A slip and fall injury is any type of accident involving slipping, falling, or tripping. It can happen anywhere – from a workplace to a sidewalk – and it can result in serious injury. Unfortunately, slips and falls are common, but they’re often preventable.
If you’re hurt in a slip and fall accident, the May Firm can help. Just call us for a free case evaluation. But in the meantime, here’s how you might avoid slips and falls in the workplace or elsewhere.
Slip and Fall Injuries
Slip and fall injuries depend on how the injury occurred. Common injuries include:
- Broken bones
- Muscle sprains and strains
- Back injuries
- Bruising
- Neck injuries
- Head trauma
- Cuts and lacerations
More serious injuries can include spinal cord injuries, paralysis, and severe fractures. Every person suffering injury from a slip or fall should be evaluated to check the extent of the damage.
Given how serious slip and fall injuries can be, it’s best to prevent accidents where possible. Here’s a rundown of the six best ways to prevent slips and falls happening in the first place.
1. Stay Alert
It might seem obvious but stay alert to your surroundings. Never assume that premises will be safe! Move slowly when there is poor lighting or possible ice or wet surfaces.
Test handrails before relying on them. And if there are no handrails, proceed with caution.
2. Use Signage
If there are hazards, such as a wet or cracked floor, or loose handrails, use warning signs. Otherwise, you could be held liable if you knew about the defect and someone injures themselves on it.
3. Mop Up Spillages Promptly
From water to spilled food, any liquid can cause slips or trips. Report spillages if you see them. And if you are responsible for the premises, mop up spillages promptly.
This is especially important on surfaces where it’s hard to see the spillage e.g. dark tiles.
4. Clear Floor Obstacles
Ensure that there are no obstacles, such as loose wiring, boxes, or loose floor tiles lying around. Repair cracked or defective flooring or paving as soon as possible. While awaiting repair, use tape or signs to highlight the area is hazardous.
5. Use Appropriate Footwear
Wear footwear with a strong grip to help prevent falls on wet surfaces. Solid footwear can also help to protect your feet and ankles from injury, should you trip or fall.
6. Provide Workplace Training
Employers have a duty to provide sufficient health and safety training for employees. Ensure that employees know how to spot and report hazards. And make sure they know how to move around hazardous areas, such as construction sites, safely with appropriate clothing.
Claims for Slip and Fall Accidents
Property owners owe visitors a duty of care to provide a safe environment. Employers have similar responsibilities. If someone is injured due to unsafe premises or outside spaces, they could have a compensation claim.
Claims for slip and fall accidents cover losses including:
- Medical bills
- Lost wages
- Related expenses
- Pain and suffering
For workplace injuries, there’s not always a need to prove fault. Injured employees may have a workers’ compensation claim, instead. Our attorneys can advise how the workers’ compensation scheme works and if it applies to you.
Statute of Limitations for Slip and Fall Claims
If you have a claim for a slip injury, you only have so long to file a civil lawsuit.
In California, you only have two years from the accident date to sue the at-fault party. However, if you’re suing a government agency, the deadline is shorter. You only have six months to notify the agency and file an administrative claim.
The injury claims attorneys at the May Firm can help you determine which time limit applies. But in all cases, it’s best to file sooner rather than later.
Otherwise, precious evidence could be lost. The less evidence you have, the harder it is to prove your losses. You could lose out on damages you deserve!
What to Do After a Slip and Fall Injury
Despite your best efforts, accidents sometimes still happen! If you’re injured in a slip, trip, or fall accident, here’s what to do next.
- Report the accident immediately. Where possible, notify your employer or the premises manager about what happened. There is then a record of your injury, and the date and time it occurred.
- Take pictures or videos of any trip or fall hazards. For example, if you fell on wet flooring and there’s no warning signage, take a picture of the scene.
- Check for witnesses. Sometimes, a passerby can offer vital evidence in support of a victim’s version of events.
- Seek medical attention. Even if you don’t feel seriously injured, always seek medical care. Some injuries take time to develop, but in all cases, we can use the records to support your claim.
- Contact an attorney. Whether it’s a slip and fall at work, or a premises liability claim, seek legal advice. You need to know how much your claim is truly worth. And you deserve an experienced attorney standing by your side.
How a Slip and Fall Attorney Can Help
The May Firm attorneys are always on hand waiting to assist injury victims. If you retain our slip and fall injury lawyers, here’s what you can expect from us.
- Compassionate representation from attorneys who care about justice.
- A warm and welcome reception from every member of our team. After all, you’re now a member of the May Firm family, and we’ll treat you as one of our own.
- Regular updates as to how your claim is progressing.
- Clear explanation of your legal rights and what your claim is worth.
- Attorneys who are prepared to negotiate tirelessly on your behalf. You can focus on recovery while we handle the complexities for you.
We are committed to championing the rights of slip and fall accident victims. Contact us now to discuss your options and other fall safety topics.
Free Consultation from Award-Winning Slip and Fall Accident Lawyers
Although, thankfully, many slips and falls are not serious, some cause major injuries. But in all cases, you deserve to know your legal rights.
Whether it’s a workplace fall or a trip on sidewalk, the May Firm can help. Our award-winning attorneys are committed to securing justice for accident victims. To us, every case, and every client, truly matters.
We don’t charge anything for a first meeting, and you don’t pay anything unless we win your compensation claim. We cover all costs for unsuccessful claims. So, you have nothing to lose by giving our team a call to learn how we might help.
The May Firm wants to know what happened to you. Contact us now for a free, no-obligation meeting to discuss a claim.
