Slip and fall injuries are, unfortunately, very common. People are strangely and naturally used to slip and fall accidents. When someone slips on a puddle of water and falls, it may seem funny.
In actuality, the consequences could be dire, especially if it happens to you. You may slip and fall onto the floor, the stairs, or upon a jagged object. You may even land awkwardly on your hands and legs, contributing to a long-term injury.
Slip and falls are serious, not laughing matters. If you have been recently injured in a slip and fall accident, you may have an array of questions that need to be answered. With that said, what follows are the most frequently asked questions about slip and fall injuries.
Where Do Most Slip and Fall Injuries Take Place?
Slip and fall accidents can happen virtually anywhere. From sidewalks to parking lots, playgrounds, and shopping malls, unsafe property conditions can lead to many consequences.
Many people make the mistake of believing that the accident was their fault when, in reality, it is someone else’s. Landlords, business owners, and homeowners have a legal obligation to maintain the condition of their property at all times, something called premises liability.
What Are the Common Causes for Slip and Falls?
There are a wide variety of different slip and fall injuries, such as the following:
- Pavement defects
- Ice and snow accumulation
- Worn, raised, or torn carpeting
- Improper lighting
- Damaged handrails
- Depressions and holes in the ground
- Spilled food and drinks
- Exposed wires and electrical cords
As you can see, there are many causes of slip and fall injuries, and often, you are at fault for your injury.
What Should I Do After My Accident?
Knowing what to do after a slip and fall injury is critical to the success of your claim. A general rule of thumb is to follow these procedures after a slip and fall accident:
- Call 911.
- If you’re severely injured, don’t move until the ambulance arrives.
- Receive all of the medical care that is prescribed and recommended to you.
- Contact a personal injury attorney
- Together, contact the party responsible for your injuries.
Following these steps is crucial and time-sensitive. The quicker you file your claim, the quicker you’ll receive your fair compensation.
How Much Is My Case Worth?
There is both an easy and difficult answer to this question. The easy answer is to contact our law firm for an initial consultation. Our legal experts can calculate the potential worth of your case.
The difficult answer is that the value of your case is constantly changing. Depending on the severity of your injuries and your associated expenses, the value of your case can fluctuate.
For example, your injuries may require extensive medical care and rehabilitation. Pain and suffering may also be added to your case’s worth. Lastly, there may be long-term or permanent injuries.
While it’s natural to want to know the value of your case, there really isn’t a definite answer.
Should I Sue a Family Member or Friend?
Filing a lawsuit against a family member or friend is never easy. It can ruin a relationship or damage it beyond repair. However, there is a misconception that those filing a personal injury claim have to name their relative or friend as the defendant.
The truth is that you’re not suing your family member or friend, but rather you’re suing their insurance company. All property owners are required to have some sort of insurance to protect themselves from suit.
Just like in a car accident claim, your lawsuit will be directed towards an insurance company.
I Fell in a Rental Property. Who’s Responsible?
This is a great question with a lot of different answers. Let’s say that you recently visited a relative and fell on their steps. The neighbor could be held liable based on the terms of their lease agreement.
For example, if the lease mandated the renter to maintain the steps (such as sweeping them), then the renter would be liable only if their lack of duty directly contributed to your injury. The renter will not be held liable if you fell because the stairs were simply unsafe.
That would be up to the property owner. Beyond the lease, the property owner could be held liable if you fell on a rental property. Though, in some cases, a third-party could be held responsible.
For example, if a snow removal service failed to live up to their end of an agreement and caused your accident, they’re at fault. It’s best to contact a personal injury attorney to receive a definite answer based on your circumstance.
Who Can I Sue If I Fell on a Sidewalk?
Municipalities are legally required for maintaining public property. Technically, if you slip and fall on public property, you can file a claim against the city. There are several essential deadlines and requirements of notice you must be aware of before filing a claim.
What Is Defined as Negligence?
Negligence is defined as willful ignorance that leads to an injury in slip and fall accidents. For example, if restaurant staff mops a floor and doesn’t put out a wet floor sign, they are negligent and can be found liable if someone slips and injures themselves.
While they probably didn’t forget on purpose, they should have known to put a wet floor sign down. In some cases, a party can also be held liable if they “should have known” the dangerous conditions on their property.
For example, a property owner can still be sued if a random accident happens on their property. The plaintiff can state that the property owner should have conducted a yearly inspection of their property and noticed dangerous conditions.
Give Us a Call Today!
Have you been recently involved in a slip and fall injury? If so, give us a call today at (864) 388-9100 to speak to a member of our legal team.
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