About Slip and Fall Accidents

When one is in a commercial building, government building, walking on a city sidewalk or in any public area, it is expected that a standard of safety is provided.  This means that uneven pavement, potholes, broken stairs and other hazards should be quickly fixed to avoid danger to any visitors to the area.  Many elderly people have suffered serious injury due to an uneven walking surface, and when older individuals fall, they often suffer broken hips or other fractures.  This can occur with younger individuals as well, and slip and fall accidents have resulted in fatal head injuries.  Slipping and landing on your back and head can be extremely dangerous.  In any slip and fall accident, it becomes necessary to enlist the assistance of an attorney who can provide the legal support to make the claim for damages.

Slip and Fall Accident Claims

When one of these dangerous accidents happens, it is critical to document the actual hazard and get the names, addresses and phone numbers of any witnesses to the incident whenever possible.  The first priority is to get the needed medical attention, and also to get an attorney who is experienced in such cases.  The attorney's office often has investigative teams that can collect the necessary evidence to make the claim.  It is critical to act quickly, as the property owner usually will immediately repair the area in which the incident took place, and then it becomes harder to prove that the hazard existed.

In certain cases, the property owner or insurance company will try to offer a fast settlement before the injured has a chance to get legal representation.  It is strongly advised that you never accept a settlement offered in a slip and fall accident without first getting the offer reviewed by an attorney.  It is likely that you are being offered a settlement that is far lower than you could expect with the help of an attorney.