When Should You Call Slip and Fall Lawyers?
July 24, 2024
Slip and fall accident cases are much more common than you might think, and they can be incredibly dangerous. That’s why it’s so important for private business owners and homeowners to instill the proper preventative measures to ensure their homes and businesses are safe for their guests. While some don’t require slip and fall lawyers, many others require medical attention that can lead to personal injury cases.
As a matter of fact, according to the World Health Organization, “37.3 million falls that are severe enough to require medical attention occur each year.” And nearly 700,000 of these falls are fatal.
With so many severe slip and fall scenarios, it can be difficult to recognize whether or not your slip and fall requires accident lawyers to help you make your claim and maximize your compensation.
Before we get into the details about contacting a slip and fall attorney, it’s important to note that if you were injured in a slip and fall accident at work, you should contact a workers’ compensation attorney to ensure your labor rights are protected.
What is a Slip and Fall Accident?
A slip and fall accident is when someone slips and falls and suffers and injury from the action. Slip and fall injuries can occur in a number of different situations, but the most common of these injuries occur from:
- Wet floors (especially unmarked)
- Terrain or level changes on flooring or sidewalks
- Defective or broken flooring or stairs
- Steep staircases and walkways (without proper bracing or handrails)
- Adverse weather conditions
- Poor lighting conditions
While slip and fall injuries that may require slip and fall attorneys vary, some of the most common of these injuries are:
- Cuts, bruises, or lacerations
- Dislocated joints
- Back injuries
- Sprains and broken bones
- Torn muscles
- Neck and shoulder injuries
What is the Legal Term for a Slip and Fall Accident?
Because these injuries are so common, you may hear a slip and fall attorney refer to them as “premises liability” cases. Defendants for these cases can be either business owners or homeowners, depending on where the injury occurred.
What are the slip and fall accident laws?
Every state has slightly different criteria for slip and fall accident claims. For example, in Kentucky, the injured party must prove that the property owner is responsible for the injury with at least 50% certainty.
Additionally, many states have a specific statute of limitations for making claims on slip and fall accidents. If you are unsure of the statute of limitations in your area, contact a personal injury lawyer near you. If you are in Kentucky or Tennessee, you can contact Hughes & Coleman personal injury lawyers for a free consultation at 800-800-4600.
What Steps Should I Take Immediately After a Slip and Fall Accident?
Immediately after a slip and fall injury, take pictures of your surrounding area. If your injury is too severe to take pictures, ask witnesses and friends to take pictures of the area for you. It’s important to have as much evidence as possible of the environment you were in when the slip and fall occurred.
Next, try to get statements from surrounding witnesses to get more information about the area. Collect the witness’s names and contact information in case your injury is severe. As with taking pictures, if you aren’t able to collect witness statements, ask members of your group to help you.
Document, document, document! Write down the time of day, the weather conditions, the safety features the property owner put into place, and the property owner’s contact information.
While there are scenarios where people try to “walk off” the pain after a slip and fall injury, it’s important to seek medical help soon after the injury occurs. Some injuries can take a day or two to surface, so don’t ignore potentially severe injuries. If you don’t need emergency medical services, call your primary care physician, and get the soonest appointment available to ensure that you are properly examined by a professional.
The more information you collect in the moments, days, and weeks after your fall, the better.
When Should I call a personal injury lawyer after a slip and fall accident?
Once you have all this information and gain a greater understanding of the severity of your injuries, you can call an injury attorney near you to help you file your claim and walk you through the legal process.
If you’ve suffered a slip and fall injury in Kentucky or Tennessee, the personal injury lawyers at Hughes and Coleman can help you understand your rights. Call today for your free consultation: 800-800-4600.
