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Key Takeaways:
- Slips and falls often result from wet floors, poor lighting, icy sidewalks, or cluttered walkways.
- Trips and falls occur when obstacles like cracks, branches, or misplaced items cause someone to stumble.
- Common injuries include head trauma, broken bones, and lacerations.
- After a fall, notify the property owner/manager, document the scene, gather witness info, and seek medical attention.
- An attorney can help determine if negligence played a role and guide you in pursuing compensation for medical bills and lost wages.
Slips and falls are common and can have devastating results. They are one of the most significant contributors to head injuries. They can cause embarrassment, confusion, and pain and result in medical bills.
Some of the leading causes of slips and falls indoors are wet floors. You may have seen the “wet floor” signs in grocery stores or other places. This is to protect others, allow them to steer clear of the area, and lower the risk of hurting themselves. Items in the store walkways, poor lighting, and icy or wet pathways are other common causes of slips and falls.
What are Trip and Fall cases?
Trips and falls cases are also common and can lead to serious injury. You could walk down a path, trip over an obstacle such as a branch or holes/cracks in the sidewalk, and fall. Items in the walkways at department stores can also lead to trips and falls. Merchandise on shelves or the floor can quickly cause a trip and fall. Head injuries, broken bones, and lacerations are all common injuries from trips and falls.
What Should I Do Immediately After a Fall?
There are a few steps that you can take immediately to help yourself in the future. Notifying the appropriate parties regarding the fall, such as the property owner or manager, and getting their contact information is a great place to start. This is not the time to discuss fault or the cause of the fall. It can be best to wait to discuss this information with them and any insurance companies involved at a later date.
If you are able to get pictures of the environment where you fell or eyewitness statements, that is helpful for you too. Seek medical attention. It can feel as if there aren’t severe injuries caused by the fall, but it is best to consult a doctor to rule out any unforeseen injuries that could create problems for you in the future.
Why Would I Need an Attorney?
Falls lead to injuries nearly every day. A quick fall can create lasting consequences for you in the future, whether it be through financial strain or physical or emotional pain. You shouldn’t have to cover the costs of medical bills and time away from work if a property owner was negligent, which led to your fall.
Experienced attorneys for personal injury cases can walk you through your options and help you determine whether or not you are eligible for compensation based on the details of your case. Contact our office at (608) 448-6242 to get your specific questions answered and learn more about how we can help you.
William M. Pemberton founded Pemberton Personal Injury Law Firm in 2006 to fight for injured Wisconsinites. Focusing on motor vehicle accidents (car, motorcycle, and pedestrian), Will has been named a Super Lawyer for 12 consecutive years and holds a Martindale-Hubbell AV Preeminent® Rating, as well as a Client Champion Platinum Award.
