Most people do not consider a “slip and fall” accident to be serious–until they experience one. Even if you are not severely injured in a slip and fall accident, it is quite possible that you will experiencing ongoing or recurring health problems with knees, your back, your arms, or other body parts. Slip and fall accidents actually cause death in some cases, so they are not to be dismissed as “harmless” accidents. A slip and fall lawyer can help you determine whether or not to pursue a case against a third party, and how much you should pursue in damages, if you have been the victim of a slip and fall accident.
The Center for Disease Control estimates that up to 30 percent of slip and fall accidents involve serious injury such as broken bones, internal organ damage, or head injuries. The CDC makes a distinction between “same-level falls,” which occur when someone slips and falls on the same height as the floor on which they are standing, and “elevated falls,” in which someone falls from one height to another— either up as when someone “trips up” the stairs, or down as when someone falls from one floor height to another. Both of these types involve sometimes serious injuries. At the very least, slip and fall accidents are painful and can result in unexpected medical bills.
What many people fail to realize is that most slips and falls are entirely preventable. Of course, we have all stumbled up or down a step or two from moving too quickly, or tripped stepping up on to a curb; however, most of these accidents are minor and we quickly recover our footing. On the other hand, when conditions are very dangerous, such as when slick areas of flooring exist due to poor cleanup, or when objects are cluttering a flight of stairs, serious slip and fall injuries may occur that could have been prevented with proper maintenance.
This is the type of slip and fall accident case experienced Orange County slip and fall lawyers generally pursue. If someone else has been negligent in taking care of property, or if someone has left a potentially hazardous situation unaddressed, then that person or company is responsible for your injuries and should pay for your medical bills and other costs, including associated costs such as lost wages from your job.
Talk to a slip and fall attorney immediately if you have been the victim of an accident, even if you do not believe your injuries were too severe. You may have ongoing medical issues that will emerge after some time, so do not assume that your injuries will “heal themselves.” It is best to consult with a local slip and fall lawyer who can help you receive a fair settlement.
