Hernando Slip and Fall Accident Lawyer

Slip and fall injuries can be devastating. You have this new injury and may have to miss work. If you can prove that your fall was because of someone’s negligence, you can get compensation for your injuries and time out of work. A Hernando slip and fall accident lawyer can help you determine what evidence you need, how to obtain it, and what next steps to take.

Reach out to a Hernando premises liability lawyer to discuss the unique details of your case.

Common Causes of Slip and Fall Accidents

Unsafe floors are the common cause of a slip and fall incident. Some of the causes are:

• Loose floorboards
• Exposed wiring or something else in the way
• Bulging or loose carpets
• Uneven sidewalk or flooring
• Food or liquid spills
• Loose rugs and mats
• Potholes and cracks
• Inadequate lighting
• Missing steps on stairs
• Missing handrails

Common Types of Injuries

Falling to the ground unexpectedly can cause minor to severe injuries. Some of the most common are:

Neck Injuries

This injury occurs when there is damage to the spinal cord or the muscles, tendons, or ligaments in the neck. This also is what people call “whiplash,” a condition that happens when the soft tissue in the neck and upper spinal cord is damaged from sudden, fast movement, which can happen with a slip and fall.

Broken Bones

A lot of force can happen during a slip and fall, easily leading to broken bones. Fractured hips are one of the most dangerous types of slip and fall injuries because of the several complication potential.

That is not to say other broken bone incidents are not serious. Broken bones in the arms, lower legs, collarbone, shoulders, and rib cage require long-term recovery and treatment.

Concussions

A concussion occurs when a victim’s head collides with the ground. If someone is suffering a concussion, confusion, headache, feeling “foggy,” ringing in the ears, nausea, dizziness, and a loss of consciousness are all signs of a potential concussion.

Facial Injuries

Injuries to your face can happen as you fall to the ground or hit an object on the way down. This type of injury can look like broken teeth, nose fractures, jaw fractures, severe cuts, and eye injuries. It is not uncommon for a slip-and-fall victim to suffer facial injuries and a concussion or other form of TBI (traumatic brain injury).

Ankle and Knee Injuries

During your fall, it is easy to twist your ankle. A sprain and strain are as likely as tears, broken bones, and other severe injuries.

Shoulder, Wrist, and Elbow Injuries

Mostly, everyone’s natural reaction when falling is to try to hold themselves back. Unfortunately, this can cause an injury in your wrist that expands to your shoulders and elbows. Injuries to soft tissue and nerves are common.

Depending on the extent of your injury, the treatment may be to rest, use ice, and elevate your arm. If your injury is more severe, you may need further treatment.

Liability in a Slip and Fall Case

In legal terms, and for insurance companies, “liability” is when someone is responsible. If you are going to hold another individual responsible for an injury, you must prove that:

• A business, property owner, or employer was negligent and had dangerous conditions like an uneven walking surface, slippery floors without warning signs, missing steps, potholes, or similar scenarios. You have to prove that the owner left the hazardous condition and neglected to fix it.
• A business, property owner, or employer that had something obstructing a walkway. This could be in a parking lot, hallway, or anywhere considered a hazardous obstacle.

How to Prove Liability

You must provide proof within one year of your injury to receive compensation or help paying medical bills for your injury. This involves showing that someone else’s wrongdoing injured you. You can do that by any of the following:

Get Witness Statements

Interview anyone who was an eyewitness. Ask them if you could get a written statement from them or if they would be willing to write down their information so you can share it with your slip-and-fall accident attorney in Hernando.

Try to Get Evidence from the Scene

If anyone around had a video or photo of the hazardous area where you fell, use that for proof. It is common for people to snap a quick photo or take a video when such an incident happens.

Another thing you can do is see if you have any photos of the area if it was a neglected spot from a prior date. For example, say this was at your workplace or a store.

Maybe some steps are missing, or the flooring is not in great condition. If you somehow have a photo, compare it to a current photo. Most smartphones have timestamps whenever you take a picture so you can show your lawyer for comparison, which will prove the area has been neglected.

Access Your Medical Reports

Get copies of all of your medical reports since the incident. If you did not get medical care after your fall, this may be harder to prove, but not impossible. You can still go to the doctor and explain what happened. They can determine if your injury was from the fall and can write a statement for you.

Show Any Losses

If you had to be out of work because of your fall, you must properly explain the situation. You will have to show documents of being out of work. A doctor’s note is beneficial for this part.

Show evidence that you had to be out of work since then and how much income you have lost. Also, do not forget to count up your medical costs. Write down every appointment cost, surgery, or anything else that contributes to the costs of your injury.

Our Slip and Fall Accident Lawyers in Hernando Are Ready to Help Prove Your Case

The more evidence you can provide about your injury, the better. Our Hernando slip and fall accident attorneys are ready to help you put the proof together to support your case. An injury is enough to deal with. Let us help you with the legal side of your situation.

With decades of experience, we are confident that we can help you take the next steps for your case. Contact us today for a free consultation.