Orlando Slip and Fall/Trip and Fall Accident Attorneys
Slip or trip and fall accidents are among the most common types of injury accidents and can occur almost anywhere to anyone. Unfortunately, they often result in serious injuries to the victim. In fact, as the age of the victim increases, so does the likelihood that a slip and fall accident will result in a serious or fatal injury. Sadly, many of these accidents are preventable.
If you have suffered injuries in a slip and fall or trip and fall accident, or you are a surviving family member of someone who was fatally injured in one, you may be able to hold the responsible party accountable for their negligence and receive compensation for your medical expenses, loss of income, pain and suffering. At Bailey Fisher, we have seen first-hand how victims of slip and fall accidents and their families suffer from the effects of these life-altering injuries and are committed to aggressively pursuing justice on behalf of the victims.
What Is a Slip and Fall or Trip and Fall Accident?
As the name implies, a slip and fall accident occurs when someone slips or trips, causing them to fall and injure themselves. This type of accident can literally occur anywhere, given that we spend a significant portion of our lives walking.
While a slip and fall or trip and fall accident can sometimes be the result of absentmindedness or clumsiness, there is often a more concrete explanation that points to negligence on the part of a property owner. Some of the most common scenarios that cause slip and fall or trip and fall accidents include:
- Liquid spills on the floor — This often occurs in a grocery store, restaurant, or bar setting, but could happen anywhere that liquid is spilled and not cleaned up in a timely manner.
- Obstructions in an aisle — Boxes of merchandise may be left in an aisle or fall into an aisle if stacked on high shelves. This can also refer to electrical cords, cleaning equipment, or anything else left in an aisle that causes someone to trip and fall.
- Water on walkways —Water can become a slip hazard around swimming pools, irrigation systems, or as a result of heavy rains or a plumbing leak.
- Chips, cracks, or uneven walkway surfaces — As concrete and asphalt age, they often settle, causing dangerous cracks or chips and uneven walkways or steps that can cause serious falls.
- Code violations – Surprisingly, many commercial properties, including office buildings, stores, hotels, restaurants, and other places of business, have features of the property that do not conform to applicable building codes or industry safety standards. Examples include nonconforming stairways or entry thresholds, missing or inadequate handrails, or poorly-designed accessibility features.
- Inadequate or defective lighting — We often depend on lighting both inside and outside of restaurants, bars, hotels, and shopping malls. Inadequate or defective lighting can result in slips, trips, and falls.
- Loose handrails or broken stairs — Loose or broken handrails or steps can cause a victim to stumble, often resulting in a serious fall down a flight of stairs.
Slip and Fall/Trip and Fall Accidents — What You May Not Know
When people hear the term “slip and fall accident,” they often envision a relatively harmless incident that doesn’t cause any real damage. However, the truth is that slip and fall and trip and fall accidents can be very serious and often result in life-altering injuries, including spinal cord injuries, broken bones and fractures, and head injuries.
Consider the following facts and figures:
- According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), over one million Americans suffer a slip, trip, and fall injury every year.
- Slip or trip and fall injuries cause over 15,000 fatal injuries each year.
- Twenty percent to 30% of people who experience a slip and fall will suffer moderate to severe injuries such as bruises, hip fractures, or head injuries, according to CDC estimates.
- Slip and fall accidents are the most common cause of traumatic brain injuries (TBI).
- Falls are the number one cause of death for adults 65 and older.
Who Is Liable for Injuries Suffered in a Slip and Fall or Trip and Fall Accident?
All too often, a slip or trip and fall injury is caused entirely or partially by negligence on the part of a property owner. When that is the case, the property owner can be held liable through the concept of premises liability.
According to premises liability law, property owners have a legal duty to keep their property free from hazards that are known to them or that could reasonably have been discovered by them. If a property owner fails to exercise reasonable care in the operation and maintenance of the property and that failure results in a slip or trip and fall injury, the owner may be held liable for injuries suffered by the victim. This includes physical injuries as well as the emotional trauma caused by the accident.
Get Help from Experienced Orlando Slip and Fall Accident Attorneys
The slip and fall accident attorneys at Bailey Fisher have decades of experience representing victims of slip and fall, trip and fall, and other personal injury accidents and are committed to helping people who have suffered serious, often life-changing injuries as a result of the negligence or wrongdoing of another party.
If you or a family member has been seriously injured in a slip and fall or trip and fall accident, we want to help you hold the responsible parties accountable for their negligence and make sure you obtain the compensation you deserve.
Call us at 407-628-2929 or submit our online form today for a free case evaluation. One of our experienced Orlando slip and fall accident attorneys will listen closely to what happened and advise you on the best course of action. For viable personal injury cases, we will follow up with the necessary legal action to hold the responsible party accountable for their negligence and recover the financial compensation you deserve for your pain, suffering, and losses.
Source:
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Injury Prevention and Control Data and statistics. https://www.cdc.gov/injury/wisqars/index.html