Blame it on centuries of slapstick comedy or the inherent embarrassment we feel from being “clumsy,” but slipping, tripping, and falling tend to have a silly connotation. Unfortunately, the reality is that slips and falls are some of the most serious accidents, commonly leading to severe and even fatal injuries.
Slipping, tripping, and falling all put significant stress on the body. While falls from considerable heights are, of course, the most serious, even falling to the ground from a standing or walking position can lead to painful, long-lasting injuries.
Common Slip & Fall Injuries
Slip and fall accidents frequently lead to serious injuries, which may require ongoing medical attention and care.
Studies have shown that falls, including slip and falls, are among the leading causes of numerous severe injuries, such as:
- Traumatic brain injuries
- Head and neck injuries
- Spinal cord injuries
- Paralysis
- Broken bones
- Hip fractures
- Dislocated joints
Other common slip and fall injuries include bruises, cuts, scrapes, lacerations, strains, sprains, muscle tears, internal bleeding, and soft tissue injuries.
The Effects of a Slip & Fall Accident
Depending on the severity of the accident, victims may require emergency medical attention, as well as extensive treatment and ongoing care. They may suffer from lasting complications and could be out of work for weeks or months due to their injuries. All of these hardships are often compounded by the fact that slip and fall accidents can lead to significant physical and emotional consequences, from chronic pain to depression and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) to reduced overall well-being.
When Can You Sue for a Slip & Fall Accident?
Slip and fall claims are some of the most common types of personal injury lawsuits, but not every slip, trip, and fall accident is grounds for legal action.
To have a slip and fall lawsuit, you must prove the following:
- You were injured while lawfully on someone else’s property
- Your injuries were caused by a defective or dangerous property condition
- The property owner knew about or reasonably should have known about the defective or dangerous condition
- The property owner failed to take reasonable measures to maintain the property and/or repair, remove, or warn others about the defective or dangerous condition
Why You Need an Attorney for Your Slip & Fall Claim
Insurance companies often try to undervalue claims by arguing that the injured party was more to blame for the accident than they really were. In fact, the insurance company may argue that you were entirely at fault, even when the property owner was negligent.
At The Womac Law Firm, our New Orleans slip and fall lawyers know how to fight back against common insurance company tactics used to dispute or deny valid claims. We understand the true impact slip and fall accidents have on victims and their families and have successfully helped countless injured victims fight for fair compensation for their injuries.
If you or someone you love was injured in a slip, trip, or fall accident in New Orleans, contact The Womac Law Firm today to learn how we can help during a free, no-obligation consultation.