While tripping, slipping, and falling may be so common as to seem insignificant, slip and falls can actually result in serious injuries. While some slip and falls are the result of clumsiness, others are the result of someone else’s negligence.
If you have been involved in a slip and fall accident that you believe was caused by someone else’s fault, contact our personal injury lawyers for a free consultation at the Law Offices of Glenn & West, LLC, today for counsel you can trust.
Top Causes of Slip and Fall Accidents
Wearing improper footwear, running when you should be walking, or walking while distracted can all lead to slips, trips, and falls. Commonly, though, these incidents occur through no fault of the victim. Common causes of slip and fall accidents include:
- Torn carpet
- Broken stairs
- Lack of railways
- Defective elevators and escalators
- Unremoved or improperly removed snow or ice
- Spills of food and drink
- Uneven walking surfaces
- Potholes and other depressions in walking areas
- Use of improper cleaning supplies
Who’s to Blame for a Slip and Fall?
When a slip and fall incident occurs that results in injuries, it’s important to determine how the incident happened and who should be held liable—or legally responsible for the damages. A slip and fall may result in medical bills, lost wages, pain, suffering, impacts on daily life, and other economic and noneconomic losses for the victim depending on the severity of resulting injuries.
If the slip and fall happened on someone else’s property, the property owner could be held liable for the accident and resulting damages if the slip and fall was the result of a dangerous condition on the property and the property owner knew or should have known of the condition and failed to remedy the condition within a reasonable amount of time or failed to warn you about it.
Another example of someone who could be held liable for a slip and fall is the manufacture of a defective product if the product caused harm. For example, if an elevator defect caused the accident, the manufacturer of the elevator could be held liable.
Steps to Take After a Slip and Fall
After a slip and fall incident, one of the first things that you should do is collect evidence at the scene. Take pictures of the surroundings and any objects or conditions that contributed to the accident. If anyone saw the fall happened, ask them for their name and contact information should you need eyewitness testimony in your case.
As soon as possible, you should seek medical care. You should also report the accident and your injuries to the property owner. Next, retain legal counsel as soon as you are able to.
Get Legal Help Today
If you have been injured in a slip and fall incident, our Nokomis and Litchfield, IL slip and fall lawyers at the Law Offices of Glenn & West, LLC, will gladly explain to you your rights and options during a free consultation. We are available to represent you in your claim for damages as well. Reach out to our law firm today to request a free consultation.
