Slip and fall accidents can occur during the holidays because of winter weather (snow, ice, rain), mishaps in stores and shopping centers, and the holiday rush. Slip and fall accidents can cause significant stress including physical and emotional pain, expensive medical bills, and lost income from taking time off from work. In the worst cases, slip and fall accidents can be fatal. If you or a loved one experienced a slip and fall accident due to someone else’s negligence, you may be able to recover damages from the physical and monetary costs. It is imperative to get the help of an experienced personal injury lawyer who can help you with the complexities of filing a personal injury claim.
Slip and falls are common accidents. Annually, eight million people are injured and emergency rooms see one million patients for related injuries. Slip and falls account for 17,000 fatalities each year and are the leading cause of death in the senior population. The Brain Injury Institute cautions that slip and fall accidents are one of the leading causes of brain injury, accounting for approximately 35% of all brain injuries. A brain injury can occur if the person who falls hits his or her head. Brain injuries can be serious and may cause paralysis, concussions, coma, and death. Less severe injuries include fractures, broken bones, lacerations, sprains, pulled muscles, and back injuries. Hip fractures can cause severe health complications following the accident, especially for older adults.
There are precautionary measures you can take to avoid slip and fall accidents:
Avoid using your cell phone while walking so that you can see where you are going,
Check the weather forecast and use appropriate footwear,
Be aware of the following materials that can cause a slip and fall accident such as ice, grease, water, uneven surfaces, carpet, stairs, curbs, wires, or even the classic banana peel,
If you or a loved one is involved in a slip and fall at no fault of your own, you may have a personal injury case. In legal terms, slip and fall is a fall that happens on someone else’s property, in which case the property owner may be liable for damages. In a personal injury slip and fall case, it should be determined that the accident was the cause of a dangerous condition that the property owner was aware of and that the person who fell could not have anticipated.
Contact Goldstein Hayes & Lina, LLC
Experienced Atlanta metro area attorneys at Goldstein Hayes & Lina, LLC can help you with your personal injury case. The guidance, expertise, and support from an attorney are critical during the stressful time following an accident. It is important to get help with the next steps. In some cases, there is a time limit during which you must submit your claim. Additionally, there are steps to take following an injury that can help your case. So that you get the help you deserve, contact us today for a free consultation.