The Main Causes And Outcomes Of Slip And Fall Injuries
Michael Babboni
Premises Liability
While most people think of automobile accidents when they think of injuries that are caused by an accident, the fact is that there are a lot of other causes out there. One of the biggest is slip and fall injuries. In fact, falls are still the leading cause of personal injury in the state of Florida and in the rest of the nation as well – falls send about 1 million people to medical professionals every year. These falls can be quite severe at times, causing paralysis, broken bones, head injuries, and even death. There's also no limit to just where slip and fall injuries can occur – from nursing homes to job sites to stores, these accidents happen everywhere. While there is no way to prevent them completely, knowing some of the main causes of a fall is important. Here are the most common causes of these types of injuries in Florida.
- Dangerous Walking Conditions – This makes up more than half of all slip and fall accident causes in the country. Slick surfaces, uneven surfaces, and even walking areas that have clutter left on them like extension cords or debris are all potential causes of a fall, and are issues that are far too common.
- Workplace Hazards – From cables to cords to loose walk areas and beyond, workplace hazards are very common causes of falls. Workers who are injured in a fall of this nature can usually seek financial compensation, though there occasions where worker's comp is the only real option. A good attorney can explain more about this.
- Weather – While Florida isn't really known for snow and ice, the water and wind here can certainly create an issue that makes it dangerous to walk about safely. Slick surfaces, hidden potholes, and other similar issues are all potential risks associated with the rain. Weather related issues frequently lead to accidents on properties around the state.
While these are the three big causes of slip and fall accidents, it's also important to remember that no matter the cause there are many potential outcomes associated with these types of injuries. Here are some things to understand.
- Seeking compensation is possible if it can be proven that negligence was an issue. This means showing that a property owner was aware of a risk and did nothing to correct it. For example, you'll have to show that an owner was aware of a faulty handrail and chose not to correct it or post warnings about it. If they didn't know there was an issue, they can't be held responsible.
- Slip and fall injury cases are among the most difficult to litigate because of the simple fact that there are so many cases of fraud. Courts are more skeptical, and it can be difficult to prove that your situation isn't a case of fraud. Additionally, proving that a property owner was negligent is very difficult, and use of everything from witness testimony to private investigators could be needed in order to do so.
- After an injury, you need to immediately seek medical attention to get your injuries cared for. This not only helps you start healing, but provides the first bit of paper evidence concerning your injury and its severity.
- Next, contact an attorney. This allows you to quickly determine what your rights and options are and how to go about seeking compensation – if you can.
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