It is estimated that over one million Americans visit the emergency room each year for slip and fall injuries. These types of injuries can be extremely serious – and for some people, fatal. When the victim is a young child or elderly individual, the injuries can be so severe that they may affect their quality of life.
Slip and fall accidents can occur for a variety of reasons, but most can be prevented if the hazardous condition was taken care of by the property owner.
Texas law requires property owners to maintain a safe environment for their visitors – whether it is a residential property or commercial one. While the laws vary depending on the type of environment you are injured in and the level of guest you were, if you are injured because of unsafe premises, you could have a personal injury case worth pursuing.
Why Slip and Fall Injuries Happen
A slip and fall injury can happen to anyone – whether it is a slippery surface or just tripping over your own feet. But, most of these falls can lead to serious injury and occur because of dangerous conditions that are easily prevented.
Just some of the top causes for slip and fall injuries include:
- Slippery or wet floors
- Uneven tiles
- Raise or cracked sidewalks
- Broken railings
- A change in elevation
- Uneven or narrow stairs
- Inadequate lighting
- Unsecured carpeting
- Abrupt edge changes
- Floor surface changes
- Appliance cords
What To Do After A Slip And Fall Accident
Document The Incident
As soon as you fall, try to make a mental notation of the entire schedule of events that led up to the fall to prove that it was not just a clumsy mistake. If you have a cell phone and are still able to snap a few photos while waiting for help, these could help your case tremendously. If anyone had seen you fall, ask them if they could make a statement that may be used if the incident goes to trial.
Call An Ambulance
If you have gotten hurt, the main thing will be getting help from a medical facility. You will need someone to call 911 so that you can get looked at as soon as possible. Make sure that the ambulance crew knows that the incident may be questioned in the future by a lawyer so that they are prepared to make necessary paperwork that can be used at a later time.
Call An Attorney
If you go to the hospital or doctor because of an accident that you believe could have been prevented, you will want to call an attorney, such as Joe I. Zaid & Associates, to represent you if you plan on trying to get the store to pay for your medical bills. Most likely the store will try to say that the incident was your fault, so you will want to make sure that you give your documentation to a lawyer for review.
If You End Up Going To Trial
If your claim for medical expenses prompts the store to deny any wrongdoing, you may need to have the situation resolved in a courtroom. Sometimes this will end up needing a trial with jurors to determine who is at fault. If you end up going to trial, make sure that you dress nicely and answer all questions to the best of your ability. Do not speak unless you are asked a question. It is best to have a neat, business-like appearance and demeanor when you go to court, as this will make you look favorable to those that will be determining the outcome.
Determining Liability in a Slip and Fall Case
When you suffer from a slip and fall injury, you need to determine who was responsible for your fall. If there was a hazardous condition that caused you to fall and the owner was in control of fixing that condition, then they would be held liable for your injuries.
In order to fully determine who you can name in your suit, your personal injury attorney must:
- Determine if the property owner had any obligation to you as a visitor. Public places that encourage customers to visit their location owe those customers a safe environment. If there is a hazardous condition, they are required by Florida law to notify patrons of that condition and they must fix those hazards within a reasonable amount of time.
- Did the owner breach their duty? You must also determine if the property owner breached their duty to provide you with a safe environment. For example, if the spill just happened and the owner was not aware of it, they may not have breached their duty. But, if they knew about a hazardous condition and left it, then they are responsible.
- The extent of your injuries matter too. If you were injured enough to encounter losses, then the property owner is responsible for those financial losses – including medical bills, lost wages and more.
Get Assistance for Your Slip and Fall Injury Today
If you or a loved one was injured in a slip and fall accident, contact our La Porte personal injury attorneys today. We offer free, no obligation consultations and can discuss the details of your case with you now.