Chattanooga Slip and Fall Accident Attorneys
One of the most common personal injury accidents are slip or trip and fall accidents. Although some people may disregard these accidents as being caused by simple clumsiness, they are in fact scrutinized under premises liability law. Most slip or trip and fall accidents occur on the property of another person, business, organization, or entity, and are often caused by poorly maintained surfaces. Property owners have a responsibility to keep their premises in good condition and/or repair. If they do not, and their negligence causes a slip or trip and fall injury accident, they may be held liable for the damages resulting from the injury.
Common Causes of Slip, Trip and Fall Accidents
A property owner that does not maintain their premises to the city code, fails to reasonably warn visitors of hazardous situations, or fails to make reasonable and timely repairs to their property may be considered negligent and thus liable for any injury accidents that occur on their property. Although there are many situations when a visitor or entrant to a property may slip or trip, some of the most common causes for these accidents include:
- Broken stairs;
- Broken handrails;
- Puddle of water on the floor;
- Poor lighting;
- Upturned or broken floor tile;
- Lack of hazard warnings;
- Cracked sidewalk; and
- Obstacles (i.e. boxes, debris) in direct path of foot traffic.
Fall Accident Injuries
The injuries a person suffers in a fall is dependent on the severity of the fall and the age of the person. Slip or trip and fall accidents are especially dangerous for older adults, whose reaction times and movements are slower, and whose bones are generally weaker. In fact, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), more than 581,000 older adults were hospitalized for fall injuries in 2009. Though not all severe, the following include some of the most common injuries associated with falls:
- Bruises;
- Scrapes;
- Broken wrists;
- Head and/or brain injuries;
- Spinal cord injuries;
- Broken or dislocated shoulder;
- Shattered knee cap; and
- Broken nose and/or other facial injuries.
Serious injuries often incur a substantial financial and emotional toll on the victim and their family. Medical insurance may only go so far in providing the benefits that a person needs for long-term medical treatments, rehabilitation and recovery. During that time, the injured victim may not be able to work, further complicating their financial situation. In order to ensure a full recovery without the added hardship of insufficient finances, a slip or trip and fall accident victim may file a premises liability claim against the negligent property owner.
Pick Yourself Up, Dust Yourself Off
Getting your life back to normal after a serious injury is a long and emotionally trying process, but not impossible. At Massey & Associates, P.C., our experienced Chattanooga premises liability lawyers are committed to supporting our clients through their recovery process by helping them get the compensation they need to regain their confidence and lifestyle. A trip and fall injury does not have to turn your life upside down. To find out more about your legal rights and options, contact one of our attorneys today for a free consultation.
