There are several common injuries that a slip and fall lawyer in Boston sees regularly. Find out what they are, the causes of slip and fall accidents, and what to do after one in this article.
The law mandates property owners to keep their premises safe for visitors and licensees. The rule also extends to children who trespass on a property. When premises owners — public or private property — fail to keep their environment safe, it might lead to a slip-and-fall accident.
Our slip and fall lawyer in Boston has seen several physical injuries resulting from slip and fall accidents. These wounds range from minor to severe, with some traumatic enough to result in a disability.
This article covers some of the injuries that a slip and fall lawyer in Boston handles. We will also discuss what you can do after an accident like this and the types of damages you can claim.
If you or a loved one have suffered an injury, contact a slip and fall lawyer in Boston at Michael Kelly. We offer excellent legal advice and will work hard to get financial compensation for your injury.
What Causes Slip and Fall Accidents?
A property is said to have safe conditions if there are no dangerous conditions that can cause accidents that injure visitors. This should be the case if you visit an office building, residential premises, construction site, parking lot, etc.
Accidents will likely happen when the property owner or manager fails to prevent unsafe conditions. The following are the causes of slip and fall incidents that give rise to a premises liability claim.
Wet and Uneven Floors
Bad flooring conditions are one of the leading causes of slip and fall accidents. Examples of wet and uneven floors are:
- Uneven flooring, pavement, and unsafe surfaces without warning signs
- Not using non-skid floor materials
- Lose floorings, rugs, mats, etc
Environmental Conditions
Just as weather conditions cause auto and pedestrian accidents, environmental conditions cause slip and fall accidents. Environmental hazards include debris, poor lightning, cords running across a walkway, rainwater, etc.
Unsafe Ladders and Stairs
One common cause of construction accidents is using unsafe ladders and chairs. Also, when stairs lack handrails or get newly waxed or polished, it can cause a slip-and-fall accident.
Improper Safety Practices
Some occupations are more at risk than others. In 2020, 805 workers died in falls, and 211,640 were injured badly enough to require days off of work. Sometimes, workers don’t have to fall from a high level to suffer fatal injuries.
That same year, 136 workers were killed in falls on the same level. Unfortunately, slip and fall accidents are common on construction sites, especially when employers fail to employ proper safety practices.
You can file a legal claim against a negligent property owner as an injured party. If the slip and fall happened at your workplace, you could also commence a compensation claim against your employer and a negligent third party. Contact a skilled slip and fall lawyer in Boston for legal advice on the appropriate negligent parties.
What Are Common Injuries Seen By a Slip and Fall Lawyer in Boston?
As personal injury attorneys, we’ve handled many different injury claims. One thing consistent with these cases is that the victims suffer wounds that require medical attention.
The case is the same with slip and fall accidents. Accident victims can suffer from soft tissue injuries or catastrophic wounds. Below are some of the common injuries our accident lawyers have seen.
Head Injuries
When you slip and fall, you will likely hit your head on the ground, resulting in a head injury. Depending on the force of the impact, you might also suffer a brain injury.
Traumatic brain injury is the basis of several accident claims. For example, it is common in motor vehicle accidents caused by distracted driving or drunk driving accidents.
Spinal Cord Injuries
A spinal cord injury (SCI) is a wound to the nerves below the spinal canal. Injury victims who suffer SCIs rack up medical bills that their insurance company may not cover. In such a case, an experienced attorney will file a claim to recover compensation benefits from the negligent party.
Shoulder or Neck Injury
You can hurt your neck or shoulder when you land on your shoulder during a fall. While you may not suffer whiplash like in traffic accidents, you can sustain dislocation, torn nerves, or break your collarbone.
Knee Damage
Like in car, pedestrian, and boating accidents, you can suffer knee injuries in a slip and fall incident. This happens if you twist your knee while falling, or fall directly onto your knee. Depending on the type of knee injury, you might spend much time getting treatment and raking in expensive hospital bills. Thankfully, you can get fair compensation from the negligent party if you have a valid claim.
Other wounds sustained in slip and fall accidents are leg injury, broken bones, cuts, abrasions, sprained ankles or wrists, hip fractures, and soft tissue injuries.
In some cases, the victim may die. When this happens, their legal beneficiaries can make a financial recovery by filing a wrongful death claim. This differs from a personal injury lawsuit filed by someone who survives an accident. In either case, the services of a personal injury law firm are needed to ensure the victim receives a fair settlement.
What to Do After a Slip and Fall Accident
To win a premises liability case against a negligent property owner, there are steps you must take beginning from the accident scene. Our slip and fall lawyer in Boston discusses them below.
- Seek Medical Treatment: Don’t let the fear of medical bills keep you from seeking medical care. Getting treated ensures your wound does not worsen, and the medical record is an excellent piece of evidence in legal action.
- Report the Accident: Make an accident report to the property owner or manager. Ensure it is written and not verbal; it should detail what caused the accident, the time, and possible injuries.
- Document Everything: If inadequate lighting caused you to fall or snow on a sidewalk, write it down. Note what you wore, what you were doing, if there was a warning sign, etc. Take pictures of the accident scene, get a copy of any video footage, and keep the clothes you were wearing in a safe place.
- Contact a Slip and Fall Accident Lawyer: Don’t give any statement to the property owner or insurer until you contact a law office. Your lawyer will supervise your account of events to ensure you do not say the wrong things and protect your rights. Finally, hire a lawyer who can negotiate, has extensive trial experience, and works on a contingency fee basis.
Can I Get Compensation for a Slip and Fall Accident?
If you suffered injuries from a slip and fall accident that was caused by negligence, you are entitled to compensation from the at-fault party. Generally, you can claim compensatory damages.
Compensatory damages compensate you for your financial and non-financial losses. It covers:
- Medical bills
- Lost income
- Property damage
- Pain and suffering
- Emotional distress
- Loss of consortium, etc.
Note that Massachusetts’ contributory negligence law applies to slip and fall cases. Therefore, if you contribute to the slip and fall accident by 51% or more, you will lose your right to receive compensation.
Were You or a Loved One Hurt in a Slip and Fall Accident? Contact a Slip and Fall Lawyer in Boston!
At Michael Kelly Injury Lawyers, we believe that everyone deserves expert legal representation. So, we go all out to represent your interests and get you the compensation you deserve. Also, we work on a contingency fee basis, meaning we will not charge you upfront. So, book a free initial consultation with us today.
