Articles Tagged with slip and fall

For many Florida residents, the notion of pursuing an at-fault party for injuries is typically something associated with traffic accidents. You might be surprised to learn that slip and fall incidents actually claim the lives of more victims annually. According to the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), unintentional falls cause around 44,630 deaths every year, while 44,534 victims are killed in motor vehicle crashes. With both types of accidents, the losses for victims can be significant. 

Fortunately, the laws that apply to auto collisions also provide rights for victims of slip and falls because both are personal injury claims under Florida law. You have legal remedies, so it is important to discuss them with a Miami slip and fall accidents attorney. Some answers to frequently asked questions are also useful.

What is the legal basis for a slip and fall?

Slip and fall accidents are a ubiquitous part of childhood, but when was the last time you suffered an accidental fall as an adult? People tend to think that anyone between the ages of 13 and 65 who gets injured in an accidental fall must be unusually careless or unlucky. In the silent film era, Buster Keaton made a career of the unexpectedness of seeing adults fall down.  

When an apparently healthy adult suffers an accidental fall at a place of business, the cynical voices of the blogosphere and the social media platform formerly known as Twitter will start to speculate that the person is faking it and is just trying to cash in on a premises liability claim. Consider Slippin’ Jimmy from Better Call Saul.  

Unfortunately, businesses, which are legally responsible for preventable accidental injuries that occur on their premises, are all too willing to capitalize on the lack of public sympathy for victims of accidental falls and to use this to bully you into accepting a premises liability settlement that does not cover the full cost of your accident-related medical bills. For help getting a sufficient settlement amount for your premises liability claim, contact a Miami premises liability lawyer.

A slip and fall accident could affect any part of the body, whether the injury comes from striking a hard surface, attempting to break the fall, or trying to mitigate harm. Because of the role the spine plays in terms of providing stability, mobility, and flexibility, a victim will often suffer injuries to the spinal cord. The National Spinal Cord Injury Statistical Center (NSCISC) reports that falls rank second for causing trauma to the spinal cord, while auto crashes top the list. Slip and fall incidents are responsible for 32.2% of all spinal cord injuries.

If you sustained trauma to the spinal cord, the implications could be extremely serious. You do have legal remedies, such as pursuing a negligent property owner for not maintaining the premises. A Miami slip and fall accidents attorney will assist with recovering monetary damages for your losses, but you can check out some basics about spinal cord injuries. 

Types of Spinal Cord Injuries

People tend to point at motor vehicle accidents as the biggest safety concern, so you might be surprised to learn how slip and fall incidents rank in terms of harm to victims. According to the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), almost 37,500 people are killed every year because of unintentional injuries from falls. In addition, more than 6.8 million victims seek treatment in hospital emergency rooms annually from accidental slip and falls. While it is true that the elderly are more at risk, the statistics reveal that these incidents affect all age groups. 

Fortunately, Florida personal injury laws protect the interests of victims. The concept of premises liability applies, though many people refer to accidents as “slip and falls” because of how they happen. Premises liability deals with a property owner’s duty, which depends in part upon having notice of a dangerous condition. A Miami slip and fall attorney will help with important tasks, though an overview is informative.

How Notice Works in Premises Liability Claims

The violent impact of a slip and fall accident can lead to a wide range of injuries, and the most serious ones will obviously require immediate medical attention. You know to head to the ER or urgent care center immediately if you suffer excessive bleeding, broken bones, head injuries, or related trauma. However, it is also common for victims to suffer soft tissue injuries that they may not even realize. Medical professionals at Johns Hopkins Medicine define soft tissue injuries as trauma and damage to the various muscles, ligaments, and tendons throughout the body. 

Florida premises liability laws allow you to recover compensation when a property owner’s negligence causes soft tissue injuries, but there can be challenges even when fault is clear. It is wise to retain a Miami slip and fall accident lawyer to tackle the legal burdens, but some background information is useful.

How Slip and Fall Accidents Cause Soft Tissue Injuries