When you go out to public places, you should feel safe and not worry about injuring yourself due to badly constructed buildings, slippery floors, and dangerous obstructions.
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However, falls have been getting more common in recent years, and they are often caused by someone else’s negligence. Let’s have a look at when you should file a lawsuit and hire a slip-and-fall lawyer.
Slip-And-Fall Lawyer: 5 Real-Life Situations to Hire One
1. You Fell in a Poorly Constructed Public Building
In the US, every third person over the age of 65 will fall every year, and many of them have multiple accidents over the course of a year. Although such incidents are occasionally unavoidable, they are often caused by poorly constructed infrastructure. For instance, you might have struggled to reach a handrail, been misled by steps of inequal height, or been injured because a floor was uneven.
If you fell in a public place that was poorly built and therefore conducive to accidents, the owner of the building is liable for your medical bills, loss of income, and other negative consequences of the accident. In such a case, you should get in touch with an experienced slip-and-fall accident lawyer in Houston, who will be able to help you build up strong evidence in your favor.
2. You Hurt Yourself Due to a Slippery Floor
One of the most common reasons for a slip and fall accident is a slippery floor. Over time, some types of floors wear away, causing spots that are dangerous and can cause injury. Similarly, many surfaces become slippery when wet, so business owners must keep them dry at all times.
As soon as a spill occurs or water gets in due to rainy weather conditions, the wet area must either be marked clearly or swept up.
By not pointing out or removing the danger, owners are making themselves liable for any damages. In such a case, you and your attorney can build up a strong case that allows you to receive the money you need to pay for your medical bills and other costs associated with the injury.
3. Your Injuries Appear after Several Days or Weeks
When your accident first happens, you might not feel like you are severely injured. In fact, the shock and embarrassment of the moment might be masking your pain. Many people only realize that they have an injury in the days or weeks after the accident. For instance, you might believe that you only have a bruise, but if it doesn’t go away after a few days, there could be a more serious underlying problem such as a bone fracture.
Fortunately, you have at least two years from the date of your accident to file your lawsuit, so you can wait and see until you know more about your condition. It’s highly recommended that you visit a doctor and let them evaluate whether you have any serious medical problems. They can let you know whether you will suffer from your injuries long-term and whether it is worth pursuing the case in court.
4. You Slipped Due to Obstructions on the Floor
No matter if you’re in a supermarket, cafe, restaurant, or clothing store, there shouldn’t be anything on the floor that could cause you to stumble and fall. As with slippery floors, any obstructions need to be marked clearly and removed as soon as possible to ensure the safety of the public. If this isn’t done and you have a serious accident, you can hold the guilty party responsible.
5. Your Loved One Died Due to a Slip and Fall Accident
Older people shouldn’t have to worry about falling and injuring themselves or even passing away every time they leave their homes. But unfortunately, deaths from falls are getting more and more common. From 2007 to 2016, the fall death rates in older adults rose by 30%. If this trend continues in the same way, there may be seven fatalities due to such accidents every hour in 2030.
For this reason, it’s important that business owners are responsible for the spaces they create. By law, they must make sure that the risk of injury is as small as possible. If you suffered the loss of a loved one because of a slip and fall accident, you shouldn’t delay getting in touch with your lawyer. They can help you hold the responsible party accountable and make sure the same doesn’t happen again.
Everyone should feel safe in public, and business owners must create environments that prevent accidents wherever possible. However, this isn’t always the case, and many buildings aren’t constructed as securely as they could be. If you’ve been the victim of an accident that could have been stopped, you should speak to a slip-and-fall lawyer who help you gain the compensation you need to recover from your injuries.