Slip and Fall Accidents and Resulting Injuries
Slip and Fall accidents result in injuries for which millions seek legal counsel every year. The injuries that result when a person suffers from a fall can be devasting. The aftermath of a fall can leave victims with numerous issues that threaten their physical, emotional, and financial wellness. These incidents can also result in permanent damages to an individual’s mobility, and overall quality of life.
Individuals who have suffered from injuries resulting from a fall may be due compensation for their injuries. Victims must seek services from an experienced personal injury attorney to determine who should be held liable. The attorney will need to prove that the incident resulted from the negligence of another person, company, or organization.
The following informational guide was created to help potential clients who have suffered from a fall determine if they may be due compensation for their injuries. We will also explore famous slip and trip cases in which justice was served to those responsible for these horrendous accidents.
Common Injuries
Injuries sustained after a fall can be catastrophic, lingering, and damaging to one’s physical, mental, and/or emotional health.
Common injuries include:
- Fractures Hands, Wrists, or Fingers.
- Hip and/or Knee Injuries
- Shoulder Dislocation
- Bruises
- Cuts
- Serious Back/ Neck injuries
The severity of injures can vary based on circumstances, including the height of the fall, age of the victim, how the victim landed, or other surfaces that they may have contacted during the incident.
Responsibility for Slip and Fall Accidents
Oftentimes, a fall occurs because of the negligence of another person, organization, or entity. When injuries occur from these incidents the responsible party should be held liable for the damages.
The following individuals are often deemed liable in these cases:
- Employers
- Businesses
- Landlords
- Homeowners
- Hotels
There are numerous other factors that may be involved in why these parties are responsible. Their negligence could be evident because of ice, wet floors, or other dangerous situations that the responsible party had chosen to ignore.
Every case involves unique factors. It is wise to contact a legal professional if you or someone you love has suffered a fall because it is not always evident who could be held responsible.
Potential Compensation
You or your loved one deserve compensation for injuries caused by another person’s negligence. You must seek a qualified and experienced attorney who is not afraid to fight for this compensation in court. You could be owed compensation for your medical expenses and lost wages. You may also be owed compensation for emotional suffering.
Cases of Slips and Falls
The following newsworthy slip and fall cases involve several different scenarios and responsible parties. These can be used as a reference for winning slip and fall cases.
Walmart- Phenix City, Georgia
A 61 year old man suffered a broken hip after he fell inside a Walmart superstore. The major retailer had used a wooden pallet to display watermelons. After picking up a watermelon the man’s foot became stuck in the pallet and as he turned to walk away he fell.
Walmart tried to fight the case, even claimed that the pallet was still being used and posed no risk to other shoppers. The man’s attorney managed to acquire evidence contrary to this claim. Video footage displayed in court showed several other shoppers also got their feet stuck in the pallet.
The gentleman was awarded 5 million in punitive damages and 2.5 million in compensation, a total of 7.5 million dollars.
Trigen-Philadelphia Energy Corporation- Pennsylvania
A medical student who attended the University of Pennsylvania fell 18 feet into a manhole. The cover had been removed by a homeless person. The man survived but suffered from severe spinal injuries that halted his education and ruined his chance of any career.
The energy corporation was deemed responsible for these horrific injuries. Attorneys were able to prove that the energy company had known for over a decade that this was an issue. They were aware that homeless people often sought refuge, left the covers off, and presented a risk to public safety. This man was awarded 18 million for the accident.
Another accident occurred when a woman claimed she slipped on a ballroom dancing floor at the Sherton Valley Forge Hotel in Haverford, due to “accumulated water, moisture or liquid on the floor.” She allegedly suffered a bicep rupture and a labral tear – all of which require surgery.
The critical element in winning slip, trip and fall or any personal injury case, is proving that the responsible party is liable for the incident. This means that they were aware that something was an issue, yet against better judgment ignored the hazard, resulting in the injury of another person.
Contact A Legal Professional
If you or someone that you love has been injured in a fall, it is imperative that you seek legal counsel immediately. The longer you wait to seek assistance, the less likely you are to win your case. You must ensure that the attorney you choose is specialized and experienced with personal injury cases, specifically slip and fall accidents.
Goidel & Siegel Specialize in Fall and Slip Accidents
The attorneys at Goidel and Sigel have helped thousands of injured clients get the compensation that they deserve. Their diverse team of legal professionals are experienced, qualified, and not afraid to go to court. They stand beside their clients throughout the legal process and will not settle unless their clients are satisfied.
Goidel and Siegal are proud to serve clients throughout New York and New Jersey, with offices in Long Island, Queens, and Manhattan. Visit the team of experienced personal injury attorneys of Goidel and Siegal on their website or call to schedule a consultation.
