People trip and slip all of the time, so what’s the big deal? Getting hurt in a slip and fall accident can lead to serious long-term repercussions that can have a significant impact on your quality of life. Medical bills can begin to pile up, and you may experience side effects and injuries that last far beyond the time of the accident.
A slip-and-fall accident is more common than you think. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, around 26% of workplace injuries are caused by a slip and fall accident. In addition, these accidents are among the top three causes of preventable injury-related deaths. These accidents are more than just stubbing your toe while on the job, they can lead to serious injuries and immense amounts of expenses.
Lucky for you, in the event of a slip and fall accident, there are laws in place to protect you. When workplace negligence results in a preventable slip and fall accident, the injured party can file for a slip and fall settlement related to the injuries sustained from the accident. It is the responsibility of your workplace to keep you safe while you perform your job, and if this duty is not upheld then legal action can be taken. In this post, we will go over what a slip and fall lawsuit is, what to do in the event of a slip and fall accident, and what the next steps are after this sort of accident.
What is a Slip and Fall Lawsuit?
A slip and fall lawsuit is more than just tripping while walking to your desk or taking a tumble in the workplace. These accidents lead to serious injuries that impact your quality of life both in the short term and in the long term.
The other big factor in turning a slip and fall into a lawsuit is the idea of liability. There needs to be strong evidence that your workplace or the owners of the property did not do their job to keep you safe and it led to an accident. Essentially, the slip and fall liability needs to be on the business owners, and there needs to be proof of negligence on their part.
Slip and Fall Statistics You Should Know
While a slip and fall accident may not seem like a big deal at first, they are more serious than you think. Every year, around one million people end up in the emergency room due to a slip and fall accident, and around 22% of these accidents result in the person missing work for a minimum of 31 days.
These accidents are also the top reason for filing a worker’s compensation claim, making them one of the more common types of cases filed.
Injuries You Might Sustain in a Slip and Fall Accident
- Back Injuries: A slip and fall where you land on your back can lead to serious back injuries including your muscles or even your spinal cord, which can have serious repercussions.
- Dislocated Shoulders: Landing on your shoulder can cause a dislocation from your shoulder socket and lead to nerve damage and long-term pain.
- Bone Fractures: A significant fall can lead to broken bones, commonly in the wrists, ankles, and arms.
- Facial Injuries: Landing on your head or face can cause facial injuries such as bruising, broken bones, and cuts and scrapes.
- Sprains: Joints in the arms and legs are where sprains and strains are the most common, and can leave you in a cast for weeks.
- Muscle Tears: Tearing a muscle anywhere in your body after a slip and fall can leave you unable to work for extended periods.
- Traumatic Brain Injuries: Impacts on the head from a fall can lead to serious brain injuries such as concussions and even brain bleeds.
What to Do After a Slip and Fall
If you find yourself in a slip and fall accident, do not panic. While it can be scary to find yourself in this situation while trying to navigate the legal system, it is important to keep a level head and know what you are supposed to do in these situations. Here are the basic steps to take after being involved in a slip and fall accident.
Steps to Take After a Slip and Fall Accident in Los Angeles, California
- Seek Immediate Medical Attention After A Fall: Contact emergency services after a fall to get looked at by a medical professional. The main priority should be your health and safety at this moment.
- Try To Determine What Caused You To Fall: Try to figure out the reason for your fall and if it can be classified as negligence by the property owner. If they can be held responsible for the accident occurring, then you may have a slip and fall lawsuit on your hands.
- Take Photos Of Your Injuries And, If Possible, The Site Of The Fall: Collect as much evidence of the accident as you can, including photos of your injuries, the location of the accident, and any signs of negligence from the property owners that could have caused the accident.
- Identify Witnesses And Get Contact Information From Them: Determine if any witnesses saw the accident and get their contact information. You may need to get in touch with them during the claim filing process.
- Report the Accident and Document Everything: Get official reports of the accident on record for both the employer’s records as well as your own. Make sure that they are thorough and give as much detail about the accident as possible.
6. Get Contact Information From Any People Who Assist You: Whether it be pedestrians who happened to be there and offered a helping hand or the paramedics who arrived at the scene, get their contact information so you can call on them later during the claim filing process. They can provide helpful eyewitness accounts of the accident.
7. After A Slip & Fall Create A Written Record: Get an official written record of what happened during the accident and be as thorough as you can in the details.
8. Don’t Give An Immediate Statement To The Property Owner Or Insurance Adjusters: While you may want to get angry after a slip and fall accident, keep calm. Anything you say can and will be used against you to try and dispute your claim. Only talk to your medical professionals, lawyers, and maybe your family members about what happened.
9. Be Mindful of Social Media Posts: Be aware of what you post on social media after the incident, as it can be used against you during the claim filing process.
10. Call A Slip & Fall Injury Attorney: Once your injuries are addressed and treated accordingly, contact a slip and fall lawyer in Los Angeles to help you navigate the legal process of filing a lawsuit.
How Long Do I Have to File a Slip and Fall Claim?
The statute of limitations for a slip and fall case in California is two years from the date of the accident. This means that if you wait longer than two years to file a claim, then you cannot earn compensation for the accident.
Don’t Let Your Slip and Fall Slip Away
Navigating the legal system can be confusing and frustrating, which is why you need a slip and fall lawyer in Los Angeles. They know the ins and outs of the legal system and can help you build a strong case and get you the compensation that you deserve.
Contact Compass Law Group, LLP to point you in the right direction after a slip and fall accident. We work on a contingency fee basis, and our team is located in Beverly Hills, Los Angeles, Long Beach, San Francisco, Sacramento, and Oakland.
