How Slip and Fall Lawyers Can Prove Your Case

If you’ve recently experienced a slip and fall at work or place of business, you may not know what to do next. First, you should know that slip-and-fall injuries are very common. In fact, over 20% of hospital emergency room visits — 1 in 5 — are due to falls, according to the National Floor Safety Institute. Second, you may be due compensation to cover your medical bills, lost days of work, emotional distress, and pain and suffering. Slip and fall lawyers can prove your case, and a business’s insurance policy will pay the settlement money directly to you and your family.

Property owners and businesses must keep their premises safe for people. This means, for example, that stairs must have railings, flooring must be free of defects, pools must be fenced in, and lighting must be adequate. So, what happens someone owns a dangerous property and fails to tell their guests about potential hazards? That person might be liable for covering any injuries that result from a slip and fall accident.

How Will Slip and Fall Lawyers Prove My Case?

Slip and fall lawyers run their case investigations a little differently all across the country. Therefore, you should ask any lawyer you consult to talk you through their specific process before retaining legal services.

Here are some activities they may engage in to prove your claim:

• Examine and photograph the scene of your accident
• Talk to all witnesses present on the day of your fall
• Hire a private investigator
• Request any video surveillance footage from the business or property owner
• Consult with engineers, contractors, or other relevant experts
• Consult with your doctor or other medical specialists
• Conduct a public records search regarding the property’s history
• Look for evidence that the property owner knew about the defect or hazard

If you have any notes or citations from the day of your slip and fall accident, your lawyer will also want to review those materials.

Injuries from Accidental Falls are Common… and Costly

Again, if you’ve been injured in a fall, you are not alone. According to the National Floor Safety Institute, falls account for more than 8 million hospital emergency room visits annually. Fractures are the most serious injury, which occur in 5% of all fall accidents. Of all fractures from falls, broken hip bones are the most serious of all. Hip fractures also lead to the greatest health problems and number of deaths.

According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, 22% of slip and fall incidents resulted in more than 31 days away from work. The elderly population is particularly susceptible to falls. According to The National Institute on Aging, 30% of people aged 65 and older sustain a fall each year. Among those falls, 10% will result in a serious injury.

Businesses Plan for Slip and Fall Claims

Business owners understand they are responsible for injuries that occur on their property — even if those injured are renters instead of owners. They also know this responsibility is far-reaching, covering everyone from employees to visitors to neighbors (in some cases, even trespassers). This is why business and property owners must regularly inspect their premises for any unsafe conditions. They must warn others if there is a situation that might cause a fall. That is why it is so common to see signs in restaurants and retail locations warning of wet floors after someone mops.

If you slip and fall inside a business, you should know most owners have insurance policies costing as little as $500. These policies typically cover up to $1 million in damages for customers’ injuries. Thus, you shouldn’t ever feel badly about suing. Still, you must make sure to file your claim before the personal injury deadline in your state expires!

Reach out to a slip and fall lawyer today to file your claim and get the settlement you deserve.

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