Some slip and fall accidents cause only bumps and bruises. But in too many cases, slip and fall accidents leave people with lifelong injuries that require extensive medical treatment and other expensive care. Traumatic brain injuries, spinal cord damage, broken hips, and other injuries due to slips and falls can permanently change lives.
Falls, including slip and falls, account for millions of emergency room visits every year. And according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), one out of five falls causes a serious injury, such as a head injury or fracture. Dangerous falls are the leading cause of injuries and fatalities among adults 65 years old and older.
How Slip and Falls that Cause Lifelong Injuries Can Happen
There are many ways that slip and falls happen that result in injuries. Sometimes vision problems, balance issues, and other things can cause someone to slip, trip, or fall. But slip and falls also commonly happen due to hazardous property conditions.
Property Hazards that Can Cause Slip and Fall Accidents and Injuries
- Spills on floors
- Uneven flooring
- Potholes in parking lots
- Loose rugs or mats
- Torn or worn carpeting
- Clutter or debris on floors or walkways
- Electrical cords running across floors
- Poor lighting, including on stairways
- Broken or non-existent stair handrails
- Uneven or warped stairs
Premises liability law basically says that property owners have a responsibility to keep their property safe for visitors. When they negligently fail to do that and accidents and injuries happen, they may be held accountable.
What Can You Do if a Life-Changing Slip and Fall Injury Has Happened to You or a Loved One?
Slip and falls that result in serious and possibly lifelong injuries are very expensive. When negligence was responsible for your injury, you have the right to seek compensation by bringing a legal claim against the property owner. When you’re faced with a serious injury, the compensation you could receive will pay for medical bills and other damages. This money could go a long way in reducing your financial stress for the future, especially if you are now disabled and can’t work because of your injuries.
What Kind of Damages Can I Ask for in a Slip and Fall Claim?
The types of damages you may be able to ask for in your slip and fall claim include payment for:
- Doctor bills, hospital costs, prescription drugs, and other medical expenses related to your injury. This includes both present and future costs of medical care.
- Lost income from having to take time off work to recuperate
- Lost earning capacity if you are unable to work anymore or if you must work fewer hours or in a lower-paying job
- Pain and suffering that includes the chronic physical pain from your injuries, disfigurement you may have experienced and the emotional trauma of your injuries
Slip and fall cases are very complex. It can be hard to prove liability because property owners will often deny that they were at fault. They may even try to place the blame for accidents on the injured victims. When you’re considering a claim, it’s important to the outcome of your case to get the help of an attorney who is experienced in successfully taking on premises liability cases.
Defenses Property Owners May Use in Slip and Fall Cases
Some of the ways a property owner may try to defend themselves is to claim that:
- They didn’t know there was a hazard on their property.
- You were texting or otherwise distracted and weren’t watching where you were going.
- You weren’t paying attention and should have seen the dangerous area.
- You shouldn’t have been in the dangerous property area in the first place.
- You were wearing slippery or otherwise unsafe shoes that contributed to your slip and fall.
- The hazard was open and obvious.
- You had previous knowledge of the premises defect.
If it’s proven that the owner didn’t know about the danger or your own carelessness caused or contributed to the accident, you might not get any compensation. A skilled slip and fall lawyer will examine all the circumstances of your case to prove fault. You shouldn’t hesitate to work with one to get the compensation that you deserve.
Serious and Potentially Lifelong Injures that Result from Slip and Fall Accidents
Here are types of potentially lifelong injuries that you could sustain in a slip and fall accident:
- Traumatic brain injury – Falls are the leading cause of traumatic brain injuries. When you fall down hard and hit your head, your brain gets bounced and jostled. You could also fracture your skull. Some people with traumatic brain injuries never recover and may need lifelong medical treatment and other care to help them with the tasks of daily life.
- Spinal cord damage – If a vertebra fractures in a serious fall, you could be paralyzed. Other spinal damage that can result from a fall includes slipped discs that may require surgery and can cause ongoing neck and back pain.
- Broken hip or other fractures – Falls are a leading cause of broken hips, especially in elderly people. Some elderly people who experience them never recover. Additionally, wrist, leg, and ankle fractures are not uncommon from slip and falls.
- Shoulder and knee injuries – If a person falls and lands on their shoulder, they may dislocate it or break their collarbone. When someone tries to stop a fall and lands hard on their knees, they risk breaking their kneecaps and tearing or spraining attached ligaments and tendons.
- Soft tissue damage – Even though soft tissue damage isn’t always visible, the pain and effects from a severe soft tissue injury can result in chronic pain that lasts a lifetime.
Get Help from Our Experienced Slip and Fall Lawyers in Houston
Slip and fall accidents are frightening. One moment you’re walking along and the next you’re out of control and slipping and falling to the ground. If you’re lucky, you may be able to get up uninjured and simply feel a bit of embarrassment instead of pain. But for many people, this isn’t the case. If you’re someone who has experienced a slip and fall accident and have suffered injuries that could last a lifetime, you need the help of a Houston lawyer with years of experience handling premises cases. The accident and injury law office of Terry Bryant provides free, no-obligation case evaluations. Call us today at (713) 973-8888 or toll-free 1 (800) 444-5000 to learn how we can help you.
Attorney Terry Bryant
Terry Bryant is Board Certified in personal injury trial law, which means his extensive knowledge of the law has been recognized by the Texas Board of Legal Specialization, setting him apart from many other injury attorneys. The 22 years he spent as a Municipal Judge, Spring Valley Village, TX also provides him keen insight into the Texas court system. That experience also helps shape his perspective on personal injury cases and how they might resolve. This unique insight benefits his clients. [ Attorney Bio ]
