Slip and Fall Injuries
A slip and fall injury is the term for an injury which occurs when someone slips, trips or falls as a result of a dangerous or hazardous condition on someone else’s property or on a business premises.
Slip and fall injuries are most common among, but not limited to, the elderly. In 2005 15,800 people age 65 and older died from fall-related injuries, 1.8 million age 65 and older were treated in for fall-related injuries, and over 433,000 of these people were hospitalized.
The most common injury behind most personal injury lawsuits are slip-and-fall injuries. These occur usually at the negligence of another person from failing to keep an area clean and free of debris or slippery substances. The most common causes of slip-and-fall cases are snow and ice, and failure to properly clean wet floors - both completely preventable. Injuries caused by slip-and-fall accidents are often listed individually when determining compensation in a personal injury lawsuit or insurance settlement.
Slip and Fall Injuries at a Place of Business
If the slip and fall happened at a business, speak with the one of the employees. Have them make a record of the incident, and get a copy of anything prepared by the business.If any of the employees says something that suggest they were aware of the condition that caused your fall, remember their name and EXACTLY what they said. Write this information down later. Also make sure to get photographs of the spot that caused your injury.
Slip and Fall Injury at a Private Home
Slip-and-falls are very common at private residencies because there are so many things can cause it to happen, most being directly related to negligence by the home owner. Failure to remove snow and ice, leaving walkways covered with grass, moss or other slippery substances, failing to clean a spill, or failing to fix a broken step or rift in a floorboard can all be cause for a personal injury suit that has occurred within a private home. Many people opt not to pursue compensation in the instance of slip and fall injuries at a private home simply because it normally occurs in the place of a friend or family member. In most places, relation does not negate a person’s right to pursue a personal injuries lawsuit. If you wish to be compensated follow they same rules as if you fell at a business. Take photographs, seek medical attention right away and remember who saw you fall. If the homeowner has insurance, that is where your injury settlement will be coming from.
Getting Compensated for Slip and Fall Injuries
Recovering compensation for a slip and fall accident can be a daunting task. It is vital you hire an experienced attorney who knows what it takes to develop a solid case of liability. In order to be financially compensated, you must prove the at fault individual, company or party was indeed at fault for the injuries you sustained. If you contact a slip and fall injury lawyer, many of which offer free consultations, they will be able to tell you exactly what compenstation you can expect for your individual circumstances.
Slip and Fall Injury Verdict Overturned - Slip and Fall Injury Lawyers | Personal Injury News Blog October 1st, 2009 at 9:59 pm
[...] jury incorrectly awarded a woman $500,000 settlement for a slip and fall that she blamed on an evacuation from the World Trade Center in 1993, a New York appeals court [...]