Did Someone Else's Negligence Cause Your Fall?
Slip and fall accidents can occur for a number of reasons and in many different locations. For some victims this type of accident can be attributed to clumsiness, however, for others the cause was another individuals’ negligence.
Despite how often we see someone slip, trip and fall, this type of incident can lead to serious and even fatal injuries. According to a National Hospital Ambulatory Care Survey, more than 10.5 million Americans visited the emergency room for falls in 2010.
The Centers for Disease Control notes that among older adults, falls are the leading cause of both fatal and nonfatal injuries.
If you or a loved one has been injured in a slip and fall accident caused by another’s negligence, the victim may be entitled to receive compensation for medical bills, lost wages, and pain and suffering. For a FREE review of your claim by a knowledgeable Goldsboro slip and fall attorney, fill out the free case evaluation form to your right – it’s completely confidential.
Common Locations of Slip and Fall Incidents
Slip and fall incidents can happen for a number of reasons whether it is due to an icy sidewalk or wet supermarket floor. A slip and fall claim must prove that the owner of the property or an employee caused the dangerous situation, knew about the risks and did nothing about it, and that the owner of the premises or an employee should have known about it and done something to prevent an accident.
Some common types of slip and falls include:
- Sidewalk – Cracks, holes and gaps between sidewalk segments can lead to uneven pavement and dangerous conditions that can increase the risk of tripping and falling.
- Stairs – Worn steps, broken or missing handrails and loose carpeting are all common causes of stair accidents. This type of slip and fall accident may happen in a public or private building, including retail shops.
- Retail shops – Some retail shops may have stairs which could be a hazard if they are not taken care of. Another potential hazard is spills that are not cleaned up or wet floors that are left unmarked.
- Restaurants – Slip and fall hazards are abundant in restaurants as workers and patrons are at risk of falling due to slippery floors and poorly maintained flooring surfaces. According to the National Floor Safety Institute, more than 4 million food service employees and guests are injured as a result of restaurant slip and falls.
- Parks and playgrounds – Each year more than 225,000 children are treated for fall injuries at public and school playgrounds and at daycare centers.
- Sports stadiums and arenas – Falls at sports stadiums have become a growing issue. Although some may be attributed to alcohol, others are caused by poorly maintained bleachers, missing or faulty handrails and crowded aisles.
- Work sites – Workplace falls claims hundreds of lives each year due to the negligence of fellow employees and employers.
- Nursing homes – According to the Centers for Disease Control, about 1,800 older adults living in nursing homes die each year due to fall-related injuries. Up to three-quarters of nursing home residents fall each year, which is twice as many as the number of older adults living outside of these homes who suffer from falls.
Property owners have a duty to maintain their property in safe condition or to warn visitors of any hazards that could lead to an accident and injury.
Contact our Slip and Fall Attorneys Today
It is easy to brush off a slip and fall accident, however, victims will often find that hours later they are in serious pain and have been injured. At Riddle & Riddle, we are dedicated to fighting for the rights of anyone who has been injured due to another’s negligence.
Our Goldsboro personal injury attorneys can help you fight for the fair and just compensation you need to cover your losses and damages. We have several office locations throughout North Carolina and are ready to serve injured victims throughout the state.
Contact us today at (800) 525-7111 to schedule a free, no-obligation initial case consultation. A member of our intake team will connect you with one of our lawyers after collecting some details about your claim. If you would prefer to contact us online, fill out the free case evaluation form at the top right hand corner of this page.