Whether you’re visiting a friend’s home, doing your weekly grocery shopping, or working out at your local gym, you have every right to expect safety on the premises. Property owners, both residential and commercial, are legally obligated to maintain safe conditions for their visitors. If you’ve been injured due to a slip and fall on someone else’s property caused by their negligence, you may be entitled to compensation for your injuries and financial losses. Consulting with Slip and Fall Attorneys in Dayton, OH can help you determine the strength of your claim and what steps to take next.
Most slip and fall accidents, especially those suffered by young, healthy people, are largely inconsequential. You may get a bruise or two on your body and be more concerned with the embarrassment of the fall than anything else. However, there are instances where slip and fall accidents can result in serious injuries that have long-lasting consequences.
Some examples of serious injuries that can occur include:
Fractures and broken bones: Slip and falls can cause fractures or breaks in various bones, such as the wrist, arm, hip, ankle or leg. These injuries can be particularly common among older individuals whose bones may be more fragile.
Head injuries: Falls that involve a blow to the head can result in traumatic brain injuries (TBIs) ranging from mild concussions to more severe injuries. These injuries can have long-term effects on cognitive abilities, memory and overall brain function.
Back and spinal cord injuries: The impact from a fall can cause injuries to the back and spinal cord, leading to conditions like herniated discs, spinal fractures or even paralysis in severe cases.
Soft tissue injuries: Slip and falls can cause injuries to soft tissues, including sprains, strains and tears in muscles, ligaments and tendons. These injuries can result in pain, swelling and limited mobility.
Cuts and lacerations: When a person falls, they may come into contact with sharp or rough surfaces, resulting in cuts and lacerations. These injuries can range from minor abrasions to deep wounds requiring stitches or surgical intervention.
Dislocations: The impact from a fall can cause joints to become dislocated, particularly in the shoulder, hip or knee. Dislocations can be extremely painful and may require medical intervention to align the joint properly.
If you’ve experienced any of these serious injuries after a slip and fall accident, it’s essential to seek legal advice from Slip and Fall Attorneys in Dayton, OH to explore your options for compensation.
In a slip and fall case, negligence refers to a property owner’s failure to maintain safe conditions on their premises, leading to hazardous situations. However, not every slip and fall incident automatically implies negligence. To build a strong case, Slip and Fall Attorneys in Dayton, OH will assess several factors that may indicate negligence:
Hazardous conditions: If the property owner knew or should have known about a hazardous condition (such as a wet floor, uneven surface or debris) and failed to address it in a timely manner, they may be considered negligent.
Failure to warn: It’s negligent for a property owner or tenant who is aware of a dangerous condition to fail to provide adequate warnings or signage to alert visitors of the hazard.
Lack of maintenance: Negligence may be established if the property owner failed to properly maintain the premises, leading to hazardous conditions that caused the slip and fall.
On the other hand, certain situations may not constitute negligence, including:
Open and obvious hazards: If the hazard was open and obvious, and a reasonable person should have been able to see and avoid it, the property owner may not be held liable for resulting injuries. For example, if there’s a wet floor sign next to a spill and someone slips and falls despite the explicit warning, that person may have a difficult time proving negligence.
Unforeseeable conditions: If the property owner could not have reasonably anticipated the hazardous condition or did not have sufficient time to address it, they may not be considered negligent. For example, if a sudden and unexpected storm causes a large puddle to form in a store entrance, and a customer slips and falls before store personnel have a reasonable opportunity to address the hazard, the property owner may argue that the condition was unforeseeable and they should not be held liable for resulting injuries.
Contributory negligence: If the injured person’s own actions or lack of attention contributed significantly to the accident, it may impact their ability to recover damages. For instance, if a person was texting and walking without paying attention to their surroundings and then slipped and fell on a wet floor, their own contributory negligence may be a factor in the accident.
For anyone facing the aftermath of a slip and fall injury, seeking guidance from experienced Slip and Fall Attorneys in Dayton, OH is crucial to ensure that your rights are protected and that you receive the compensation you deserve.
Slip and fall cases are inherently complicated. Property owners and their insurance carriers aren’t generally keen on compensating injured victims, even if they know their negligence led to the accident.
However, this doesn’t mean you shouldn’t file a claim and pursue monetary compensation for your injuries and losses.
Hiring an experienced slip and fall attorney can significantly increase your chances of success and ensure you receive the compensation you deserve.
The personal injury attorneys at the Buckeye Law Group have the expertise and grit to level the playing field and ensure your rights are protected throughout the legal process. We will guide you every step of the way, provide expert advice and work diligently to maximize your compensation.
Contact our Dayton law office today by calling 1-800-411-PAIN.