A slip and fall can seem like a minor inconvenience when looked at from the abstract. Every person, from the time they can stand, has slipped, tripped, stumbled, and fallen countless times. However, slip and fall accidents can cause some of the most consistently severe injuries when they occur.
Far too often, these slips and falls are the result of negligence, cutting corners, and sometimes outright ignoring hazards until it’s too late. No matter the reason, you deserve the chance to fight for fair compensation if you were seriously injured because of someone else’s negligent actions.
If you or someone you love suffered a serious injury from a slip and fall accident, Thomas Law Offices is ready to help.
Our Louisville slip and fall attorneys have dedicated their careers to fighting for the rights of injured victims throughout Kentucky. We will work closely with you to understand the circumstances leading up to your accident in order to craft a plan of action that puts you in the best position possible moving forward.
Contact us today to discuss your legal options.
Common Causes of Slip and Fall Accidents
According to the National Floor Safety Institute (NFSI), falls are the number one cause of emergency room visits in America — 8 million visits per year, or 21.3% of all emergency room visits — and slip and falls account for another 1 million visits. They are particularly dangerous in workplaces, accounting for the majority of all workers’ compensation claims.
It’s possible to slip and fall almost anywhere. Businesses and other properties that create unsafe conditions significantly increase the risk of this type of accident. Some of the most common causes of slip and fall accidents in Louisville and beyond include:
- Uneven Surfaces. Uneven paving or loose floorboards create hazards for people to trip and hurt themselves. A property owner is responsible for making immediate repairs to those hazards.
- Surfaces Exposed to Weather.Surfaces exposed to the elements can get wet, slippery, or blocked with snow. When a slippery condition occurs, the staff needs to rectify the situation and put up warnings for visitors.
- Poor Maintenance/Construction. If structures aren’t regularly maintained or they were built poorly, then they will eventually become unstable and could lead to a slip and fall accident.
- Excess Debris/Clutter.When clutter, dirt, and trash accumulate on surfaces, they’re difficult to stay balanced on. People can trip or slide on the debris.
- Recently Cleaned Floors. If a floor was recently mopped or waxed, it’s likely someone could fall if they walk on it. The floors require a wet floor sign so people know they need to walk carefully. Failure to warn visitors can be seen as a case of neglect.
- Poor Lighting. Lightbulbs that are burnt out or areas that need more lighting are frequent spots for people to fall because they can’t see where they’re going.
No matter what caused your accident, if the property owner or staff fails to properly address an issue and uphold their duty to provide a safe and hazard-free environment, you may be able to take legal action to fight for the compensation you deserve.
Where Do Most Slip and Fall Accidents Happen?
Certain areas are more prone to consistent hazards that need to be regularly addressed. Many of these areas are regularly exposed to water or other liquids that make slipping far more likely.
For others, they see high levels of activity, meaning that it’s more likely for sections to fall into disrepair and require regular maintenance to remain safe. Some of the most common locations where slip and fall accidents occur include:
- Parking lots
- Older buildings
- Pools and pool areas
- Construction sites
- Restaurants
- Amusement parks
- Nursing homes
- Grocery stores
- Malls and shopping centers
No matter where you were injured, if it was caused by a hazard or other issue caused by someone else’s negligence, you are entitled to seek a remedy for any financial losses associated with an injury.
That remedy starts with an insurance claim and can lead to legal action with a civil court complaint. It’s important to speak with an attorney to better understand what you can do to fight for the compensation you need to cover any medical bills, lost wages, rehabilitation, and more.
Injuries Caused by Slip and Fall Accidents
Slip and fall accidents can lead to some serious injuries. They could potentially change the rest of your life or result in costly medical bills.
- Head Injuries. Hitting your head is one of the most dangerous injuries. You can have a concussion, swelling, or bleeding. A major traumatic brain injurycould affect your cognition for the rest of your life. No matter how you’re feeling, you need immediate medical attention after a head injury for a complete diagnosis.
- Spinal Cord Injuries. When you fall and hit your back or neck, you can damage your spinal cord. Severe spinal cord injuries often need expensive surgeries, and you could possibly lose the ability to walk or experience chronic back pain.
- When you fall, you might try to break the fall with your hand or twist an ankle, resulting in sprained wrists and ankles. This could prevent you from working or make it difficult to complete everyday tasks.
- Broken Bones. If the fall is worse, you could break a bone, which could prevent you from working for a long period of time.
- Cuts and Bruises. These might not be the most dangerous injuries, but they still hurt and take time to heal. Sometimes, the injury could require stitches.
If you were seriously injured in a slip and fall accident, it’s important to act quickly. The Kentucky statute of limitations means that you only have one year from the date of the accident to take legal action.
After that time, you will no longer be able to file a lawsuit to seek the damages you need.
How Can a Louisville Slip and Fall Lawyer Help?
If you were seriously injured in a slip and fall accident, the sooner you find legal representation you can trust, the better. Depending on your situation, the responsible party’s insurance company may reach out to you quickly to offer a settlement.
Under no circumstances should you ever blindly accept this type of offer.
It’s important to have a legal professional fully review the offer — far too often, the insurance company will attempt to offer you far less than you are actually entitled to. At Thomas Law Offices, our Louisville slip and fall lawyers will carefully review any settlement offer and will fight to ensure that you receive the maximum compensation possible.
When you are seriously injured because of someone else’s negligent, reckless, or otherwise harmful actions, you deserve the chance to fight for what you deserve. You shouldn’t have to pick up the bill for the medical treatments, rehabilitation, lost wages, or any other damages caused by your accident.
Our legal team here at Thomas Law Offices is ready and waiting to hear your story so we can craft a plan of action that best suits your needs. Contact our firm to schedule a free case evaluation through our online form, or give us a call to discuss your case with a member of our firm today.
Who We Are
