Until you have been injured in a slip and fall accident at a business or person’s property, you may not think of these accidents as being a serious accident. However, a slip and fall victim can suffer debilitating injuries such as fractures, spinal and back injuries, paralysis, and traumatic brain injury. According to the National Floor Safety Institute, slip and fall accidents account for over one million emergency visits each year. Fortunately, if you injured yourself in one of these accidents, you may be entitled to compensation for your medical bills, lost wages, and physical and emotional trauma from the business or property owner that caused your fall.
Why Slip and Fall Accidents Occur
When a business or property owner fails to maintain their property or to warn visitors of potential dangers, they can be liable when a person injures themselves in a fall. Common ways these accidents occur include:
- Wet and slippery floors. Spills and water and ice tracked in from outside can cause floors to become dangerously slippery—resulting in falls if the mess is not promptly cleaned up or a warning sign is posted. In addition, cleaned floors can become treacherous due to constant cleaning and waxing, especially in settings such as hospitals where keeping the facility clean is critical.
- Snow and ice. Snow and ice is not a huge problem in Georgia. However, when bad weather causes these conditions, business and property owners create dangerous conditions when they fail to promptly remove the snow and ice on sidewalks, driveways, parking lots, stairs, steps, and other walkways.
- Clutter and debris. Aisles in stores and buildings, and in walkways around a building can become tripping hazards when merchandise, boxes, equipment, materials, trash, or debris is left out for guests to maneuver around.
- Damaged flooring. Loose floorboard and tiles, worn, torn, and frayed carpet, cracked flooring, and uneven flooring can cause a person to trip and fall, and are a leading cause of these accidents.
- Staircases. When handrails become loose or are missing or stairs become worn or are not the proper height, guests can slip and have a dangerous fall. This can be especially dangerous when the staircases are outside and also slippery due to rain or ice or the lighting is poor.
- Inadequate lighting. Insufficient lighting in parking lots, staircases, and hallways can make it impossible for unsuspecting guests to see other dangers, like water on the floor or torn carpeting.
- Damaged sidewalks. If sidewalks or walkways have cracks or gaps between segments, a person can easily trip and take a hard fall.
- Potholes and ditches. Potholes in parking lots or driveways can be a danger to unsuspecting guests. Any opening—such as a hole, ditch, or manhole—must be covered up or warning signs posted around it.
Where Do Slip and Fall Accidents Occur?
A slip and fall accident can happen virtually anywhere—even your home—when the property is not maintained and warnings are not posted. Common places where slip and fall accidents occur include:
- Stores
- Restaurants
- Theaters and movie theaters
- Stadiums and other sports arenas
- Parks and playgrounds
- Amusement parks
- Workplaces
- Apartment complexes and other rental properties
- Private homes
- Swimming pools
- Escalators and elevators
- Nursing homes and assisted living facilities
- Parking lots and garages
Let Brauns Law Accident Injury Lawyers, PC Help You With Your Slip and Fall Case
If you were injured due to a business’ or property owner’s negligence, you could be off work for months or longer while you recover from your injuries. You could need—and be entitled to—compensation to pay your mounting medical bills and the income you are losing when you cannot work. If you suffered a debilitating injury like a traumatic brain injury or a serious spinal injury with major chronic pain, you may not be able to return to your former job.
At Brauns Law Accident Injury Lawyers, PC, we are here to guide you through the steps of making a claim with the negligent party’s insurance company and to file a lawsuit if necessary. David Brauns used to defend insurance companies, so he understands their strategies to deny, delay, and minimize claims and how to fight against them. We urge you to review our testimonials and call us toll free at 877-401-6689 to schedule a free consultation.
Related Links:
