Most people realize that a major slip-and-fall accident can result in injuries such as scrapes, bruises and broken bones. But did you know that a fall might even potentially cause brain damage which could lead to seizures and other serious conditions? If you slip and fall, you could incur associated high medical bills, loss of wages and more. In fact, according to the Centers for Disease Control & Prevention (CDC), one out of every five falls causes a serious enough injury to result in broken bones or Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI).
What Qualifies as a Slip-And-Fall Accident
California liability law covers slip-and-fall and other types of accidents caused by dangerous conditions on someone else’s property. This is known as “premises liability.” Liability is often decided by common sense. Most judges and juries determine whether the owner or occupier of the property was careful by deciding if the owner or occupier took proper steps to keep the property safe. For a property owner to be held legally responsible for injuries sustained by an individual slipping and falling, one of the following must be proven true:
- The property owner must have known about the dangerous condition and yet failed to attempt to correct it.
- The owner did not take steps to prevent injuries, as a “reasonable person” would have done.
- The property owner must have somehow created the dangerous condition which led to the accident.
What to Do after you are involved in an accident
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Check yourself.
After suffering any injury, your well-being is your first priority. Don’t just assume you are fine and move along. Try not to panic. Take time to assess whether you feel strong enough to stand. But don’t rush it or you could further injure yourself.
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Seek immediate medical attention.
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Report the accident.
Advise the manager, owner or landlord. Get the details in writing. Request a copy before you leave.
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Document everything.
Don’t wait for the trail to “go cold.” The best time to collect evidence is immediately after the incident. Collect contact information from witnesses. Take photographs of the exact location where you fell. Better to be safe than sorry; don’t just assume you’re fine. Make sure.
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Limit your conversation with employees at the location of the injury.
You are not legally required to communicate with them.) Don’t place or accept blame.
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Contact Personal Injury Attorneys.
When it comes to assessing legal action, your best course of action is to seek an expert opinion. Slip-and-Fall accidents can be complex and difficult to prove, your best chance for justice is to seek professional assistance. An experienced personal injury attorney, such as the lawyers at Moet Law Firm in Ontario, California, will manage confusing paperwork, handle deadlines and treat you like a person instead of a case number.
What if the accident occurred while you were an employee of the organization that owns the facility where you fell?
The Consumer Products Safety Commission (CPSC) reports that 85 percent of Workman’s Compensation Claims result from injuries suffered by employees who slip on slick floors or uneven surfaces. In fact, floor and flooring materials contribute directly to two million fall-injuries each year. According to the National Safety Council (NSC), the most common causes of slip-and-fall accidents result from falls suffered on:
- Doorways and other “transitional areas”
- Ramps
- Cluttered hallways
- Heavily trafficked areas
- Uneven surfaces
- Areas prone to wetness or spills
If you were on the job when you were injured, your attorney will help you decide which of lawsuit to file. In many cases, this may result in filing a Worker’s Compensation Claim against your employer. However, don’t make that judgment yourself. Contact your attorney as soon as possible for expert legal advice.
About Moet Law in Ontario, California
At Moet Law, our team of experienced attorneys is ready to advise slip-and-fall accident victims about the best way to seek compensation for damages and trauma. Call today for your free case evaluation (866) 424-0789.
