Although slip and fall accidents are not typically thought of as a devastating event, they often result in serious injuries that can affect the rest of your life and may require representation by an experienced attorney. Every year thousands of these accidents take place in the U.S. An unseen crack or puddle of moisture can leave you crippled for the rest of your life. The term “premises liability” refers to the property or land owners being held responsible for injuries sustained by people present on that property or land. What complicates these claims is determining if the conditions where the accident took place were actually dangerous.
Victims of slip and fall accidents should consult a skilled personal injury attorney. Generally, there are 4 types of slip and fall accidents:
- Slip and fall resulting from failure of the shoe soundly meeting the surface
- Stump and fall where some kind of ground obstruction causes the accident
- Trip and fall resulting from an object in the pathway
- Step and fall from a hole or where the surface gives way
Typically, both the premises owner and the injured party can be held to various percentages of responsibility for the accident. Property owners are responsible for maintaining a safe environment. Then again, individuals need to understand that objects may fall onto the path or spill onto its surface.
If possible, a report should be completed at the scene of the accident
at the time it takes place. Important information to include in the report
are witnesses, the cause of the accident, and any other info relating to
the conditions of the environment. Most businesses mandate that a report
be taken at the time of such an incident. Photographs should be taken of
the scene if possible. Anyone who sustains an injury as a result of a slip
and fall should see a doctor immediately to document the details and severity
of the injury as this will help to validate your lawsuit claim. The next
step is to consult an experienced slip and fall accident attorney to get
the legal guidance you need.
