If you slip and fall in a store, the first thing you need to do is make sure you get the medical attention you need to secure your health. However, once you are feeling better, there are a few more steps you should take.
Slips and falls are common causes of injury in the United States. The National Floor Safety Institute reports that slips cause 85% of all worker’s compensation claims. And over 60% of all nursing home residents will fall each year.
It is estimated that injuries related to falls cost the United States $13 to $14 million every year. If you have been in a slip and fall, you are not alone.
If you or a loved one has been injured and need help with their slip and fall case, our personal injury lawyers at Patterson Law Group are ready to help.
How To Improve Your Slip And Fall Case
You have to prove a few things in slip and fall cases if you want to get the most out of your case. The laws of Texas govern these.
Texas law states in a slip and fall case if the owner, lessee, or occupant of a property gives someone permission to visit their property and does not: “assure that the premises are safe for that purpose;” but does “owe to the person to whom permission is granted a greater degree of care than is owed to a trespasser on the premises, or assume responsibility or incur liability for any injury to any individual or property caused by any act of the person to whom permission is granted” they can be held liable for the injury.
To prove that the negligence of someone else was responsible for your injury, you have to prove:
- That you were injured in a fall on their property
- That an unexpected obstruction caused your fall
- That they knew about the obstruction and failed to move it
Common objects that cause slips and falls include:
- Open cupboards
- Misplaced rugs
- Ice or spilled water
- Broken stairs
- Uneven flooring
- Cords and wires
If your fall was caused by one of these things and you believe that the owner/lessee/occupant of the property had knowledge of it, you can file a complaint against them.
Speak To A Personal Injury Lawyer Now
Common Injuries From A Slip And Fall
Slip and fall cases can vary widely, from causing superficial damage to your body to resulting in internal or brain injuries. Some of the most common slip & fall injuries include:
- Head injuries. If you hit your head when you fell, you may have suffered a concussion. If the hit was especially hard, it may also result in a more serious injury and cause permanent damage.
- Spinal cord injuries. If the fall compressed or severed your spinal cord, you could have severe injury to your back. In extreme cases, this type of injury leads to paralysis.
- Broken bones. Broken bones are especially common in older adults with the more fragile bone structure, but they could affect anyone who falls, especially on a hard surface.
- Tissue injuries. When you fall, your body will naturally twist in unnatural ways, which could easily result in a sprain or tear in your muscle tissue. These injuries are often not as noticeable at first, which is why you should get immediate medical attention.
- Cuts and scrapes. Usually, the least serious injuries affect your skin. In most cases, they will heal quickly and need only bandaging to heal. In more serious cases, you may need stitches.
If you have suffered from any of these injuries in a slip and fall, you could claim compensation for the harm that was caused you. Get in touch with a personal injury lawyer at the Patterson Law Group, and we can help you recover, no matter what your injury.
Types Of Damages In A Texas Slip And Fall Case
The damages you can claim in a Texas slip and fall case are the same you can claim in any personal injury case. Anything that you lost as a direct result of the fall can be used in a claim. For example, you could claim:
- Pain and suffering that you and your immediate family members have gone through as a result of the fall.
- Medical expenses that you have had to pay to get the treatment you need.
- Loss of income that resulted from you having to take time off work to heal.
- Loss of earning capacity if your injury resulted in you being unable to perform your usual duties at your job.
- Emotional trauma from the pain and stress resulting from your fall.
After an accident, make sure you keep records of all these things. That way, your personal injury lawyer can help you present the evidence you need to get a good settlement.
After you have received the treatment, you need to start feeling better, get in touch with a personal injury lawyer in Fort Worth, Texas at Patterson Law Group to get your case moving.
Speak To A Personal Injury Lawyer Now
How Can A Personal Injury Lawyer Help Your Slip And Fall Case?
Slip and fall cases are often confusing. There are a lot of laws surrounding liability and negligence that can be hard to understand.
If you’ve fallen, you probably want to avoid all the extra stress of settling out a claim. That’s where a lawyer can help.
At Patterson Law Group, we do everything we can to help our clients get compensation for what they have suffered. Combined, we have earned over 80 years of great results for people like you who are struggling to recover from an injury.
If you need help after a slip and fall accident, reach out to us today for a free consultation. We are ready to help answer all your questions and get your case moving forward in the best possible way.
