Introduction
Imagine you walk into a supermarket with your grandmother for a normal leisurely session of the afternoon shopping. The floor has been mopped recently and shows some signs of soap and other detergents. However, there is no warning sign to intimate consumers about avoiding the section. Your grandmother who is above 80, and cannot maintain her balance as someone younger can, slips, and suffers a broken hip.
While you may be thinking that the chances of something like this happening with you or your family members are quite negligible, data suggests the opposite.
According to the CDC, more than One Million Americans are injured in slip and fall accidents every year. What is more shocking is the statistic that on average such an accident is likely to cost the victim and their families between $30,000 to $40,000 USD!
In this article, we are going to help people who have suffered from slip and fall cases understand how they can claim compensation. We speak to leading legal experts and ask them their views on the matter.
Slip and Fall Accidents: What are they?
According to the best personal injury attorney Parkland, FL, slip and fall accidents fall under the Premises Liability framework. Under this, it is the responsibility of the owners or occupants of establishments, spaces, shops, parking spaces, etc, to ensure that the property is safe for human use.
In other words, maintaining the structure, ensuring that it is not dangerous, and giving prior intimation to people in the event that some work is going on is fixed upon by the occupant or owner of the said property space.
People who suffer from an injury arising out of slip and fall accidents can seek compensation under personal injury. Cases of this sort can also be filed against the government, which maintains its own offices, roads, parks, and other public spaces.
Some Injuries you may suffer from because of Slip and Fall Accidents?
According to medical experts, the following are the most common injuries, hospitals, and medical establishments have seen from slip and fall accidents-
- Broken Bones-
Data shows that more than 5% of all slip and fall victims suffer from broken bones. The chances of someone breaking their bones rise in elderly people, especially those above the age of 65. However, that does not mean that youngsters or even kids do not suffer from broken bones as a result of a slip and fall accident.
- Brain Injury-
As compared to other parts of our body, the brain is much more sensitive and susceptible to damage. Doctors point out that if you take a tumble in the wrong way, you might suffer from severe brain injuries. This might include hemorrhages, internal bleeding, nerve damage, etc. This is why they suggest that immediate medical attention is required in such cases.
- Hip Fractures-
Like the first example, we opened with, broken hips are very common in a slip and fall accident. As compared to other parts of the body like hands and feet, broken hips are much more serious and can result in complications in other bodily functions. This is why hip issues, if any need to be resolved right away with expert medical attention.
How should you Prepare in the Event of a Slip and Fall Accident?
The first thing you need to do is to be aware of your rights in the case. If you have suffered a slip and fall injury because of someone else’s negligence or carelessness, you are entitled to compensation. You can file a personal injury lawsuit and get justice.
It is important that you hire a trained and expert personal injury attorney, that can help you with the case. This includes filing the paperwork, coordinating with the insurance companies, collecting the evidence, and presenting the same in a court of law if your case goes to trial.
The lawyer can also help you negotiate if the guilty party is looking for a settlement offer rather than going to trial. Do not try to go public with your case, and stay off social media at all costs.
The Final Word
In this article, we have tried to point out some important bits relating to slip and fall accidents. By taking help from what legal experts stated in the article, you can be in a much better position to deal with slip and fall accidents whenever they arise in the future.
