Absolutely anyone can be a victim of a slip and fall accident, regardless of age, agility, or athletic ability. Slip and fall accidents commonly take place in the home, on business properties, event venues, and public transportation stations. Furthermore, these accidents could cause severe physical trauma and be the fault of another liable party.
Here is some information about common slip and fall injuries, as well as typical slip and fall causes and how to handle this situation if you are injured.
Slip and Fall Injuries
Some of the most common personal injury lawsuits that we see here in Brooklyn are because of slip and fall injuries. It’s easy to dismiss these injuries as trivial or minor, but that would be a mistake because of how damaging slips and falls can be to the human body.
When people slip and fall, they often break bones, which is painful and takes a long time to heal. These types of accidents frequently cause knee damage, especially in people who have a prior history of knee problems. Hip fractures are common, and nearly all broken hips are the result of falls.
Severe falls can result and devastating and irreversible nerve and brain damage. This is because many people hit their heads when they fall and suffer concussions. Other slip and fall injuries include shoulder dislocations, sprained ankles, herniated disks, and spinal cord injuries. These types of injuries are most common among adults over the age of 65.
Slip and Fall Causes
Many different things can cause a slip and fall accident, including tripping over an object on the floor and wet or slippery surfaces. Falls can happen due to wearing inadequate footwear, poor lighting conditions, and uneven surfaces.
Someone else may be to blame for your slip and fall injuries if the fall took place on another person’s or company’s property and it was a direct result of a recently mopped floor, parking lot pothole, spilled liquid, or ice that was not salted. People who work in the construction industry, factory workers, kitchen workers, and housekeepers are especially prone to slip and fall accidents.
What to Do If You Are Injured in a Slip and Fall Accident
If you slip, fall, and find yourself on the ground in pain, the first thing to do is to assess the severity of your injuries as best as you can. Seek medical attention as soon as possible, even if you don’t feel like your injuries are that bad at the time. You may still be in shock.
You will want to report the accident so that details about the accident are documented in writing. Important things to put in the written report are the exact location, weather conditions, and contact information of any witnesses. Take photos of where your fall took place to document any adverse conditions that may have contributed to your fall. If your fall took place on another person’s property or business, request that the owner or landlord create a written report and give you a copy for your own personal records.
Slip and fall accidents can be very emotional situations, but try to stay calm, don’t place blame, or take full responsibility for your own accident. It is best to avoid making any public statements that could later hurt your potential slip and fall case, and this is true for social media posting as well. Once you have tended to your injuries, call an experienced slip and fall lawyer for advice about what to do next.
Guidance with Slip and Fall Accident Cases
The Law Office of Jeffrey K. Kestenbaum specializes in Brooklyn slip and fall accident cases and is here to help you through your situation. Regardless of whether your fall was on an icy sidewalk, potholed street, uneven steps, wet floor, or somewhere else, we can get you the compensation you deserve due to someone else’s negligence.
To learn more about how to pursue a slip and fall accident claim, contact our office at 718-237-5586 for a free legal consultation. Remember that you only have a limited amount of time to file a slip and fall claim, so the sooner you call the better so that we can gather everything we need to build your case.
