Slip and fall accidents affect millions of people every year. While most of these incidents result in minor scrapes and bruises, over 2 million people visit an emergency room each year for more severe injuries—and we see these cases in the Stone Mountain all the time. When your fall is the result of someone else’s carelessness or negligence, then you may have a legal claim. A Stone Mountain slip and fall lawyer can look at the facts of your situation and walk you through your legal options.
John Foy & Associates has over 20 years of experience dealing with personal injury cases just like yours. We know how to handle insurance companies in the best way possible to maximize your money damages. Some insurance companies will try to take advantage of slip and fall victims because people like you don’t fully appreciate what their legal claim is really worth. The team at John Foy & Associates has your back to ensure that this type of unethical and unfair behavior doesn’t happen. Let us give you a free consultation. Call us at 404-400-4000 and get your free consultation today.
The 5 Most Common Types of Slip and Fall Cases in Stone Mountain
Virtually anything can cause a slip and fall accident. But, when that cause is due to the fault of someone else, legal responsibility is triggered. You may be able to bring your claim in local court to get money damages after your fall.
Although these accidents are commonly associated with slipping on something that causes you to lose traction with the floor, falls can also be the result of a trip. A trip occurs when you catch your foot on something on the floor. In either situation, a sudden fall can cause severe injuries that may affect you for the rest of your life.
The most common causes of slip and falls or trip and falls that create a legal case include:
- Hazardous walking surfaces
The National Floor Safety Institute reports that a whopping 55% of all slip and fall accidents are caused by unsafe walking surfaces. Trips and slips are more likely to occur any time a walking surface is not flat or flush. This includes situations where:
- The floor is uneven
- There are loose floorboards
- Rugs or mats are not secured to the floor
- Potholes have developed in parking lots
- Transitionary areas where the flooring goes from a hard surface to carpet
Most of these problems arise because of poor maintenance or flooring needs to be updated. But, surfaces that become slippery because of weather can also be dangerous. It is difficult to prevent slippery surfaces because of rainstorms or ice, but having signs nearby can be helpful to warn customers and other visitors.
- Failing to address debris on the floor
Trash, slippery products, and other debris can be hazardous. This is especially true when customers or visitors aren’t expecting anything on the floor. Dangerous items on the floor should be addressed right away, and if they’re not, that can lead to legal liability for the property owner.
- Poor or inadequate lighting
You might be surprised how much lighting can affect your ability to see dangerous flooring. When the light shines just right, it can reflect on a shiny floor, causing glare that may prevent you from seeing slippery surfaces. Poor lighting can also stop you from seeing obstacles on the ground at all. Property owners should ensure that lighting is bright enough that you can see the floor but not so bright that it hides dangerous flooring.
- Poor safety measures
Staircases, slanted flooring, and other areas may need handrails or other safety features. These allow you to balance as you travel up or down hazardous surfaces. When these safety measures are not available, you may not have anything that can help you catch yourself if you begin to fall.
- Creating unnecessary hazards
Running cords across the floor can be very dangerous. People may trip on these and not only fall but could also pull whatever was plugged in along with them. Placing furniture in walkways can be an unnecessary hazard as well.
Property owners have a duty to maintain their property so that people who visit will not be harmed by the condition of the flooring, lighting, or other hazards. If a property owner doesn’t fulfill that duty and you are injured as a result, then you may have a legal claim.
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How common are deaths and injuries from slip and fall accidents?
Slip and fall injuries make up roughly 15 percent of all accidental deaths in the U.S. They are second only to motor vehicle accidents. In 2015, for example, over 33,000 people died from a slip and fall injury. The National Safety Council reports that falls are the 6th most likely cause of death—the odds are 1 in 127.
There are over 8 million emergency room visits every year because of falls, which includes situations that are not necessarily considered severe. Falls are the leading cause of non-fatal injuries as well. They are also the most common cause of traumatic brain injuries. They are the number one cause of injury-related death for those over the age of 65.
Roughly 50 percent of falls that lead to death will occur at home. In those situations, you generally will not be able to assert a legal claim against anyone else. But, in the other 50 percent of cases, you should talk to a slip and fall lawyer in the City of Stone Mountain to determine what your legal options may be.
Talk to a Stone Mountain Slip and Fall Lawyer for Free
Do you think you might have a slip and fall claim? The only way to be sure is to talk to a Stone Mountain slip and fall lawyer. John Foy & Associates is here for you. We can explore the strengths and weaknesses of your legal case and make recommendations about what your next steps should be. And we do it all without charging you—you pay us only when you win money for your claim. Let us give you a FREE consultation. Call us at 404-400-4000 or fill out the form to your right and get your FREE consultation today.
404-400-4000 or complete a Free Case Evaluation form