Slip and fall accidents are not as rare as you might think! According to the National Security Council, more than 8 million people were treated in emergency rooms for slip and fall-related injuries in 2019. In order to be safe and avoid these types of accidents, we have gone in-depth about everything you need to know about slip and fall accidents and injuries associated.
Common Causes of Slip and Fall Accidents
Whether you are on the clock at your workplace or grocery shopping, hazards can come about and cause you to have a slip and fall accident that can lead to injuries. Not all these hazards have warning signs, so it is important to keep your eyes peeled!
Causes of Slip and Falls:
- Wet or greasy flooring
- Uneven flooring
- Loose carpeting, mats, or flooring
- No handrails or loose handrails
- Sloping steps
- Missing tiles or bricks
- Clutter
Common Injuries of Slip and Fall Accidents
Each slip and fall accident is different but the outcome is always the same, INJURIES! These kinds of injuries always require medical visits in order to treat and recover quickly. Waiting to treat will only cause more pain and intensify those affected areas.
Injuries Caused by Slip and Falls:
- Back and spinal injuries
- Broken hip(s) and pelvis
- Broken arm(s) and leg(s)
- Torn ligaments and tendons
- Head injuries
- Neck injuries
These injuries should never get left untreated and ignored, they can make your life harder to live.
What to do After a Slip and Fall
Making the connection between your slip and fall accident and the hazard is so important in any slip and fall injury case! Knowing exactly what you need in order to prove your case is half the battle. Reporting the incident immediately is the most important step.
If you fall in a grocery store, you need to file an incident report with the manager to document everything! If you had slipped on unmarked water on the floor, take pictures! Take as many photos of the scene as possible to prove the grocery story is negligent.
If the store has video surveillance, you can also use that as evidence. Take down the information of the fellow shoppers that witnessed your slip and fall, they can also be used when trying to prove your case! Always seek medical attention after a slip and fall.
Getting checked out by a physician will do 1 of two things for you:
- Making sure there are no severe injuries that need to be treated.
- Document all injuries caused by the fall and start your treatment immediately.
You must avoid prolonged conversations with managers and/or insurance agents about the incident. You always want to speak with an attorney beforehand. In slip and fall cases, establishing fault always requires an investigation. Avoid assigning or accepting blame for the incident until the case has been investigated! Following this, avoid signing any documentation from the property owner or the insurance company.
But do not forget, the evidence is only part of the puzzle to get compensated for your slip and fall case. The other piece comes in when you hire one of our slip and fall attorneys!