Common Injuries Suffered By Slip and Fall Victims

Slip, trip and fall accidents can happen when an area is unexpectedly wet or uneven. Most slip and fall victims have the misconception that if they fall on another person’s property, they will automatically be able to recover compensation. Unfortunately this is not true. You can only recover compensation for your resulting injuries if you can prove that the owner of the property knew, should have known or caused the unsafe condition and failed to take any steps to remedy the hazard or warn of it.

Slip and Fall Accidents Can Cause Serious Injuries

According to statistics, slip and fall accidents result in more than 8 million hospital emergency room visits every year in the United States. While fractures are the most common consequence of a slip and fall accident, victims can also sustain other types of injuries depending on the specific facts of the accident.

Some common examples of serious injuries suffered by slip, trip and fall accident victims include:

– Fractured or broken bones
– Soft tissue injuries, such as sprains or tears
– Closed head injuries
– Traumatic brain injuries
– Neck and back injuries
– Spinal cord injuries
– Internal organ damage
– Contusion or lacerations

These types of serious injuries often require intensive medical treatment, hospitalization, surgery and other extensive rehabilitation and therapy. Although health insurance may cover some of these costs, it will nevertheless leave the victims and their loved ones financially strapped. If the victim does not have health insurance, even the smallest slip, trip and fall accident can financially cripple their lives.

What To Do After a Slip, Trip and Fall Accident

The first steps you take or fail to take after a slip, trip and fall accident can be crucial in your ability to obtain compensation for your injuries. Below is a list of 5 important steps to take after such an accident:

1. Seek immediate medical attention, even if you think your injuries are not serious. Symptoms of certain medical conditions may not surface until days after an accident.
2. Report the accident to the property owner or manager.
3. Keep calm and stay focused on getting the medical attention that you need for the injuries that you have suffered.
4. Take photographs of the scene where the accident occurred. This is especially important because the condition that contributed to your fall can disappear and conditions can change. It is important for you to preserve evidence.
5. Call an attorney who specifically handles slip, trip and fall accidents. These types of accidents are difficult to prove. As such, you need the resources of a successful firm to help protect your legal rights.

Call Us Today

If you or a loved one has been injured in a slip, trip and fall accident, we can help. For more information or to consult with one of our experienced New York personal injury attorneys, please call Gersowitz Libo & Korek, P.C. at 1-800-529-9997.