Slips, trips and falls account for millions of hospital visits every year and can result in broken bones, spinal cord injuries, traumatic brain injuries (TBIs) and other serious injuries. While it’s important to do everything you can to avoid a slip and fall accident, once one occurs, the onus often shifts to what not to do in order to not sell yourself short in the process.
Needless to say, avoiding a slip and fall accident is always the best policy. According to the National Safety Council’s (NSC) publication, Slips, Trips & Falls Fact Sheet, the best way to do that is to understand the most common locations where slip and fall accidents occur. Those include:
In addition to those listed above, ladder safety is always an issue when it comes to slip and fall accidents and deserves its own mention. If everyone used ladders in the way they were meant to be used, slip and fall accidents could be kept to a minimum. That being said, we pose the following question… Have you ever used a ladder in a manner that wasn’t quite what the manufacturer intended? Enough said…
Although the above are some examples of common slip and fall locations, they are by no means the entire list of locations where slip and falls can occur. The key is to use common sense by looking at an area to determine whether a possible danger exists and then to do your best to avoid it. Keep in mind that no matter how careful you might be, the responsible property owner may not be as safety conscious as you are.
Slip and fall accidents can result in minor injuries such as scrapes, fractures and bruises. However, they can – and often do – result in more serious injuries such as broken bones, whiplash, spinal cord injuries and traumatic brain injuries. The latter injuries will likely result in substantial medical bills, lost income, rehabilitation and other costly measures – some of which may require years or a lifetime of care.
The key is not to sell yourself short when it comes to a slip and fall accident or other type of premises liability injury. In many cases, the full extent of your injuries may not be evident for weeks or months.
Too many victims settle these matters before they truly understand what’s involved and end up paying for future medical costs out of their own pockets. There’s no need to do so.
Any time another person’s negligence causes a slip and fall accident, it’s important to contact an experienced premises liability lawyer who can evaluate your situation and determine your legal options so that you can protect your interests. Never accept an insurance settlement without seeking the advice of counsel who has your best interests, not an insurance company’s, at heart.
