RAM Law

Slip/Trip and Falls

A “slip and fall” or “trip and fall” is the generic term for an injury which occurs when someone slips, trips or falls as a result of a dangerous or hazardous condition. It includes falls as a result of water, ice or snow, as well as abrupt changes in flooring, poor lighting, or a hidden hazard, such as a gap or hard to see hole in the ground. The National Center for Injury Prevention and Control estimates that more than 8 million people are injured in falls every year.

Property owners have a responsibility to keep their premises free of obvious hazards and dangerous conditions. If you are on someone else’s property and injure yourself as a result of a dangerous condition, the landowner or business proprietor may be liable for your injuries. A simple fall on a cracked sidewalk, a slippery grocery store floor, an icy sidewalk, or an uneven stairwell, can result in serious injuries and create financial burdens.

The landowner or business proprietor oftentimes claims that the injured person was negligent resulting in the fall. If you are injured as a result of a fall, you should immediately contact an attorney to take steps that might increase your chances of recovering compensation. For example, many businesses use security cameras to videotape the interior and exterior of their property. The surveillance video is usually available for a short period of time before it is recorded over. An attorney can secure a videotape of the property condition or even your fall before it gets erased.

Falls regularly result in injuries such as:

• Herniated discs
• Ankle fractures
• Hip fractures
• Traumatic Brain Injury
• Dental injuries