Slip and Fall Injuries

If you’ve been hurt in an accident, you might be debating whether or not you need to hire a lawyer to help you with your case.

You can view a list of our Case Results & Verdicts Here. The answer to your question is yes. It would help if you gave some thought to retaining the services of an attorney to assist you with your case.

Common Locations for such Accidents

There are many different locations where accidents can occur. Some of the more common locations include:

Hotels: S&F accidents are very common in hotels. This is because there are often many different types of hazards present in hotels, such as wet floors, loose carpeting, and uneven flooring.

Schools: Another common location for S&F is in schools. This is because there are often many different issues present in schools, such as slippery floors, cluttered classrooms, and stairs without handrails.

Supermarkets: Supermarkets often have slick floors from spills, dropped food, or tracked in rain or other liquids.

Businesses: Businesses often have uneven flooring, cords or wires running across walkways, or slippery surfaces from spilled liquids.

Apartment Complexes: Apartment complexes often have slippery sidewalks from rain or snow, potholes in parking lots, or stairs without handrails.

Common Causes of S&F Accidents

Accidents are a common source of injury in the workplace and at home. These accidents account for over one million injuries annually in the United States, resulting in an estimated $50 billion dollars in medical bills and related costs for accidents resulting in injuries. Accidents that result in fatalities cost around $754 million annually.

Several factors contribute to our state’s high rate of claims. Some of the leading factors in California accidents include:

• Slippery floors: Many people need to realize that even a small amount of water can make a floor slippery and dangerous. Mopping a floor, spillage from rain or pool water or wet shoes can contribute to such situations.
• Inadequate lighting: If an area is not well-lit, it can be difficult to see potential hazards. This can lead to trips and falls. Poor lighting is often found in parking lots, stairwells, and walkways.
• Uneven flooring surfaces: Uneven surfaces can include anything from cracks in the sidewalk to loose carpeting in a store. If you walk on an uneven surface and lose your footing, you could easily end up falling and injuring yourself.
• Objects in the walkway: If you trip and fall while walking, there was likely an object in your path that you did not see. These objects can be anything from a small rock or debris to a large puddle of water.
• Shoes with poor traction: If you are frequently slipping and falling, it could be due to your shoes. Poorly designed shoes or shoes with worn-out soles can make it difficult to keep your footing, especially on slick surfaces.

When property owners fail to address hazardous and dangerous conditions, innocent people may suffer debilitating injuries in these accidents. S&F accidents are common causes of serious injuries. For this reason, it is s important to understand the causes and take steps to prevent them.

In many instances, innocent people suffer severe injuries from negligent property owners. If you suffer a serious injury, you must seek the help of an attorney as soon as possible. You may be able to file a claim against the responsible party to seek compensation for your damages.

Our lawyers at Madison Law Group can meet with you for a free consultation to discuss your case and the legal options that may be available to help you move forward.

Common Injuries From Accidents

Accidents can happen to anyone, anywhere, at any time. One of the most common injury claims involves falling on someone else’s property. Accidents can result in severe physical and psychological injuries that can have both immediate and long-term effects on victims.

Some of the most common injuries include:

Broken bones: The most common bones broken are the wrists, ankles, and hips. However, any bone can be fractured in a fall. The severity of the break depends on several factors, including the fall’s height, the impact’s force, and whether you land on something hard or soft.

Knee and ankle injuries: A few different types of knee and ankle injuries can occur from accidents. The first type is a sprain, which is when the ligaments that connect the bones in the joint are stretched or torn. This can be an excruciating injury and may require weeks or even months of rehabilitation to recover from.

A fracture is the second type of knee and ankle injury that can occur from an accident. A fracture is when one or more bones in the joint break. This type of injury can be extremely serious and may require surgery to correct. In some cases, fractures can also lead to permanent disability.

A dislocation is the third type of knee and ankle injury that can result from an accident. This occurs when the bones in the joint are forced out of alignment. Dislocations can be extremely painful and often require surgery to correct. In some cases, they may also lead to permanent disability.

Facial injuries: Injuries to the face are some of the most common injuries suffered in accidents. The face is susceptible to cuts, bruises, and other serious injuries when it strikes a hard surface. Cuts and bruises are the most common facial injuries from S&F accidents. These injuries can be painful and may require medical attention. More serious facial injuries from such accidents include fractures, concussions, and dental damage. These injuries can be extremely painful and may require extensive medical treatment.

Spinal cord injuries: Spinal cord injuries are generally classified as complete (meaning a full severe to the spinal cord) or incomplete (meaning that some signals can still pass through the spinal cord).

The classification generally depends on the extent of damage that the injury caused to the spinal cord. The location of the spinal cord injury is what determines what type of injury it is:

• The upper spinal cord is composed of vertebrae C1-C8 in cervical SCI.
• In a thoracic SCI, the spinal cord is affected by vertebrae T1-T12.
• Vertebrae L1-L5 are located in the lower back area and are affected by lumbar spinal cord injury.
• Located at the base of the spine, sacral SCI is characterized by the exit of the nerves.
• The Coccygeal (or Coccyx): The tailbone, a single vertebra at the base of the spinal column.

Neck injuries: Neck injuries can range from minor to severe. Minor injuries might include whiplash or strained muscles. These usually heal within a few weeks with minimal treatment.

More severe neck injuries might include herniated discs, spinal cord damage, or fractures. These can cause long-term pain and disability. If you have a more severe neck injury, you might need surgery to repair it.

Shoulder, elbow, and wrist injuries: Injuries to the shoulder, elbow, and wrist are incredibly common following an accident. These injuries can be severe and require extensive care. Common shoulder, elbow, and wrist injuries from an accident include:

• Dislocated shoulder
• Broken arm
• Wrist fractures
• Elbow fractures
• Torn ligaments or tendons

These injuries can be extremely painful and make it difficult to return to normal activities.

Severe cuts and lacerations: Most cuts and lacerations from accidents occur on the hands, arms, legs, or head. And while many of these wounds are minor and can be treated at home, some require immediate medical attention. Severe cuts and lacerations can result in serious infections, permanent scarring, nerve damage, and even amputation.

Concussions: Concussions can occur in any type of accident, but are especially common in S&F accidents. There are many dangers associated with concussions, including bleeding in the brain, swelling of the brain, and damage to the nerves and blood vessels in the brain. These injuries can lead to long-term problems, such as memory loss, mood changes, and difficulty concentrating.

S&F injuries often require extensive medical care, which can result in overwhelming medical bills and long-term medical expenses. Should you be harmed in an accident due to negligent property owners, you may be able to file a case for compensation. It is important that you seek the assistance of a skilled lawyer as soon as possible to ensure you have the strongest case possible.

If you have suffered serious injuries, reach out to the lawyers at Madison Law Group as soon as possible.

Filing a Lawsuit

After being hurt, you may be able to file a premises liability claim against the negligent property owners. To prevail, you must be able to show that you fall under the category of a protected guest.

Under California law, a property has three different categories of guests. These include:

Invitees: An invitee is a person who is asked to come onto the property by the owner or someone with the owner’s permission. The store customer is an example of an invitee. Property owners or those in charge of property must ensure that the property is reasonably safe for invitees.

Licensee: A licensee is a type of guest who has the property owner’s permission to be on the premises but not at the owner’s invitation. An example of a licensee would be a social guest in your home. The standard of care owed to a licensee is lower than that owed to an invitee but higher than that owed to a trespasser.

Trespasser: A trespasser is a type of uninvited guest who enters another person’s property without permission. Under California law, trespassers generally have no legal protection if they are harmed in an accident after trespassing onto another person’s property. However, there are specific circumstances where they may be able to pursue the case after an accident.

Damages a Lawyer Can Help You Recover

Medical bills: If you have been injured in an accident, you may incur a variety of medical expenses, including hospitalization bills, costs for surgery, and even medication costs. In some cases, these medical bills can be significant and add up quickly. A premises liability claim can help you recover maximum compensation for these damages to ensure you get the medical care you need for your injuries.

Long-term medical expenses: In addition to medical bills, you may also be able to recover compensation for long-term care costs associated with your injuries. If your injuries are severe, you may require ongoing care, including physical therapy or home health care. These costs can also add up over time, and they can be significant. An S&F case can ensure you have the money you need for long-term treatment for sustained injuries.

Lost wages: Wage loss occurs when you cannot work due to your injuries and can include lost wages from time missed at work and any future earnings you may lose because of your injuries. For example, if you suffered a back injury in an S&F that prevented you from returning to your previous job, you could recover compensation for the wages you would have earned had you not been injured.

Lost earning capacity: If you are forced out of work indefinitely, you may be able to recover compensation for your lost earning capacity. This type of compensation is designed to help you support yourself and your family while you cannot work. To recover lost earnings, you will need:

• Documentation from your employer regarding your position, salary, and duties prior to the accident.
• Documentation from your employer regarding any changes in your position, salary, or duties after the accident.
• Documentation from doctors or other medical professionals detailing the extent of your injuries and how they have prevented you from working.
• A vocational evaluation showing what types of jobs you are now able to do given your limitations.

Pain and suffering: Pain and suffering is one of the most common damages sought after in a S&F accidents. It is important to note that pain and suffering can be physical or emotional in nature.

Physical pain and suffering is the type of pain that is most easily understood. It is the actual physical discomfort and anguish that you experience as a result of your injuries. This can include the throbbing pain of a broken bone, the searing pain of a burn, or the aching pain of chronic back problems.

Emotional pain and suffering is more difficult to quantify but can be just as debilitating as physical pain. Emotional pain and suffering can include things like anxiety, depression, insomnia, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), and more. The hardships caused by emotional pain and suffering can last long after the physical injuries have healed.

No matter what type of pain and suffering you experience as a result of the injuries sustained in your accident, you may be able to seek compensation for the overwhelming impact that it has on your life.

Loss of enjoyment of life: This damage compensates the victim for the ways in which their quality of life has been diminished by the accident. This can include physical pain and suffering, emotional distress, lost wages, and more.

To prove this damage, victims must show how their accident has impacted their day-to-day life. This can be done through testimony from family and friends, medical records, employment records, and more. By showing how the accident has negatively impacted your life, you can help to build a strong case for compensation.

Why Should I Hire a Lawyer for an Accident?

After an accident, it’s smart to get in touch with a skilled and knowledgeable lawyer specializing in trips and falls for a few key reasons.

A lawyer can help you navigate the legal system and ensure your rights are protected, which is the first and most important benefit. Cases can be complex, and if you don’t have an experienced attorney, there’s a good chance you won’t receive the full compensation to which you are entitled.

Having legal representation can assist you in constructing a compelling argument. You will need to provide evidence that the property owner was at fault for your accident in order to receive the maximum amount of money that is available to you. You will have a much better chance of success if you seek the assistance of an experienced attorney rather than attempting to handle this on your own because it can be challenging.

An attorney can also represent your interests in negotiations with the insurance company. Insurance companies are notoriously difficult to work with, and they will frequently attempt to underpay you or deny your claim to save money. If you have a lawyer on your side, you will have someone familiar with how to negotiate with the insurance company and get you the money you are entitled to.

What to Search for in a Lawyer Specializing in Injury Cases

There are a few key things that you should look for when searching for an attorney to represent you in an injury case.

It would help if you found someone who has experience working with cases involving people falling down. This is important because these cases can be complicated, and you need someone who knows the ins and outs of the law as well as how to build a strong case to represent you effectively.

You should also look for someone who has a proven record of accomplishments in the field. This entails searching for a lawyer with a track record of achieving significant verdicts or settlements on behalf of their clients. This will instill confidence in you that they know what they are doing and will be able to secure the financial compensation that is rightfully yours.

Look for an attorney with whom you can easily establish a rapport and feel at ease. This entails looking for someone who is quick to respond, open to communication, and simple to have a conversation with. Because you will be working closely with your lawyer throughout the entirety of the case, it is essential that you feel at ease in their presence and have faith in their capabilities.

How Much Does it Cost to Hire a Lawyer for an Accident?

When people think about hiring attorneys, one of the most common concerns is how much it will cost. The good news is that most attorneys specializing in cases work on a contingency basis. This means that you won’t have to pay anything upfront for their services.

Instead, your attorney will take a cut of the settlement or verdict you are awarded as payment for their services. If you are successful in your case, then and only then will you be required to make a payment. This arrangement can be an excellent way to obtain legal assistance without worrying about the associated costs.

Because we operate on a contingency basis here at Madison Law Group, you won’t have to be concerned about any up-front costs. If we are unable to secure a favorable outcome for you in court, we will not collect any payment from you and will instead deduct our fee from the amount of the settlement or verdict that you are awarded.

Get in Touch With Madison Law Group Right Away

Feel free to contact Madison Law Group if you have sustained injuries due to an accident. Our team of dedicated and experienced attorneys is here to assist you in obtaining the compensation you are entitled to for your injuries. To ensure that your rights are upheld and that you are compensated in full for what is rightfully yours, we will exert maximum effort on your behalf to ensure that this happens.

We will be more than happy to sit down with you to talk about your situation, answer any questions you may have, and assist you in deciding the best way to proceed with an injury case.

We know that you are going through a challenging period, and we are here to help make the process as uncomplicated and free of anxiety as possible.

If you are still undecided as to whether or not you should retain the services of an attorney, the following are some additional considerations to take into account:

A lawyer can help you understand your rights and ensure that you are not exploited by the property owner or their insurance company. A lawyer can also help you avoid being exploited.

A lawyer can assist you in compiling evidence and making a case to demonstrate that the property owner was at fault for the accident you were involved in.

You may need the assistance of a lawyer to successfully negotiate with the insurance company and obtain the maximum amount of compensation to which you are entitled.

You won’t need to worry about the mountain of paperwork and legal filings if you hire a lawyer to handle everything.

If you need to go to court, your attorney can represent you and advocate for your rights.

At Madison Law Group, we have a team of skilled and experienced attorneys who can assist you with all of these matters and answer any questions you may have. Throughout the entirety of the case, we will collaborate closely with you, and we will be by your side every step of the way.

Feel free to get in touch with us right away if you are prepared to get started. We will be more than happy to set up a no-cost consultation for you with one of our attorneys, during which we will explain your legal options and rights and what you can anticipate from the legal process.