A SLIP AND FALL IS A COMMON TYPE OF PERSONAL INJURY CLAIM.
Many of our clients have experienced a slip and fall at one time in their life. But many people do not understand that their fall may have been due to negligence resulting in a premises liability. We would like to cover a few common areas of slip and fall injuries so you can better understand this area of personal injury.
Slip and Fall Injury
A slip and fall injury generally occurs as a result of slips or trips on any surface that may be uneven, slippery, wet, or in an otherwise hazardous condition to a pedestrian. Thousands of people are injured yearly in slip and fall incidents in the U.S.
Some other incidents that lead to injury are:
- Cluttered floors (merchandise stacked in aisles or supplies, equipment, trash or debris left out)
- Icy walkways (snow and ice accumulating on sidewalks, steps, stairs, and parking lots)
- Damaged floors and stairs (torn carpet/mats, loose floor tiles, floorboards or broken handrails)
- Insufficient lighting (moving from a well-lit area to the dark causing temporary vision loss)
- Damaged sidewalks (walkways uneven by cracks in pavement or gaps between sidewalks)
- Ditches and potholes (holes, trenches in grounds and parking lots that are not filled or covered)
Many serious injuries arise from these types of falls. If you or your loved one is injured after a slip and fall, seek immediate medical help. Delayed medical treatment could be used by a property owner to argue that the injury occurred elsewhere or at another time or was not significant enough to warrant immediate medical care.
It is also important to document the facts and circumstances surrounding the fall. Many businesses require that a report be filled out immediately after a slip and fall. But even if you are not asked to file a report, information you are able to provide in a slip and fall case can be helpful for insurance and legal purposes. The information should include:
- Date and time of the accident
- A description of the circumstances, such as the presence or grease or water on the floor and the absence of warning signs
- Witnesses present and their statements (what they saw or heard)
- Photos of the scene taken as soon after the incident as possible (always do this)
- Keep your receipt from shopping that day
How to Avoid a Slip and Fall
While you might not know it, slip and falls are one of the top causes of injuries in the United States. Whether they’re caused by slippery, unmarked surfaces, defective construction, no handrails, no mats or poor lighting, a slip and fall can cause very serious injuries.
If you’re injured from a slip and fall, a Chhabra & Gibbs, P.A. premises liability attorney can help you recover compensation for your injuries. To make sure you remain safe, however, here are some tips on how to avoid a slip and fall:
- Use handrails – Handrails along stairs, other building areas and bathrooms/restrooms are there for a reason, if the lighting is poor or if you’re unfamiliar with the location, using handrails can help prevent falling down stairs.
- Follow signs – If the floor in a building is wet from recently being mopped or cleaned, there are supposed to be signs posted on both sides of the hazard, make sure you stay away from slick spots of tile and other hard surfaces by reading and following signs.
- Be aware of changing walkways – Cement walkways outside of building can crack and become uneven over time, so it’s important to be aware of changes in the pitch or angle of the walkways around businesses.
Slip and falls can result in serious brain injuries, spinal cord injuries, and broken bones. In addition to those physical injuries, they can cost thousands in medical bills, and you could even be unable to work for an extended period of time while recovering from a slip and fall injury.
Premises liability lawyers are trained to handle slip and fall cases and have the knowledge and expertise to win you full compensation. A premises liability lawyer can prove that the condition that the owner knew or should have known about led to your injury. Thus, the owner is liable for your damages because of his lack of warning, or lack of action to fix the condition. Consultations with a Chhabra & Gibbs, P.A. premises liability lawyer is free and will help you determine if your case is valid.
If you or a loved one has received a slip and fall personal injury, contact the Mississippi Attorneys at Chhabra & Gibbs, P.A. by calling 601-948-8005 or by going to our website and filling out the contact form or live chat. There is no fee to discuss your case.
