you can reimburse your medical costs, lost wages, and pain and suffering.

Overall, slip and fall accidents can be dangerous and costly. But by preventing them, you can reduce your risk of injuries.

Preventing Slip and Fall Accidents

Prevention is always the best strategy when it comes to slip-and-fall accidents. Here are some pointers to help you avoid slipping and falling:

• Wear appropriate footwear: Wear shoes with a good grip on the sole, and avoid shoes with smooth soles.
• Pay attention to your surroundings: Be aware of any hazards, such as wet floors, uneven pavement, or loose carpeting.
• Use handrails: When using stairs or walking on a slippery surface, use handrails for extra support.
• Clean up spills immediately: If you spill something, clean it up immediately to prevent someone from slipping.
• Report hazards: If you notice a hazard, report it to the property owner or manager so they can take care of it.

Following these tips can reduce your risk of slip and fall accidents.

Types of Injuries Caused by Slip and Fall Accidents

Slip and fall accidents can cause a wide range of injuries, from minor bruises to serious head injuries. Here are some of the most common injuries from slip and fall accidents:

• Broken bones: Falling can cause bone fractures, especially in the wrist, arm, ankle, and hip.
• Head injuries: Falling can cause head injuries ranging from mild concussions to traumatic brain injuries.
• Sprains and strains: Falling can cause sprains and strains in muscles, tendons, and ligaments.
• Cuts and bruises: Falling can cause cuts and bruises on any body part.
• Spinal cord injuries: Falling can cause spinal cord injuries, resulting in paralysis or other serious complications.

If you have been in a slip-and-fall accident, seeking medical attention is important. Don’t take it for granted, even if your injuries seem minor.

However, it’s important to note that not all slip-and-fall accidents result in minor injuries. Some accidents can lead to serious personal injury or catastrophic injury. These can have a significant impact on a person’s life.

Personal injury refers to an individual suffering from a physical or mental injury due to someone else’s negligence. In the case of a slip and fall accident, a person can suffer from a personal injury due to the negligence of the property owner or manager.

Catastrophic injury, on the other hand, is a term used to describe injuries that result in long-term or permanent disabilities. These injuries can significantly impact a person’s ability to work, quality of life, and overall well-being.

Some examples of catastrophic injuries resulting from slip and fall accidents include spinal cord injuries, traumatic brain injuries, and broken bones. These injuries can require extensive medical treatment, ongoing care, and rehabilitation, which can be costly.

What to Do If You’re Injured in a Slip and Fall Accident

If you slip and fall and get hurt, the first thing to do is go to a doctor, even if you don’t think you’re hurt badly. Some injuries might not show up immediately, so seeking medical attention is important.

After you see a doctor, take pictures of where you fell. Make sure to take pictures of anything that might have been the reason for you to fall, like wet floors or broken pavement. Also, ask anyone who saw you fall for their contact information.

Tell the owner or manager of the place where you fell about your accident and your injuries. Make sure to get their contact information too. This will help you when you talk to a lawyer about getting money to pay for your medical bills.

If you need a lawyer to help you with your accident, you can look for a personal injury lawyer, a.k.a. slip and fail accident lawyer. They can help you get money to pay for your medical care. A personal injury lawyer can help with accidents like car accidents and slip and fall injuries.

Sometimes, people get very hurt in accidents. These are catastrophic injuries. Hiring a personal injury attorney can help with these too. 

Always watch for warning signs and be careful when walking around. So you can avoid slip and fall accidents.

How to Seek a Slip and Fall Settlement

To seek a slip and fall settlement, you must file a claim with the property owner or manager’s insurance company. The insurance company will investigate the accident and determine whether the property owner or manager was negligent in maintaining the property. 

If the insurance company determines that the property owner or manager was negligent, they may offer a settlement to cover your medical expenses and other damages.

It is important to remember that insurance companies are businesses that focus on minimizing their losses. They may offer you a low settlement amount in the hopes that you will accept it and not pursue further legal action. That’s why it’s important to consult with a slip-and-fall settlement lawyer before accepting any settlement offers.

A slip-and-fall settlement lawyer can help you negotiate with the insurance company and ensure that you receive the compensation you deserve. They can also advise you on whether to accept a settlement offer or pursue legal action.

How to Establish Negligence in a Slip and Fall Case

In order to win a slip-and-fall settlement, you must be able to prove that the property owner or manager was negligent in maintaining the property. Here’s how to prove negligence:

• Duty of care: The property owner or manager had a duty to keep the property safe for visitors.
• Breach of duty: The property owner or manager breached that duty by failing to fix a hazard or warn visitors about it.
• Causation: The slip and fall accident was caused by a violation of duty.
• Damages: The slip and fall accident caused damages such as medical expenses, lost wages, and pain and suffering.

If you can prove these four elements, you may be able to win a slip-and-fall settlement.

Conclusion

Any type of slip and fall accident can cause serious types of catastrophic injuries. And, they can be costly to treat. By following tips to prevent slip and fall accidents, you can reduce your risk of injuries. 

If you are injured in a slip and fall accident, seek medical attention right away and document the accident. 

You may be entitled to compensation through a slip-and-fall settlement, but it’s important to consult with a slip-and-fall settlement lawyer before accepting any settlement offers. 

They can assist you in navigating the legal system and obtaining the recompense you deserve.

And the good news is, you don’t need to look elsewhere. Roxell Richards is here to help you out. Roxell and her team are one of the best slip-and-fall settlement lawyers in Houston. This means they can definitely assist you no matter what your concern is. Call us today for a free consultation!