Falls are among the most frequent causes of injuries seen by emergency room personnel. A slip-and-fall can happen anywhere — at a pool or your local supermarket, in your backyard or your neighbor’s kitchen.
Many times, a fall occurs because of negligence on the part of a property owner. The problem could be due to an obstacle someone trips over or a slip someone experiences when traction is lost between the surface of the floor and the bottom of a shoe or foot.
Unseen dangers
You may have slipped on a slick floor that you did not realize had been freshly mopped while helping your neighbor prepare for a party. You may hesitate to file a claim for financial compensation since your sore hip seems to be little more than a minor inconvenience. But what if there are complications, such as an invisible soft tissue injury? This is a good reason for seeking immediate medical help.
Causes of accidents
The kinds of shoes that people wear can contribute to slips and falls: new shoes with slick soles, for example, or ladies’ high heels. However, those who study such issues find that the floor itself is responsible for at least half of these slip-and-fall accidents. The cleaning substance used on the floor is often at fault, especially any cleaner that leaves an oily residue. But any kind of liquid left on the floor represents a hazard.
Evaluating injuries
Back injuries and bone fractures are frequently the results of slip and fall incidents. More severe and long-lasting medical problems, such as spinal cord or traumatic brain injuries, can also result. The adverse effects of some of these injuries can last a lifetime, and some can result in permanent disability. If you slipped on your neighbor’s slick floor, seeking immediate medical evaluation and treatment will be valuable in terms of your health and helpful in determining the amount of compensation you might expect to receive.