The Injury Risk Associated with Slip and Fall Accidents

There are everyday instances where we can slip and fall on concrete, carpet, wet floors, or ice. As we go down, awkward landings leave us in pain. Sure, it could have been your fault, but if you were in a public setting, the correct signage and warnings should have been within vision.

The risk is high when talking about slip and falls. You can suffer nerve damage, torn ligaments, head, neck, back, spine, or hip injuries, and more. Some falls result in permanent disabilities or death. When you have slipped and fallen at the fault of another, it can have a drastic effect on your life.

Injury risks are most often associated with the surface of the floor or ground. The National Floor Safety Institute found that over 50% of all slip and fall accidents were directly related to hazardous walking surfaces. These surfaces include loose floorboards, recently waxed floors, torn carpeting, poor construction, ice, and more.

You can spend months rehabbing an injury or suffer significant nerve damage that you’ll never be the same. Property owners are liable for keeping buildings safe, and the proper representation can help you get the compensation you need to move on with your life.

Recently in the news, millions of dollars were awarded to victims of slip and fall accidents.

On April 7, 2015, a Philadelphia-based high school administrator was awarded a $5 million settlement for the injuries she suffered in 2012. Mercy Vocational High School was installing new floors in their hallways when Maria Mangano unlocked a classroom door for the contractor to install flooring. The contractor failed to mention there would be a slippery coating on the surface, and Mangano slipped and suffered significant nerve damage that left her unable to work. The $5 million was awarded for pain and suffering before the case was able to go to trial.

In Danvers, Massachusetts, a patch of ice in a Target parking lot led to a broken hip for 76-year-old Emanuel Papadopoulos. This case created a new standard, as the case was originally thrown out due to the fact that property owners were not liable for injuries caused by snow and ice. A five-year court process with numerous appeals by both parties, the daughters of Papadopoulos were recently awarded $400,000 with interest charges included.

A New Jersey man suffered serious spine and shoulder injuries after falling in a Perkins Restaurant parking lot in 2007. The constant medical attention, surgeries, and herniated discs in his back led to medical bills totaling around $250,000 out of pocket. In 2011, the victim was awarded $1.9 million for his suffering and the negligence of Perkins Restaurant.

Make sure you know your rights and the compensation you’re entitled to. Thousands of people slip and fall due to another’s negligence each year, and seeking the advice of an attorney can help you move on with your life.

If you need representation for slip and fall accidents, we’re here to help guide you in the right direction. Someone is at fault and you deserve to be compensated for your lost wages, medical bills, and distress. We have an extensive network of reputable attorneys to give you the representation you need. Contact GoJustice today at 866-GOJUSTICE.