Accidents happen all the time. They can occur suddenly and cause significant injury. You should be aware of slip and fall statistics so you can prepare yourself accordingly.
Studies have been done to see how often accidents happen at home. Many factors lead to these mishaps. Slips and falls cause many accidents. Many homes have tiled floors that can become slippery for various reasons.
These mishaps are the second leading cause of accidental death. Unintentional deaths in motor vehicles top the list.
Public Injuries
Slips and falls are the leading cause of public injuries. Hotels and restaurants are also to blame for slips and falls.
Every day, over 20,000 people are hospitalized from falls.
These statistics should highlight the dangers of slipping and falling. You may face not only high hospital bills but also risk death. Now that you know this, you need to know how to prevent these accidents at home.
Anti-Slip Flooring
Anti-slip flooring is a good solution. You can keep your family safe by implementing it. This solution will keep your floors dry for long periods. Many people are afraid of using anti-slip solutions on their floors for fear of ruining their appearance. This is not necessarily what will happen. Some solutions dry clear over your original surface. It provides a non-slip surface that still looks stunning.
Anti-Slip Tape
After using one anti-slip solution, you’ll want to find more for your home. An anti-slip tape is an excellent option for smaller areas of the home. It’s the ideal solution for a child’s safe play area. If you have stairs, place the tape on the edge of the stair to create friction between your shoe and the stair. This will reduce the risk of a stair fall. It is possible to make your home or business completely slip-free. Don’t let a family member or coworker become a statistic.
Visits to the Emergency Room
Falls are the leading cause of non-fatal medically treated injuries in the U.S. Each year, over 8 million emergency room visits are due to slips, trips, and falls. Falls are the leading cause of injury-related death for adults age 65 and older.
Strict Guidelines for Compensation
Unfortunately, an increase in fraudulent claims from people looking to take advantage of the system has led to stricter guidelines for compensating victims of slip and fall accidents. Anyone injured in a dangerous environment due to the owner’s negligence needs an experienced premises liability attorney to understand their legal options and chances of winning.
Immediately After a Slip and Fall
A slip and fall accident may trigger a lawsuit, but the case technically begins when the victim seeks medical attention. Even if you do not feel hurt, you must see a doctor or physician immediately after a slip and fall accident. There are two reasons:
Slip and fall injuries commonly involve head trauma or musculoskeletal injuries, particularly in the vertebral area. These injuries can manifest days, weeks, or even months later. You may not know the full extent of your injuries until it is too late to file a claim.
Recording. Seeing a doctor is also important evidence in a slip and fall case. A judge will not compensate you simply because you were injured. The court will need medical records to assess your claim, so save them for your lawyer.
Preparing for a Slip and Fall Case
After a doctor has assessed your injuries, your attorney will begin preparing your case by investigating the accident scene. The lawyer records every detail, even the smallest, for use in the case.
The Variable Incidence Tribometer is one tool used by attorneys to investigate slip and fall accidents (VIT). The VIT accurately and scientifically determines a walkway’s slip resistance ratio and how much it may have contributed to the incident.
Lawyers gather eyewitness testimony to support the victim’s claim that the establishment was negligent and should be held liable. The defendants may be required to swear to prove that the environment was indeed hazardous if witnesses are hard to find.
While a slip and fall accident can cause you to lose focus and take pictures of the scene, it is important to write down any witnesses’ contact information. These will be crucial pieces of evidence for your future claim.
A slip and fall accident victim may be entitled to recoverable damages if the defendant is found at fault.
With so many frivolous lawsuits out there, getting fair compensation for a slip and fall can be difficult. If you were seriously injured after slipping or falling, contact a slip and fall lawyer to discuss your legal options.
Slip and Fall: The Next Step
You should consult a slip and fall attorney to protect your rights and to receive fair compensation. Cameron Law Group serves South Florida with professional and efficient results. Call 954-994-2254 for an immediate consultation.