A slip and fall injury is any injury a person sustains after falling due to a slip or trip. A person can slip and fall at a business or on public or private property. There are many reasons why people fall, but there are also common injuries that people suffer when they either hit the ground or strike another object after falling.
If you have fallen and injured yourself, you should consider whether you have a valid legal claim against the property owner. At DJC Law, we can help you get the compensation you need to pay your medical bills and other expenses.
Common Slip and Fall Injuries
Most people injure themselves when they land on something after falling. For example, someone might strike their head or other body part on a kitchen table, filing cabinet, or the steps of a staircase. This trauma can cause serious injuries:
- Soft-tissue injuries like strains and sprains
- Nerve damage
- Broken bones
- Contusions
- Traumatic brain injuries
- Back injuries
- Spinal cord injuries
Some people might also injure themselves as they try to keep from falling. For example, you could wrench your back twisting to avoid a fall, which can cause damage to nerves, joints, and tendons. Regardless of how the accident happens, you should seek immediate medical attention.
Do You Have a Slip and Fall Claim?
To bring a claim, you need to show more than that you were injured while falling. After all, you could have tripped over your own feet, which means no one else is responsible for your accident except yourself.
Instead, you need to show that the person in control of the property was responsible for the hazardous condition that caused you to fall. Generally, this means one of three things:
- The person in control of the property created the hazardous condition. For example, a store owner might have waxed its floors.
- The person in control of the property knew of the hazardous condition but didn’t try to fix it. For example, a store owner might know that water is leaking on the floor but did not have anyone mop it up.
- The person in control of the property should have known about the hazard had they been careful.
Sometimes, a property owner can’t immediately fix a hazard, so they should warn visitors about it at a minimum. For example, if a store freshly mops the floor, they should put up a warning sign to notify customers to be careful.
It isn’t always obvious whether the person in control of the property was sufficiently careful. This is a facts-and-circumstances analysis that requires an experienced attorney’s experience and legal skill.
Speak with DJC Law Today
Slip and fall injuries can cost people thousands of dollars in medical care and an equal amount in lost wages. If you have been injured, you need to meet with an attorney as soon as possible to discuss your options.
An Austin slip and fall lawyer at DJC Law can meet with you for a free consultation, but you need to call 512-888-9999 first.
