Slip and Fall Injuries: When to Hire a Lawyer
When most people slip and fall in a public place, their first response may be embarrassment. No one wants to end up on the ground in pain with other people watching. However, many slip and fall injuries are not caused by clumsiness; they are due to unsafe conditions on the property. If you are injured from slipping or falling in a public place, you may be eligible to receive compensation for your injuries with a premise liability lawsuit and should contact a lawyer.
Types of Slip and Fall Injuries
According to the Centers for Disease Control (CDC), over 800,000 slip and fall injuries result in hospitalization each year in the U.S. and one-in-five falls causes a serious injury. Older adults are more likely to have serious injuries, but anyone can sustain an injury when they fall unexpectedly. Some common slip and fall injuries include:
- Head trauma
- Traumatic brain injury (TBI)
- Fractured bones
- Contusions
- Punctured lungs
What takes a fraction of a second to occur can cause injuries that require an emergency room visit, hospitalization, surgery, therapy, and much more. You can lose time from work or may even have a permanent disability, which is why you need an experienced attorney for slip and fall injuries.
Premise Liability Lawsuits
Many slip and fall injuries are covered under premise liability. When an unsafe condition exists in a building or on a property, the owner of the property can be responsible for any injuries that occur. For example, if you are shopping at a store in Tampa Bay and a loose rug causes you to fall and break your arm, the owner of the store may be liable. Other examples include:
- Slippery or wet surfaces
- Garbage or debris left on floors, stairways or walking areas
- Poorly lit parking lots or walking areas
- Potholes or unlevel paved walking areas
- Loose railings on stairways
It is up to the property owner to maintain a safe area to avoid accidents and injuries. These types of slip and fall injuries fall under premise liability laws and compensation can be obtained by filing a premise liability lawsuit.
When to Call a Personal Injury Attorney
If you slip and fall due to an unsafe condition in a Florida business, parking lot, stairway, or sidewalk, causing an injury, you should call our legal team at Tison Law Group. We can assess your case and determine whether it is in your best interest to file a premise liability lawsuit for compensation for your injuries. Call our office in Tampa Bay to book a free consultation to learn more.