Goldsboro Slip and Fall Attorneys

Slip and fall accidents can happen almost anywhere and with little warning

In some cases, these accidents may lead to traumatic brain injuries (TBIs), spinal cord injuries or wrongful death. However, many slip and falls can be prevented when property owners take precautionary measures, such as cleaning up spills or clearing hallways of clutter. In fact, North Carolina premises liability law requires property owners to take reasonable steps to protect their guests from hazards. This means that if you or a loved one suffered harm from a slip and fall accident, then you may have legal options to recover compensation. Damages from a premises liability lawsuit may help pay for hospital bills, lost income, and other injury-related expenses.

The attorneys at Riddle & Riddle have a combined legal experience of 220+ years. The Goldsboro injury lawyers at our firm have successfully recovered fair compensation on behalf of our clients. We believe justice counts, and we will fight to ensure you can hold the parties who caused your injuries or loved one’s wrongful death accountable for their actions. Additionally, we have a history of success with slip and fall accident claims, including:

• $500,000 settlement. In this case, attorney Gene Riddle represented a client who sustained knee, foot and hip injuries in a slip and fall accident at a retail store. The case settled in mediation.
• $250,000 verdict. Attorney Gene Riddle represented a spectator who fell from the bleachers at a high school basketball game. Our client sustained soft tissue injuries to the lower leg. The case was tried in Wayne County.

Note: Each case is different and our previous results do not guarantee a similar outcome.

Where Do Slip and Fall Accidents Commonly Occur?

Slip and fall accidents can happen on virtually any type of property. However, common locations for these types of accidents include:

• Construction sites. Construction workers may trip over equipment, loose wiring or uneven surfaces. In addition, lack of proper fall prevention equipment may cause falls from ladders or unguarded ledges.
• Grocery stores. Spills or wet surfaces in grocery stores can put you at risk for a slip and fall. This is especially the case when stores fail to use hazard warning signs. We have all seen the appropriate yellow signs that say, “caution slippery surface.”
• Public restrooms. A fall may result if businesses and other private or public properties neglect to clean spills in their restrooms.
• Parking lots. Clutter or construction in parking lots may cause slips and/or trips. In addition, some parking lots may lack proper lighting, preventing visitors from spotting fall hazards.
• Workplaces. Like construction sites, offices and other workplaces are also a common location for slip and fall injuries. Loose wiring, spills and cluttered hallways can all cause these types of accidents.
• Swimming pools. You may be at risk of slipping while using private or public swimming pools.
• Hospitals and Nursing Homes. Patients, especially the elderly, can fall from their beds if they are not supervised and assisted. Additionally, hospital visitors may slip on wet or uneven surfaces.
• Bleachers, hallways, and stairwells. Clutter in hallways and stairwells could put you or others at risk of injury or death. Fall injuries can also occur because halls and stairwells have inadequate lighting.

What Are the Most Common Slip and Fall Accident Injuries?

Although the elderly have an increased risk of suffering more severe injuries, people of all ages can be seriously harmed by slip and fall accidents. Some of the most common consequences of falls include:

• Traumatic brain injuries. According to the Centers for Disease Control (CDC), falls are the leading cause of TBIs in the United States. Although people of all ages may suffer TBIs from falls, the elderly and young children are most at risk.
• Spinal cord injuries. Slip and fall accidents can also cause spinal cord injuries, especially in cases where people fall from heights. According to the National Spinal Cord Injury Statistics Center, falls accounted for almost 30 percent of spinal cord injuries during 2015.
• Herniated disc. A herniated disc occurs when spine trauma puts pressure on the nerves, which can lead to severe and permanent pain. Some people with herniated discs may require one or more surgical procedures to lessen the severity of their symptoms.
• Broken bones. The impact of slip and falls can cause one or more broken bones. Often, elderly slip and fall victims are most at risk of suffering broken bones, as their bones are weaker.
• Internal injuries. Some people may suffer from internal bleeding caused by blunt force trauma of a fall.
• Wrongful death. According to the National Safety Council, over 33,000 fatalities resulted from falls during 2015. The elderly accounted for most of these fatalities. Depending on the severity of the fall, many of the injuries listed above may cause wrongful death.

How Can I Prevent Slip and Fall Accidents?

Property owners and employers can take certain steps to reduce the chances of causing injuries to guests or workers. These may include:

• Cleaning up hazardous conditions. Businesses and property owners should promptly clean up spills and clutter. Areas with heavy foot traffic should be clear of liquids, phone cords, surfaces with wheels, boxes, ice and other objects. Areas near heights, such as stairwells, walkways, and balconies should receive extra attention.
• Marking areas with hazards. Property owners should mark uneven surfaces and areas prone to spills or ice accumulation with visible warning signs. These warning signs can help draw a guest’s attention to slip and fall hazards, allowing them to avoid injury.
• Using proper lighting. In some cases, people may slip and fall because they cannot see hazards in time to take action. Hallways, stairwells, and areas with heavy foot traffic should be well lit.

Injured on Private Property? Call Our Slip and Fall Attorneys Today

Property owners must ensure their properties are free of hazards that can lead to slips and falls. At Riddle & Riddle, we have a proven record of success in premises liability claims. Our Goldsboro slip and fall attorneys will fight hard for your claim by building a robust and detailed argument for your premises liability lawsuit. If you have been injured on someone else's property, you could be entitled to compensation. Contact us at (919) 778-9700 or complete the form online for a free case review.