While many people are unharmed by a fall and can brush it off, alarming statistics from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) estimate that one in five falls results in serious injury, with over 800,00 people hospitalized each year. The most common types of injuries sustained in this type of accident include:
- Head injuries
- Back and spinal cord injuries
- Hip fractures
- Sprains and fractures
- Shoulder injuries
- Neck injuries
- Broken bones
Property owners, managers, and government agencies have a duty of care to people legally visiting their establishments. They must take precautions to reduce the risk of harm and hazard to the public in line with health and safety regulations. When this duty of care is not fulfilled, and an accident occurs resulting in injury, the proprietors may be held liable for damages for their negligent behavior.
If you have suffered an injury after falling on someone else’s property and suspect negligence to be the cause, you will need to prove those in charge of the premises are responsible. Claims for compensation for this type of accident can become complex and is a reason why you may benefit from seeking help from a personal injury lawyer.
Causes of Fall Accidents in Public Places
The injuries you can get from falling vary from minor bruising to severe disability or even death in some cases. Victims are left in pain and often unable to work while worrying about paying for significant medical and other out of pocket expenses relating to an accident that perhaps could have been prevented with the appropriate precautions. To give you an idea of what can cause a fall, listed below are some of the more typical scenarios that could be due to negligence:
- Uneven or broken flooring with no warning signs such as cracked pavements, loose floorboards, or potholes.
- Spilled liquids that are not cleaned up in a reasonable time nor have any hazard warnings.
- Unsalted ice on walkways or in car parks.
- Inadequate or broken lighting making it difficult to see obstacles.
- Loose or no handrails on stairs.
- Water pooling on the floor due to condensation.
Falls can happen almost anywhere, at school, at work, a sidewalk, shopping mall, hospital, nursing home, etc. It is important to remember that if you sustain injuries from a fall and believe negligence to be the cause, you may be able to recover financial compensation for your injuries and other expenses relating to the accident to cover:
- Medical bills
- Rehabilitation costs
- Pain and suffering
- Loss of earnings and future earning capacity
- Loss of enjoyment of life
- Wrongful death
Texas Civil Practice and Remedies Code § 33.001 means that while you may be able to prove the owner was negligent, you may also be apportioned some of the responsibility for the accident. An example could be if the at-fault party asserts that you were distracted by using your phone at the time of the accident and not looking where you were going.
Under this law, you could receive less compensation. As you can imagine, this is a hotly contested part of many claims and it benefits you to have legal representation negotiate on your behalf, so you do not lose out on the compensation you deserve.
Recovering Compensation for Your Fall Injuries
After a fall, you may be shocked and unsure about how to proceed with a claim, or even if you do have grounds for a claim. Many reputable law firms offer a free case evaluation where you can discuss what happened and determine your legal options. If you qualify, your chosen law firm can begin proceedings for you. It can be helpful if you have evidence from the time of the accident, such as:
- Medical records documenting your injuries
- Photographs of the scene of the accident and your injuries
- Contact details of any witnesses
- Record of your expenses relating to the accident
However, if you were unable or too injured to collect this, your lawyer can obtain the information for you. It is also good to avoid posting on social media, giving statements to insurance companies, or signing any documents before consulting with your lawyer. Other ways you might benefit from legal representation include:
- Identifying the liable party
- Gathering evidence
- Preparing a detailed and persuasive case
- Proving negligence and liability of the at-fault party
- Negotiating with insurance companies on your behalf
- Reviewing any offers of compensation
- Filing your claim within deadlines imposed under the Texas statute of limitations.
- Estimating the full financial impact of the accident
- Defending your rights if you are apportioned any responsibility for the accident
Call the Office of a Slip and Fall Lawyer to Learn More Today
When you hire Loncar Lyon Jenkins, we have the experience, resources, and determination to ensure your claim is given the best of our efforts.
By helping over 7000 clients each year in personal injury cases, insurance companies know our committed and aggressive attorneys are ready to try cases and are therefore more likely to propose a full and fair settlement.
We offer a complimentary initial case review, and work on a contingency fee basis, meaning you do not have any costs unless we obtain compensation for your injuries or the wrongful death of a loved one. Find out how we can help you today by calling us at +1 214 747 0422.
