’Tis the Season for Slip and Fall Injuries
It can happen to anyone, at any time, anywhere. Although they are usually preventable, slip and fall injuries are way too common, increasing during the colder, more inclement months. In fact, falls were the top reason for injuries treated in emergency rooms, and the top injury for all age groups in 2020.
These are accidents, and no one wants them to happen. But most are preventable. Should you slip and fall on someone’s personal or commercial property, you are entitled to compensation for the consequences of that fall if the property owner’s negligence is the cause of that fall.
What is considered negligent?
A damaged sidewalk or entry that needs repair, poor or no lighting, a spill that wasn’t cleaned up, parking lots that aren’t cleared of ice and snow, leaves that aren’t cleaned up and get wet in the rain. The list goes on.
Here are some of the injuries you can incur if you slip and fall:
Broken bones - sprains, fractures
Hip, spine, and TBI - traumatic brain injury
Emotional trauma such as fear of falling again or even going out
Depending on the severity of your slip and fall injury, it can run up an overwhelming amount of expenses. You can be out of work for up to a month. Money isn’t the only factor — these injuries can result in chronic pain, slow recovery, and mental health issues like anxiety and depression.
What can you do to avoid a slip and fall?
Stop rushing. Be in the moment, aware of your surroundings
No multitasking. Put your phone down and watch where you’re going
Go to the light. Avoid walking in poorly lit areas of parking lots and walkways
Use common sense. Avoid potholes, patches of leaves, and puddles
To prevent slipping and falling, keep your eyes open for dangerous spots like rickety stairways, uneven sidewalks, neglected parking lots, loose or missing handrails, and accumulation of rain, snow and ice.
That said, you can take all the precautions possible and still have an accident resulting in a slip and fall injury. If you do slip and fall, make sure you’re okay before you move or get up. If you’re dizzy or something hurts, stay on the ground. Call for help, out loud and on the phone, and get medical treatment if necessary.
If there were any witnesses who saw you fall make sure you get their contact information and take pictures of the scene so you have proof of the negligence that caused the accident.
Proving that the owner is at fault and should provide compensation, or Premise Liability, is a tricky area of law. You need as much documentation as possible to prove that you have a case. It’s difficult to figure out if the property damage that caused your fall is new damage, or has been left that way for a while. Even if you have health insurance it won’t necessarily cover everything. You will need time off of work, incur medical expenses, and possibly deal with prolonged pain and suffering.
Our focus is to gather enough information to clearly establish a viable premises liability claim. Building codes, sanitary regulations, workplace safety codes, and witness testimony are just a few of the resources we use at Jim Brady and Associates in Walpole, Massachusetts when handling Premise Liability cases.
Attorneys Jim and Steve Brady & Associates has successfully handled hundreds of slip-and-fall and trip-and-fall injury cases. We handle the overwhelming paperwork, deal with the deadlines, and keep you informed, making sure you understand the process each step of the way.
With over 37 years of experience, Attorneys Jim and Steve Brady & Associates in Walpole, Ma will work tirelessly to get you the rightful compensation you deserve for lost wages, medical bills, and any other type of relief to which you are entitled.
If you or a loved one suffer a slip and fall injury in Massachusetts, we are committed to giving you the support you need, and obtaining for you a full measure of justice.
