According to the National Safety Council (NSC), there were 8,049,881 people that were injured in a fall in 2019, while there were 39,443 deaths.
Those are concerning numbers, especially because of how common slip and fall accidents are. Every day, we walk thousands of steps, and each of those steps is a potential accident. An unexpected slip and fall can leave you with very minor injuries if you are lucky, but at times, they can result in serious injuries that will affect you for the rest of your life. These injuries and their related losses can be severe and expensive, taking a toll on both your health and finances.
However, if your injuries were caused by someone else’s recklessness or negligence, then you may have grounds to file a case and recover compensation for your losses.
Contact Our Slip and Fall Lawyers at Jonathan Perkins Injury Lawyers in New London
Filing a case is no easy feat, especially if you have never been involved in one before. Navigating the complex Connecticut legal process will be difficult while you are still recovering from your injuries, and that is why our New London slip and fall lawyers are ready to help. At Jonathan Perkins Injury Lawyers, we have decades of experience helping victims like you across Connecticut file successful claims and secure the compensation they deserve. We go above and beyond for each one of our clients because we want to help them get back on their feet as soon as possible. If you or a loved one have suffered injuries from a slip and fall accident, call us at 203-427-0889 or contact us online today for a free consultation.
What To Do If You’ve Been Injured in a Slip and Fall in New London
Immediately after a fall, you might be disoriented and confused. To ensure the best outcome for your recovery and your personal injury claim, follow these steps:
- 1. Seek medical treatment — In any situation, your health comes first. Even if you feel fine, it is best to seek medical treatment to assess any unseen injuries that could become more serious later on.
- 2. Report the accident — The property owner should be made aware of the accident. However, do not make any statements to insurance companies as it may hurt your chances of receiving maximum compensation. Record as much as you can about the accident (e.g. taking photos and videos of the scene, noting your clothing and footwear)
- 3. Contact New London slip and fall lawyers — Thorough investigation of your accident is crucial. A skillful New London slip and fall attorney can inform you whether you have grounds for a case, conduct an investigation, and negotiate maximum compensation. With their help, you could recover damages for medical expenses, lost wages, and non-economic damages such as pain and suffering.
Facts You Need To Know About Slip and Fall Accidents
You might not take a slip and fall accident seriously until it happens to you or someone you know. Here are some important facts reported by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) about the falls that occur in the United States:
- One out of five falls causes a serious injury, such as broken bones or a head injury.
- Each year, 3 million older people are treated in emergency departments for fall injuries.
- Over 800,000 patients a year are hospitalized because of a fall injury, most often because of a head injury or hip fracture.
- Falls are the most common cause of traumatic brain injuries (TBI).
- Falls can cause broken bones, like wrist, arm, ankle, and hip fractures, or head injuries.
- Many people who fall, even if they’re not injured, become afraid of falling. This fear may cause a person to cut down on their everyday activities. When a person is less active, they become weaker and this increases their chances of falling.
Common Causes of Slips, Trips, and Falls
When walking, it is important to be aware of the hazards around you. The following are typical causes for accidents:
- Wet, slick, or slippery floors and surfaces
- Spilled liquids, food, or other substances
- Icy or snowy walkways
- Torn or loose carpeting and rugs
- Poorly-lit walkways or stairs
- Broken, uneven, or missing stairs
- Missing or faulty safety handrails
- Holes or gaps in walkways
- Objects obstructing walkways (e.g. cords)
- Unmarked hazardous zones
As addressing these hazards is the responsibility of the owner of the property, their failure to do so makes them responsible for your accident.
Is the Property Owner Responsible for Your Injuries?
Slips, trips, and falls can occur anywhere, but that does not mean that it is always your fault. Under premises liability laws, property owners are tasked with the maintenance of their property. They are required by law to create a safe environment for all guests, whether that property is a house, a shopping center, or even a community park. They should always be aware of the state of their property and any hazardous conditions within, and either address them in a timely manner or provide visible warnings to guests.
If you are wondering if the property owner is truly responsible for your injuries due to their negligence, consider these criteria:
- Did the property owner create hazardous conditions (e.g. failing to perform routine maintenance)?
- Did they fail to address the hazardous conditions?
- Were they aware of the hazardous conditions? Did they provide sufficient warning to guests?
In some cases, it might not be so clear-cut. In others, property owners may refuse to acknowledge their responsibility. This complicates the matter of determining and proving the responsible party, which is why we encourage you to contact our experienced New London slip and fall lawyers, who are skilled at looking at the facts of the case to determine who was truly at fault.
Get the Assistance of Experienced New London, CT Slip and Fall Lawyers
If you or a loved one was injured in a slip and fall, call us at Jonathan Perkins Injury Lawyers at 203-427-0889 or contact us online today for a free consultation. Let us handle the complexities of the legal process while you focus on a worry-free recovery — we operate on a contingency basis, so you only pay when we win your case.
