Everything you should know about slip & fall accidents

What is the leading cause of Americans visiting the emergency room? Most people would probably guess car accidents, heart problems, or contagious diseases, such as the flu. However, according to data from the National Safety Council, the actual leading cause of emergency room visits are slips-and-falls.

As one of the most common causes of accidental injury, no one is immune from the dangers of a slip-and-fall accident. For this reason, it's important to understand the risks posed by a slip-and-fall accident, what constitutes negligence in such cases, and how to protect your rights as a victim.

If you have any further questions or have already been injured in such an incident, you should schedule a conversation with Blair & Ramirez LLP, an experienced slip and fall attorney in California. For a free consultation, call us at (213) 568-4000 today.

Slip and fall accidents occur on a daily basis, sending more than 1 million people to the emergency room each year. They can occur nearly anywhere, including on the sidewalk, in a parking lot, at the grocery store, or at school or a workplace. Slip and fall accidents are the most common reason for workers' compensation claims and are the leading cause of work-related injury for people 55 and older. In addition, these kinds of accidents account for the primary reason people miss work.

Most of us have slipped and fallen at some point in our lives without suffering any lasting damage. While it's certainly true that many slip and fall accidents result in little more than a bump or a bruise, it's vital to be aware of the fact that they are also capable of causing extremely serious injuries that require immediate medical attention and have the potential to leave victims with long-term medical problems. Some of the most common of these include:

Whenever someone hits their head in a slip and fall accident, it has the potential to result in a traumatic brain injury (TBI). Even mild TBIs can leave victims with debilitating symptoms that can last for weeks or even months, potentially interfering with school or work. More serious TBIs can leave victims with long-term problems that can affect their ability to perform day-to-day tasks and communicate with others.

Sometimes, slips, trips, and falls can cause injuries to the spinal cord or the vertebrae that surround it. Because the spinal cord allows the brain to communicate with the rest of the body, any damage to it can cause extremely serious problems, including paralysis below the site of the injury.

Slip and falls always have the potential to result in broken bones, which can be extremely painful and take months to heal. In addition, older adults are at a particularly high risk of sustaining hip fractures, which can result in serious complications.

Under California law, when people are injured by the negligence of others, they are typically able to recover compensation for all of their accident-related injuries. Consequently, if your slip and fall was the result of the negligence of the person or party responsible for the maintenance and safety of the place where your accident occurred, you will likely be able to obtain money damages. Some examples of slip and fall hazards that are often the result of negligence include:

• Wet floors
• Debris in aisles or walkways
• Cracked pavement
• Uneven flooring
• Torn carpet
• Exposed electrical wiring
• Inadequate lighting
• Slippery floors

Whether negligence caused these or any other hazardous conditions is often a complex legal question, which is why it is absolutely critical that anyone involved in a slip and fall accident have their case reviewed by an experienced lawyer immediately. In the event that your slip and fall accident was caused by negligence, you will likely be able to recover any losses that you experienced as a result of your accident, including:

• Current and future medical expenses
• Lost income
• Property damage
• Lost quality of life
• Physical and emotional pain and suffering

As a victim, you should keep in mind that most cases are settled with the at-fault party's insurance company, and insurance companies actively want to settle for as little as possible. For this reason, you should be sure to retain an experienced attorney to represent you before accepting any settlement offer you receive from the other party’s insurance.

If you have been injured in a slip and fall accident in the Los Angeles area, you should speak to an attorney as soon as you can. At Blair & Ramirez LLP, we have recovered millions of dollars on behalf of our clients and are committed to helping injured victims obtain justice. We will never pressure you to settle your case for less and will gladly take your case to trial if it is in your best interest to do so. To schedule a free case evaluation with a slip and fall lawyer in California, call our office today at (213) 568-4000 or contact us online.

Created by Blair & Ramirez LLP