Trip and Fall
Throughout our lives, many of us trip on obstacles in our paths. Sometimes we fall, and most of the time it is as simple as getting up and dusting off. However, it is possible to trip and take a bad fall resulting in injury. And if you were on another person’s property, even a company property like a store, the owner can be held liable for your injuries.
Hazardous Conditions that Lead to Slip and Fall Cases
It is the responsibility of a property owner to maintain their premises. If an area is unsafe for others to be in, then warnings should be put up and the area should be blocked off. Examples of unsafe conditions that could lead to a tripping injury include:
- Uneven sidewalks;
- Curled edges on matting;
- Cords;
- Clutter;
- Poor lighting conditions;
- Unmaintained or broken staircases; and
- Open drawers.
Injuries Associated with Tripping
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), falls often lead to some of the most expensive medical injuries. There a wide variety of injuries that can result from tripping and falling. Among those include:
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Broken Bones and Sprains– Anytime you stop a fall with a body part or hit the ground hard enough, there is potential for a fracture. Common fractures that occur result when a person reaches their arm out to stop the fall or lands on their hip. Sprains are likely to happen if you manage to trip and catch yourself mid-fall. Ankle sprains and torn knee ligaments are likely in these cases.
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Lacerations – If the person trips over a sharp object, is holding a sharp object, or falls towards one, there is a high likelihood that they will have a puncture wound or deep cut that requires medical care.
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Traumatic Brain Injury – Tripping hazards are often in cluttered areas that have not been maintained. If a person falls, they are likely to hit their head on another hazard and this could cause a concussion, spinal cord damage, or a traumatic brain injury.
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Death– A person doesn’t even need to fall a far distance to die due to tripping. The National Safety Council reported that in 2013, 11 percent of workers who died from tripping fell less than six feet. In this scenario, a family member would be the one seeking compensation.
Documenting the Fall
Your primary concern after a trip and fall should always be to get the medical care you need. In addition, you need to document the area’s current conditions with photos to show what caused the trip before it gets cleaned up or moved. If other people saw you trip, you should obtain their information because they are witnesses. Once you have completed these steps, you should contact the property owner or manager to inform them of your fall and subsequent injuries and then contact an experienced attorney who can help you file a claim for compensation. Compensation is important to help cover medical costs, lost wages, any permanent disability, and more.
Contact a Slip and Fall Attorney
Tripping can be a simple misstep, or it can lead to a serious fall and even death. If you have tripped on another person’s or company’s property and sustained an injury, you may be able to seek compensation. Contact the Tampa Bay attorneys at Tison Law Group to discuss the circumstances of your case. You can schedule a free consultation by calling (813) 739-1776 today.