Carpeting provides a nice touch to a home or business, but it can quickly become a hazard if ripped or torn. Property owners and managers must replace or fix carpeting that could cause someone to trip and fall. A fall on ripped, torn, or flawed carpeting can lead to severe injuries and even death in some cases.
If you have injuries from tripping on carpeting, you might deserve compensation. A property owner or business could be responsible for covering your injury costs and more. The best way to file a claim is with a lawyer’s help.
To learn more about how a trip and fall lawyer can help with your financial recovery, call our experienced team at (404) 400-4000 or contact us online. At John Foy & Associates, we’ve worked with clients after tripping on carpeting that is ripped or torn. Reach out today for a free, no-risk consultation.
How Ripped or Torn Carpeting Is a Fall Risk
According to a study from the Journal of Injury and Violence Research on fall injuries in adults, falls are a leading cause of “unintentional injury” with adults age 65 and above. The journal recognizes damaged and curled up carpets as environmental hazards that can cause falls.
Falls are dangerous for older adults, but they can cause injuries at any age. A sudden fall provides little time to catch yourself or prevent severe injuries. Also, how you fall and the flooring around the carpet can make things worse.
It’s one thing to fall on ripped or torn carpeting in your own home. If you fall on someone else’s property, you might have a slip and fall case. Chances are good that someone’s negligence led to your fall, and you might deserve compensation for your costs.
Injuries from a Trip and Fall on Carpeting
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), one-fifth of falls lead to serious injuries like head injuries or broken bones. Additionally, three million older adults go to the emergency room for fall injuries each year.
Common injuries from tripping and falling on carpeting include:
- Traumatic brain injuries (TBI)
- Neck injuries
- Broken arms, hands, hips, and other bones
- Slipped discs in the spine
- Internal bleeding
- Strains or sprains
- Severe bruising
Older people, children, and those with disabilities are especially likely to fall on ripped or torn carpeting. However, anyone can suffer injuries if a hazard is present.
Trip and fall injuries can lead to costly medical expenses. You might be unable to work because of your injuries, which puts a huge strain on your financial situation. Also, some trip and fall injuries are severe enough to cause death.
Knowing Who Is Responsible for Your Injuries
You might have a trip and fall case if someone has been negligent. Under the Official Georgia Code Annotated (OCGA) §51-1-2, negligence is a lack of care that “ordinarily prudent persons” would have in the same situation.
A careful property owner or business owner would take measures to avoid injuries on their property. That includes checking for hazards like ripped or torn carpeting. It also includes fixing the carpet promptly and warning visitors about any dangers.
After you trip and fall on carpeting, the responsible party could be:
- A property owner
- A business
- A homeowner
- A government agency
It depends on who is responsible for liability in the area where you fell. If you’re not sure, contact a lawyer who specializes in trip and fall accident cases. They can figure out who might be responsible for your accident costs. Sometimes, there is more than one liable party.
After you know who’s to blame, you can start building a case for financial recovery.
How an Injured Person Can Claim Compensation
When someone’s negligence causes an injury, the injured person has rights. They can file a personal injury claim to recover money for their costs. If the legal system works correctly, it should fully compensate the injury victim for what they’ve lost.
If you were hurt because of a ripped or torn carpet, your claim can include damages like:
- Doctor bills
- Hospital bills
- Prescription medication costs
- Lost wages
- Loss of earning capacity
- Pain and suffering
- Mental anguish
- Future medical costs
You will need to know all of your damages before bringing an injury claim. For example, make sure you’ve completed all medical treatment first. You’ll want to account for future treatment needs if you have them.
A lawyer can help you calculate your damages, including pain and suffering. Since there are no bills or receipts for pain and suffering, it requires a complicated formula. Your lawyer will know how to put a dollar value on your emotional “injuries.”
After a trip and fall from ripped or torn carpeting, you can benefit from talking to a lawyer. To get a free, no-risk consultation with a trip and fall lawyer at John Foy & Associates, call (404) 400-4000 or contact us online.
How a Lawyer Helps a Trip and Fall Case
When you hire a lawyer, you have an expert on your side from the beginning. Trip and fall lawyers know how to handle these types of cases, and they are not afraid to fight for what you deserve. Depending on the details of your accident, your lawyer might:
- Investigate how exactly your fall happened
- Document the accident scene, including taking pictures of the ripped or torn carpeting
- Talk to witnesses who saw you fall or witnessed the dangerous carpet
- Work with experts to support your case
- Communicate and negotiate with the insurance company for you
- Help you file a lawsuit to recover what you deserve
- Represent you at trial
If the liable party has insurance, you can usually file an insurance claim first. Most injury accidents end with an insurance settlement. But if the insurance won’t settle, you can take your case to court. An experienced lawyer will be there each step of the way.
Contact us to learn more about the services we offer for:
- Texas Roadhouse slip and fall accident
- TGI Fridays slip and fall accident
- Waffle House slip and fall accident
- Bob Evans slip and fall accident
- Bojangles slip and fall accident
We can also assist with accidents at other stores.
Talk to a Trip and Fall Accident Lawyer About Your Case
A trip and fall on a damaged carpet can leave you with painful injuries and enormous costs. But you shouldn’t have to pay for a fall that wasn’t your fault. At John Foy & Associates, we’ll help you build a strong case for the money you deserve.
Our lawyers do not charge a fee unless we win your case. Plus, the consultation is always free. To get your free consultation today, call (404) 400-4000 or contact us online.