Slip and fall accidents happen when someone falls down due to a dangerous hazard that exists in the environment. One of the most common examples of a slip and fall is when someone falls on a slippery surface because a store or business failed to clean up the mess or put up warning signage. Slip and fall accidents can cause severe injuries that can negatively impact someone’s life for the short or long term. Victims may experience pain and suffering, lost wages, substantial medical bills, and even fatality. What’s unfortunate is that many slip and fall accident victims may not be given the compensation they deserve based on the injuries incurred. As a slip and fall lawyer has seen too many times, innocent people can suddenly be dealing with devastating side effects due to an injury accident that was not their fault.
Slip and Fall Injuries
A slip and fall accident can harm the body in several ways. The physical damage from the fall will vary based on the individual, their health status, the factors of the fall, where it happened, and more. As someone begins to fall, their body may flood with adrenaline. This puts them in a fight or flight state of being, causing an immediate stress response. Symptoms like a pounding heart, faster breathing, sweating, and the tensing of muscles can occur. The purpose of this response is to make you more alert to what is happening around you. If your body is able to respond fast enough, you may tense, then reach out and try to catch your fall. But attempting to catch yourself can lead to additional injuries of the hands, arms, or shoulders. Injuries that are often associated with slip and fall accidents are listed as follows:
- Hip fractures
- Sprained ankles or wrists
- Traumatic brain injuries
- Spinal cord injuries
- Cuts and bruising
- Dislocated shoulder
- Extremity injuries
How To Obtain Compensation
If it was the negligence of a property owner that led to your fall, you could receive compensation for your medical bills, prescription medications, physical therapy, medical equipment, rehabilitation costs, lost income, property damage, disabilities, and pain and suffering. As our friends at Cohen & Cohen would agree with, it is worth getting a consultation from a legal team who is familiar with handling personal injury cases, such as slip and fall accidents. Lawyers are legal professionals who understand the law and can come to the aid of the victims while pursuing fair compensation. All in all, the more the general public is aware of their rights to compensation in the event of an injury accident, the more people can get the financial support they deserve. When a property owner or other party fails in their duty to maintain a safe environment, then they can be liable for how people have suffered. Anyone who was wrongfully injured due to the negligence or recklessness of another is encouraged to speak with a legal team as soon as possible for further guidance.