Slip and Fall Lawyer
Property owners, including private homeowners, commercial landlords, and business owners, are obligated to take reasonable steps to prevent slip and fall accidents on their premises. Whether it’s a workplace, restaurant, swimming pool, residential apartment, or industrial setting, there is a universal responsibility to ensure the safety of visitors. However, slip and fall injuries have recently increased in the United States due to landowners neglecting safety measures.
Most premises liability cases are complex, making it challenging for victims to represent themselves effectively. If you have been injured in a slip and fall accident which could have been prevented with adequate safety precautions, hire a skilled slip and fall attorney at our law firm.
Lawyers at the Injury Lawyer Team are knowledgeable in personal injury law and will ensure you receive a fair settlement for your injuries. Schedule a free consultation today.
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Nationwide Statistics Related to Slip and Fall Accidents
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reports that falls lead to over 800,000 hospitalizations annually.
In 2021, the CDC found that falls at home or work resulted in 44,686 fatalities.
According to the National Floor Safety Institute (NFSI), falls account for over 8 million emergency room visits, making up 21.3% of these visits. Additionally, slips and falls cause over 1 million visits or 12% of total fall-related incidents.
Slip and fall incidents represent the main cause of missed work.
The CDC estimates the average cost of a slip and fall accident to range from $30,000 to $40,000.
Approximately one-third of slip and fall victims are aged 65 or older. Falls are a leading cause of death and the most common cause of nonfatal, trauma-related hospital admissions within this age group.
Slip and fall incidents are a leading cause of workers’ compensation claims and workplace injuries among individuals aged 55 and above.
According to the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC), floors and flooring materials contribute directly to over 2 million fall-related injuries each year.
Slip and fall accidents, second only to motor vehicle accidents, account for 15% of all accidental deaths in the U.S.
What is a Slip and Fall Accident?
A slip and fall accident, also known as a trip and fall or premises liability incident, occurs when a person sustains injury or death due to a hazardous situation on someone else’s property. This dangerous condition may be unknown, concealed, unavoidable, or excessively risky. Slip and fall accidents can occur because of wet floors, uneven or damaged flooring, poor lighting, or obstacles on walkways.
When a slip and fall accident occurs due to the negligence of the property owner, the injured person may have a valid slip and fall case. A skilled lawyer can help evaluate the circumstances of the accident, gather evidence, and represent the injured party in negotiations or court.
The lawyer will work to prove the property owner’s liability and seek compensation for medical bills, lost wages, and other damages. If you have been involved in a slip and fall accident, consult an experienced slip and fall lawyer.
Why Do Slip and Fall Accidents Happen?
Slip and fall accidents often happen due to preventable hazards on properties. Property owners are responsible for maintaining safe conditions for visitors and can be liable for injuries caused by negligence.
Common causes of slip and fall incidents include:
- Neglecting property maintenance, such as leaving walkways cluttered or failing to fix uneven flooring.
- Lack of handrails in required areas for stability.
- Loose carpets or rugs that can cause tripping hazards.
- Obstructions not removed in walkways.
- Puddles from leaks or spills left uncleaned.
- Ignoring reported safety hazards on the property.
A slip and fall lawyer can help those injured due to these issues seek compensation for their injuries and damages. It’s important to consult an experienced attorney to assess the slip and fall case and hold negligent parties accountable.
Where Slip and Fall Accidents are Most Likely to Occur?
Slip and fall accidents can happen anywhere, but they tend to occur more frequently in slippery, obstructed, and dimly lit settings. Being aware of these high-risk areas can help you take precautions and protect yourself from injury. If you experience an accident, a slip and fall lawyer can assist you in seeking compensation.
Here are common areas where slip and fall accidents are most likely to occur:
- Retail Stores: Wet floors, cluttered aisles, or uneven surfaces can lead to falls.
- Restaurants: Spills or dropped items on the floor can create hazards.
- Office Buildings: Slippery floors, loose carpeting, or cluttered walkways can cause accidents.
- Hotels: Wet bathroom floors, poorly maintained stairways, or loose rugs can lead to falls.
- Parking Lots: Potholes, poor lighting, and uneven surfaces can increase the risk of falling.
- Apartment Complexes: Uneven sidewalks, damaged staircases, and poorly lit areas can create dangers.
- Public Transport: Wet or icy platforms and uneven steps can cause slips and falls.
What to Do After a Slip and Fall Accident?
After a slip and fall accident, gathering evidence is essential for building a strong case. Hazardous conditions are often cleaned up quickly, so prompt action is important. This is especially true for falls on wet floors in businesses or when ice is cleared away after an incident.
Here’s how to protect your legal rights and strengthen your claim with the help of a slip and fall attorney:
- Document the Scene: Take photos or videos of the accident site to preserve evidence of the hazard. If you can’t do it yourself, ask someone else for help.
- File an Incident Report: Record the details of your fall and submit a report promptly to the liability insurance company for the property. This creates a written account that supports your slip and fall claim.
- Gather Witness Information: Collect names and contact details of witnesses who can provide testimony for your case.
- Keep Records: Retain copies of all medical bills, reports, and receipts related to your slip and fall injury and treatment.
- Communicate with Medical Professionals: Inform EMS technicians and doctors about the cause of your fall. Their records can serve as valuable evidence for your case when you consult with your slip and fall attorney.
What Injuries Can Slip and Fall Victims Suffer?
Slip and fall accidents can lead to serious injuries, particularly for older adults who may have difficulty protecting themselves during a fall. Slip and fall lawyers will investigate the case thoroughly, gathering evidence such as photographs, witness testimonies, and medical records to establish liability and negligence.
Victims often experience various types of injuries, including:
- Head Injuries: Concussions, traumatic brain injuries, and closed head injuries are common, as well as brain bleeds and subdural hematomas.
- Bone Fractures: Broken bones, including fractures to the arms, wrists, hands, legs, ankles, and feet, can occur upon impact.
- Spinal and Neck Injuries: Bulging and herniated discs, spinal cord injuries, and other back and neck trauma can result from a fall.
- Knee Injuries: Tears in the ACL, MCL, or meniscus are often reported after falls.
- Shoulder Injuries: Torn rotator cuffs and other shoulder injuries may arise from slip and fall accidents.
- Nerve Damage: Falls can lead to nerve injuries that may cause lasting effects.
- Fatal Injuries: In severe cases, slip and fall accidents can lead to fatalities either from the fall itself or complications that arise afterward.
- Death: In rare cases, health complications caused by a fatal fall or slip can result in death.
What Damages Can I Seek in a Slip and Fall Accident Claim?
If a slip and fall accident occurs due to a property owner’s negligence, the injured party can seek compensation for various damages under premises liability laws. These damages are categorized into economic and non-economic damages, including:
- Current and future medical bills, including prescriptions and medical equipment.
- Rehabilitation and therapy expenses.
- Lost wages and income due to missed work during recovery.
- Loss of future earnings if the injury leads to a prolonged disability.
- Pain and suffering of the injured and their family.
- Loss of quality of life
- Loss of companionship and support
Filing a premises liability claim by the slip and fall attorney can help the injured party recover these damages, ensuring that the property owner is held accountable for their negligence.
Comparative Negligence in Slip and Fall Cases
Slip and fall cases often involve a discussion of comparative negligence, where both the property owner and the plaintiff may share some degree of fault. The property owner may be held liable for neglecting safety measures, such as failing to promptly clean up spills in a bar or not addressing hazards.
Comparative negligence allows the courts to assign a percentage of fault to each party. For example, if a plaintiff is found to be 20% at fault for texting while walking and eventually slipping, their compensation may be reduced by 20%. This means the plaintiff would receive 80% of the total damages awarded.
As long as the plaintiff is less than 51% responsible for the slip and fall accident, they remain eligible for receiving compensation. This legal concept ensures that the property owner is held accountable for their negligence while acknowledging the plaintiff’s responsibility for their actions.
Hire an Experienced Slip and Fall Lawyer from the Injury Lawyer Team
When property owners fail to ensure the safety of their premises, they may unintentionally cause harm to individuals on their property. This type of negligence can lead to serious slip and fall accidents.
If you or a loved one has been injured in a slip and fall accident on someone else’s property due to poor maintenance or hazardous conditions, you have the legal right to seek fair compensation for your slip and fall injuries and other damages.
The skilled slip and fall attorneys at the Injury Lawyer Team, sponsored by Rosenfeld Law Offices, can be your trusted allies in pursuing financial recovery. We handle all types of slip and fall accident lawsuits in Illinois, Wisconsin, Missouri, and Indiana.
Call us at (888) 424-5757 to schedule a free consultation with our experienced slip and fall lawyers. Our personal injury lawyers work on a contingency fee basis, meaning you don’t have to pay for our legal services unless they win your case.