While slip and fall accidents can happen anywhere as a result of clumsiness or poor judgment, many occur outside of the home due to a property owner’s negligence. When a fall leads to a serious injury, a lawyer’s services can be invaluable.
Property owners have a duty to maintain their premises to ensure the safety of visitors. When they breach that duty and it results in injuries, the injured party can file a personal injury claim.
Through such a claim, the victim can seek compensation to cover their economic losses, like medical expenses and lost wages, and non-economic losses, like pain and suffering and emotional distress.
Causes of Slips and Falls
Slipping and falling on sidewalks isn’t uncommon. Not only do pedestrians need to be on the lookout for uneven or broken concrete, but they must also contend with inclement weather. Snow and ice can accumulate quickly in the winter months, making walkways hazardous.
In several cities in Ohio, local ordinances require property owners to remove snow and ice from sidewalks abutting or adjoining their property. While governmental entities can’t be held liable if an individual slips and falls on a snow-covered sidewalk, residential property owners can.
Along with sidewalks, frequent scenes for slip and fall accidents include retail establishments, restaurants, apartment complexes, nursing homes, and workplaces. Some of the leading causes include:
- Wet or slippery floors
- Broken or uneven flooring
- Torn, bulging, or unsecured carpeting
- Underfoot obstacles
- Missing handrails
- Poor lighting
A slip and fall accident can cause a range of injuries, many of which have long-term implications. They can even be deadly. In 2022, more than 46,000 people died in falls at home and at work alone.
Common Slip and Fall Injuries
Every year, falls send more than eight million people to emergency rooms, with one million of those visits being related to slips and falls. Here are some of the most common injuries these incidents cause:
Back Injuries
When a person trips, they tend to fall backward. Their back may bear the brunt of the impact, causing fractures, cervical spine injuries, herniated discs, or soft tissue damage. A back injury could even mean paralysis, nerve damage, or other life-changing complications.
Tailbone Injuries
During a backward fall, the tailbone may strike the ground first, resulting in a bruised or fractured tailbone. Pain in the lower back and buttocks can make it difficult to sit or stand.
Head Injuries
A bump, blow, or jolt to the head during a slip and fall can also lead to a traumatic brain injury (TBI). Recent research points to slip and fall accidents as the second leading cause of TBI-associated deaths.
Broken Bones
Fractured and broken bones are frequently reported slip and fall injuries. They typically occur in the arms, wrists, hips, and legs. Fractures account for approximately 5% of injuries in fall victims, according to the National Floor Safety Institute.
Soft Tissue Injuries
Soft tissue injuries include sprains, strains, and bruises. Mild sprains often come with pain, which may become chronic and restrict mobility. A moderate or severe sprain involves a partially or completely torn ligament, which may require a brace or surgery.
When someone suffers any of these injuries in a slip and fall accident due to another party’s negligence, a slip and fall lawyer can help them file a personal injury claim.
As the victim focuses on recovering, their slip and fall attorney can collect and preserve evidence related to the accident, establish negligence, build a case based on the facts, negotiate a settlement with the at-fault party’s insurers, or take the case to court, if necessary.
Injured in a Slip and Fall?
If you’ve sustained an injury in a slip and fall accident, contact Schiff & Associates to schedule a consultation with an experienced slip and fall lawyer. We’ll evaluate your case and explain your rights and options.