Slip, Trip and Fall Accidents and Injuries

Whether caused by a trip or a slip, falls can result in serious injuries and even in death, especially if the fall occurs from some distance to the ground. When a fall results in severe injuries and the negligence or recklessness of another party has played a role in causing the fall, victims will likely be entitled to compensation for their injuries, medical bills, lost wages and mental anguish. The linchpins of building a slip, trip and fall accident lawsuit involve establishing that:

1. The property owner failed to act with the necessary care to minimizing the chances that individuals would not slip, trip or fall on the premises.
2. The injured party exercised the proper level of care when treading on the premises (as each individual has the responsibility of watching where they are going and recognizing potential hazards that would be apparent to any reasonable person).

Proving Liability in Slip, Trip and Fall Accident Lawsuits

When it comes to proving that the owner of the premises on which a fall and injury occurred is liable, one of the following elements must play a role in the case:

• The property owner or an employee of the business operated at the property caused the condition that led to the fall. Such conditions can include spills, uneven walkways, items being left in prominent walking paths or otherwise dangerous surfaces.
• The property owner or an employee of the business operated at the property was aware of the dangerous flooring condition and failed to do anything to have it repaired (or properly roped off to warn the public).
• The property owner or an employee of the business operated at the property should have been aware of the dangerous flooring condition, as any other “reasonable” individual at the property would have been aware of it and would have made efforts to remedy the situation. The term “reasonableness” focuses on whether individuals who own or operate the property are regularly and thoroughly inspecting the property and making an effort to keep it as safe as possible.

Slip and Fall Accident Statistics

The following slip, trip and fall accident statistics were compiled by the National Floor Safety Institute (a non-profit organization dedicated to preventing these accidents through education, research and standards development):

• More than 8 million people in the U.S. go to the emergency room each year due to fall-related injuries. About 12 percent of these cases involve slip and fall accidents.
• About 5 percent of all falls result in bone fractures.
• While slip and falls are not the most common type of work-related injury, they do account for injuries that result in employees missing the most days of work.
• More than 2 million fall-related injuries that occur annually can be attributed to flooring materials.

At the law firm of Hassakis & Hassakis, P.C., our experienced Mount Vernon personal injury lawyers have been providing client-centered representation to our Southern Illinois clients since 1950. Our trusted attorneys focus on our clients’ needs, and we do everything we can to help them get the maximum possible compensation for their injuries so they can focus on recovery and moving on with their life. If you or a loved one has sustained any type of injury due to a slip, trip or fall accident, contact us by calling (800)-553-3125 for a free, thorough assessment of your case, along with professional advice regarding the best manner in which to move forward.