One of the most common types of premises liability cases is a slip and fall. Slip and fall accidents can occur anywhere, including common areas in apartment buildings, parking lots, shared driveways, grocery stores, department stores, amusement parks, public pools, gas stations, and even libraries and doctor’s offices.
Causes of a Slip and Fall
There are many different situations that can cause a person to slip, fall, and become injured. This includes but is not limited to:
- Spilled liquids or wet floors
- Snow and ice
- Debris in a walkway
- Broken stairs or lack of a hand rail
- Torn carpeting or poorly secured rugs
- Tears or breaks in linoleum or tile
- Areas with poor or no lighting in walkways
There are a great number of reasons a person can slip and fall, but ultimately, whether or not the owner of the property is held responsible is determined by whether or not A) the owner or other third-party owed the patron a duty of care, and B) whether the owner or other third-party exhibited negligence that was the direct cause of the victim’s injuries.
Injuries Sustained in a Slip and Fall Accident
Almost any injury can occur in a slip and fall accident. However, some of the most common injuries include:
- Broken bones, especially the hips in elderly individuals
- Sprains and strains to muscles and/or tendons
- Back and spinal cord injuries
- Neck injuries
- Head injuries, especially concussions and in some cases, more serious injuries that require immediate surgery
- Death, in some cases
While some slip and falls may result in just a few scrapes and bruises, others are more severe and require emergency medical care and in some instances, surgery and an extended hospital stay. Individuals most at risk for serious injuries resulting from a slip and fall are elderly men and women who may not be able to ambulate well and their bodies are less able to withstand trauma.
In addition to the physical pain and suffering, slip and fall injuries can cause families to go into a deep financial crisis. Having to deal with mounting medical bills while out of work can be very stressful.
If you or a loved one were injured in a slip and fall accident, it’s important to consult with a personal injury attorney to determine if you have a claim. At Murphy Law Group, we can examine the evidence at hand and determine if a property owner or other third-party should be held legally liable for your slip and fall injuries. Contact us today to schedule a consultation at (978) 686-3200 or (617) 570-9000.