When a person falls, they might sustain severe injuries, which could hinder their capacity to go back to their regular activities. However, personal injury lawyers are specialized in trip/slip and fall cases, so they're ready to help clients who need it.
Why Does the Difference Matter?
The verdict of a lawsuit for a slip and fall accident often depends on specific details. When a victim decides to take the case to court, they must ensure they're correctly narrating the events to get the best chance of getting compensation for their injuries.
With trip and slip and fall accidents, victims must explain the events in detail and maintain an accurate and descriptive order of what happened.
In many cases, plaintiffs will have to repeat the same testimony on multiple occasions during the lawsuit process, and of course, it must be the same narrative they provided immediately after being on the trip/slip and fall accident.
If the victim fails to keep the story straight, defense attorneys could prevent them from getting the maximum damages they should get due to the difference between their narrative and the evidence they gave.
Therefore, determining whether the person tripped or slipped is essential, and they have to stick with their version of the events. If they change it or use both terms, they'll hinder their chances of getting the best compensation possible.
Victims might sometimes create story discrepancies that defense lawyers can exploit. Therefore, it's crucial that they hire their own attorney who can help them organize the information and passionately defend them when they're in court.
What Is a Trip and Fall Accident?
Trip and fall accidents happen when the foot collides with an object and loses balance. They're generally the result of uneven surfaces or objects sticking out from the ground. However, they can also be due to the following:
Poor lighting
Obstructed views
Uncovered items
Clutter
Wrinkled carpets
Loose floor tiles
Buckled wood floors
Most people will use their arms to protect themselves when they fall forward in a trip and fall accident. Therefore, the most common injuries are these:
Fractures
Facial wounds
Dislocated elbows and wrists
Hyperextended elbows
Dislocated knees
Broken finger bones
Elbow injuries
Knee injuries
Since trip and fall accidents result in the victim falling forward, they might sustain wounds, but they're often not lethal. However, they could still hinder the victim's ability to engage in their regular life, which is why contacting a lawyer and putting together a case is imperative. Schuerger Shunnarah can advise on what the most common injuries after a slip and fall accident are.
Slip and Fall Accident Definition
As the term suggests, slip-and-fall accidents occur when there's a lack of friction or traction between the foot (or footwear) and the ground. The person will slide on the surface they're walking on, so they could sustain severe injuries.
Slip and fall injuries can be very severe, especially if the victim fell backward. They could sustain some or more of the following:
Hip fractures
Neck injuries
Back and spinal cord damage
Brain injury
Sprained wrists and ankles
Head injuries
Soft tissue injuries
Broken bones
Permanent and traumatic brain injuries
Most slip-and-fall accidents happen on slippery surfaces. However, they can also be caused by rain, snow, banana peels, shiny or glossy surfaces, mud, recently waxed hardwood floors, and loose or unanchored mats.
What Happens If the Victim Sustained Trip or Slip and Fall Injuries?
If victims sustained injuries in their slip or trip and fall accident, the best move is to immediately seek medical attention, especially if they feel they can't move.
The victim's health is the most important thing, so they should call 911 and wait until healthcare providers tell them what's going on.
What Victims Must Do After a Trip or Slip and Fall Accident
Firstly, they should seek medical attention if they need it. While they do that, they should take as many pictures of the accident as they can.
If victims can't move, they should ask witnesses and bystanders to take some pictures for them. This step is crucial, especially if there was something on the ground that caused the accident because it'll help the person prove that the other party was at fault.
Sometimes, victims are in so much pain that they can't collect all their evidence by themselves. They don't need to worry - a Houston slip and fall attorney can contact the witnesses, talk to them, and get the pictures if necessary.
Furthermore, when a trip/slip and fall accident occurs, victims will receive medical care. In some cases, it might be extensive and intense.
Victims should ask their doctors as many questions as possible and make sure they have copies of all their medical records. Keeping them organized will help them put their case together once they hire the trip/slip and fall injury lawyer.
Moreover, victims should avoid taking any initial offers from insurance companies. Agents will often try to give them less than they should get.
Instead, they should hire a personal injury attorney who will take care of negotiating with the agents and getting victims the compensation they deserve.
How a Lawsuit Works
A slip or trip and fall lawsuit is only possible if the person sustained the injuries on someone else's premises.
When victims are able to prove that they were hurt due to the other party's negligence, they can file a claim and possibly get compensation for their pain and suffering.
However, proving negligence can be challenging since defense attorneys will do everything they can to show the property owner was not at fault.
The best idea is to hire a slip/trip and fall accident lawyer who can passionately defend victims in need and make sure the responsible parties get the justice they deserve.
Contacting a Specialized Lawyer for Trip/Slip and Fall Accidents
At Schuerger Shunnarah, lawyers are experienced in slip/trip and fall accidents, and they're ready to help victims in need. They can answer questions like, "What is the average slip and fall settlement in Texas?"
The team's motto is "We go to war for you," so these attorneys are ready to devote themselves to their clients and help them get the best outcomes possible.