Unintentional accidents resulted in almost 170,000 deaths in 2018, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Of those deaths, roughly 37,000 were caused by slips and falls.
Slips and falls disproportionately affect older adults and young children, but they can affect anyone of any age. Some of the injuries you can get from a slip and fall include:
- Broken bones
- Head trauma
- Spinal cord damage
- Contusions and cuts
- Paralysis
- Death
Slip and Fall Accidents Can Occur Anywhere
Slip and fall accidents can occur anywhere. They occur in nursing homes, retail settings, places of work and business, sidewalks, parks, and many more places. Anything that causes you to lose traction on the floor can cause a slip and fall accident.
However, many slip and fall accident cases are aggravated by negligence. Common causes of slips and falls include:
- Inappropriate worker footwear
- Liquid spills
- Ice, snow, or water tracked into homes or buildings
- Loose or torn carpeting
- Slippery rugs or mats
- A lack of safety gear, such as handrails in staircases
- Poor lighting
- Cluttered floors
- Poor worker training
- Defective equipment, such as ladders
- A lack of fall-prevention equipment, especially in construction work
- Damaged, uneven, or cracked surfaces
According to the National Safety Council (NSC), in 2016, about 48,000 people were injured in a slip and fall accident and needed to take time off from work to heal from those injuries. Slip and fall accidents are often seen in construction, manufacturing, wholesale trade, transportation, and government work.
The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) has labeled slips and falls as one of the “fatal four,” which are the leading causes of workplace death. Slip and fall accidents rank first, ahead of electrocution, being struck by objects, and being caught in or in between objects.
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You Might Be Eligible to Seek Compensation for a Slip and Fall Injury
Texas is an at-fault state. If you suffered injuries or damages in a slip and fall accident that was caused by someone else’s recklessness, negligence, or incompetence, you may have grounds to sue for compensation.
Before you do so, you must determine who was responsible for the accident that led to your injury. Depending on the circumstances surrounding your accident, there might be many liable parties involved in your case. For example, a construction worker might fall because a piece of equipment broke or malfunctioned. They might be able to sue both the construction site owner and the equipment manufacturer for damages.
The same applies to slips and falls that occur in restaurants, nursing homes, businesses, factories, and elsewhere. If a business owner or operator was aware of a slip and fall hazard but did not remove or address it, they may be held liable for any injuries that occur because of it.
Your lawyer may help you determine who is the liable party or parties in your case.
How to Establish Liability in a Slip and Fall Accident
If you are trying to hold a negligent party responsible for your slip and fall accident and subsequent damages, you need to build an argument that demonstrates how their negligence led to your injuries. Your lawyer may help you by proving the following points:
- The at-fault party knew about or should have known about slip and fall hazards on their premises and had a responsibility of addressing them to keep guests safe
- They failed to address those hazards
- The slip and fall hazards directly or indirectly caused your slip and fall accident
- You suffered losses as a result of the slip and fall
If you can prove the above, you may be able to seek compensation for your damages from the at-fault party. Damages may include:
- Medical treatment expenses
- Pain and suffering
- Lost income
- Loss of consortium
- Reduced earning capacity
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Contact Underwood Law Office Today for Legal Guidance
If you suffered injuries in a slip and fall accident. We can help you by:
- Identifying the causes of your accident
- Identifying the parties responsible for your accident
- Gathering proof of your injuries and other accident-related damages
- Explaining the medical, legal, and insurance laws relevant to your case
- Filing a claim or lawsuit for damages
- Negotiating with insurance adjusters on your behalf to reach a settlement
It can be difficult to build a personal injury case, so contact Underwood Law Office today if you would like legal assistance with your case. Our team can be reached at (972) 535-6377. Call today for a free case evaluation.
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