The Truth About Slip and Fall Injuries

Injuries due to slips, trips, and falls are among the common type of personal injuries. While commonly referred to as ‘accidents,’ the fact is that these injuries are often the result of the reckless or negligent actions of property owners, management, and staff. The following provides important information on how slip and fall injuries commonly occur and how you can hold responsible parties accountable for the damages you suffer.

Common Causes of Slip and Fall Injuries

According to research from the National Safety Council (NSC), slip and fall accidents are one of the leading causes of death and disability in the United States. Even a seemingly minor fall can result in serious injuries, which can include muscle and tendon sprains, strains, and tears, broken bones, and severe back, neck, and head injuries.

While slips and falls can occur in the home, they are common in public places, such as malls, grocery stores, offices, and restaurants, as well as at parks, museums, and other attractions. The NSC reports that common causes include:

• Wet, slippery floors due to spills or recent mopping
• Condensation at exits and entrances due to air conditioning systems
• Cluttered and overcrowded hallways and aisles
• Damaged or uneven paths and walkways
• Loose floor materials and torn carpeting
• Lack of proper lighting
• Lack of handrail at heights and on stairs
• Improper maintenance of surfaces
• Improperly routed gutters
• Mounds of snow that thaw and refreeze

When slip and fall injuries occur as the result of the above conditions, property owners, landlords, managers, and employees can be held responsible through an insurance claim or by filing a personal injury lawsuit.

Compensation For Slip and Fall Injuries

Negligence is defined as doing something a reasonable person would not do in a similar situation or failing to take actions a reasonable person would have taken. Under the Illinois Premises Liability Act, property owners and managers have a duty of care to warn guests of potential dangers that exist on their property and to attend to dangerous conditions that they are or should have been aware of.

If you are involved in a slip and fall accident, your first steps should be to notify the police or manager, supervisor, or security guard on the property and to seek medical attention immediately. Failing to take either of these actions could jeopardize your rights to compensation. In a premises liability lawsuit, damages you may be entitled to claim include:

• Medical expenses, including future healthcare costs
• Lost wages and future losses in earnings
• Compensation for pain, suffering, and any lasting disabilities caused by your injuries

Our Skilled Personal Injury Attorneys are Here to Help

For professional legal guidance in seeking compensation through an insurance company claim or an injury lawsuit, call or contact Saks, Robinson & Rittenberg, Ltd. online to request a free consultation.