Slip and Falls Are More Dangerous Than You Think

By Aghabegian & Associates on April 1, 2020

Almost everyone has heard of a slip and fall accident, and many may have even experienced it firsthand. In fact, falls are the leading cause of emergency room visits, accounting for eight million hospital trips every year. Slip and fall accidents make up over one million of these fall emergency room visits, making them an incredibly common accident.

However, even though they may be quite prevalent, they usually result in a complicated personal injury claim. Requiring the injured party to prove the property owner was negligent, their injuries resulted from this negligence and the damages they incurred. That is why slip and fall accidents usually need the resources of an experienced personal injury attorney to help establish the injured party’s credibility and ensure they are taken seriously by the insurance company and the defendant.

Causes of Slip and Fall Accidents

A slip and fall can lead to a variety of injuries and can account for substantial medical bills, and many missed days from work. Unfortunately, these accidents can happen anywhere and at any time. Whether you are on the job or simply walking outside, any neglected property can pose a danger to an individual falling and getting hurt. This is especially true if the following hazards are present:

• Potholes
• Uncleaned Spills
• Uneven Sidewalks
• Wrinkled Carpets
• Loose Floorboards or Mats
• Poorly Lit Areas, Sidewalks, and Roads
• Unsalted Icy Walkways
• Cluttered Areas
• Uncovered Cables

Types of Injuries

Slip and fall accidents can account for many different kinds of injuries and can also range in severity. Depending on the fall these injuries can include:

• Scrape and Bruises
• Head Injuries
• Traumatic brain injuries (TBI)
• Spinal Cord Injuries
• Broken Bones
• Lacerations
• Death

How to Prevent Slip and Falls

Even though these accidents are relatively common, they should not be taken lightly.  The following precautions will not only help mitigate the risk of these accidents from happening but protect the people on your property from getting injured.

Proper Lighting: Property owners need to make sure dark areas are adequately lit with bright lights. This includes rooms, parking lots, and especially stairways. They also need to keep the area around light switches free from clutter and obstruction.

Reduce Slippery and Dangerous Surfaces: Mopping up wet areas, removing ice and snow from walkways, providing accurate warnings to indicate dangers like “wet floor,” and keeping areas properly repaired are all great ways to help reduce the risk of individuals slipping and falling on the property.

Be Aware of Surroundings: Watching out where you are walking is key in keeping you safe and helping prevent falls. Certain areas may provide a higher risk of slipping and falling, like the grocery store freezer aisle, and need extra caution when walking through them. By being mindful of the surroundings around you, it will help reduce your risk of suffering a severe injury due to a fall.

Why Contact a Personal Injury Attorney

Many individuals that suffer a slip and fall are unsure if they should contact an attorney to help them with their case. What these people may not understand is how crucial an experienced personal injury attorney can be in terms of helping you during this complicated legal process.

Complex Issues: Slip and fall cases usually involve complex issues and require a lot of documentation and evidence. An experienced legal team will not only help take care of all these details, but they will be able to help you understand the whole legal process from start to finish.

Investigation: After a slip and fall, it is vital to have a legal team behind you that will not only examine the accident scene but go over all the possibilities of what happened with you. Further, a slip and fall attorney will not only proceed with a liability investigation but will make sure to review all the applicable laws in the state to determine if the property violated any regulations.

With over 40 years of combined legal experience, the Glendale slip and fall attorneys at Aghabegian & Associates, PC are here to fight for you.  Because each case is personal, we will ensure that your case is given the attention and detail that it deserves. If you are in the Los Angeles area and have been in a slip and fall accident, don’t wait any longer, contact us at (818) 507-4311, to schedule a free consultation today.