Most slip and fall accidents are fraught with pain and suffering. Victims and their families are often left wondering what went wrong, how the accident could have been prevented, and who can be held responsible for the accident and injuries that followed. Without a correct understanding of the law and their rights, victims and their families can be taken advantage of, convinced that they either have no recourse for the accident or injuries, or that they are entitled to far less compensation for damages they suffered than is actually the case.
If you were the victim of a slip and fall accident, your injuries may not be limited to physical pain, but could also encompass financial, emotional, and mental anguish that you won’t be able to “sleep off” or get over on your own.
Injures could also result in lengthy time off work. This means that you are going to need assistance in order to get the help you need from the person, persons, or company whose negligence led to your injuries and problems that followed. For the right help right now, make one call to the caring, compassionate attorneys at the Breyer Law Offices, P.C. can make all the difference.
What Exactly is a Phoenix Slip and Fall Accident?
When you think about what it means to be involved in a slip and fall accident, you may be thinking of that time you went on vacation to a place where there was ice on the sidewalk. If you were walking in front of a business or a home when you fell, you might have legal recourse against the person or entity that didn’t shovel the sidewalk before it turned to ice. But what about when you’re in Arizona and you fall? What is considered to be a common slip and fall accident in this state?
In Arizona, common slip and falls are those incidents when the person involved receives an injury. If you have recently been involved in an accident or you know someone who was injured after slipping and falling, you’ll quickly find that hindsight is 20-20.
Check out some of these common slip and fall accident precursors and you’ll likely realize just how often you encounter them, and how any may have contributed to your accident and injuries:
Packaging, boxes, or other debris on the walkways. Walkways aren’t always in the direct line of sight. Risk that you will trip on that debris, fall, and sustain injuries, is very high. Slippery floors pose a risk all on their own, and for that matter, any new and different type of flooring can pose a risk to you if you don’t walk on it regularly.
Slippery or slick floors and walkways. We all know that there are places that get ice and snow, and if ever you find yourself somewhere really cold, like Denver or Salt Lake City, you’ll be sure to be on your guard. In Arizona, we don’t really consider the potential hazard of the freshly mopped floor in the produce section at the grocery store, or the spot where the oil leak was recently cleaned up at the local gas station. The truth is that these types of hazards are some of the most common things that lead people to slip and fall. Many people are seriously injured on floors where there are spills.
Poorly maintained flooring, walkways, escalators, and staircases. Poor maintenance is everywhere. If you fall on a poorly maintained floor it’s not necessarily your fault. After all, when you go to the store, you’re not searching for problems, you’re searching for goods. That means you’re not going to notice the loose tile, torn carpet, cracked hardwood floor, or other issues.
When you know what the common hazards are that could lead you to be involved in a serious slip and fall accident that leads to injuries, or worse, to death, you may become more aware, and thus more likely to be involved in an accident. But what happens when you’ve already been involved in an accident and you’re already hurt?
What Happens to You and Your Life After a Phoenix Slip and Fall Accident?
After being involved in a Phoenix slip and fall accident it is common, and totally normal, to worry about what is going to happen to you and to your family. It’s okay to wonder whether or not you’ll be able to go back to work, pay your bills, take care of your children or pets, and more. Knowing that it is normal, doesn’t make it easy, but knowing you’re not alone can make it less frustrating and lonely when you are in this situation. Depending on the severity of your fall, some of the most common, yet serious injuries you may have to deal with in the coming months and years include the following:
Back, neck, and spinal cord injuries. Depending on how you fall, how far you fall, or how hard you fall, you could sustain a serious injury to your back, your neck, or your spinal cord. These types of injuries have the potential to follow you and cause you pain for your entire life, even if the fall seemed simple and you are otherwise fine. Some individuals may even experience paralysis as a result of slipping and falling, if an injury to the neck, back, or spinal cord is sustained at the time of your fall.
Torn ligaments, tendons, and muscles. Falls always pose a significant risk that you will tear a tendon or a ligament, or do other significant damage to your muscles. It’s not easy to deal with these types of injuries and they can follow you for years. Depending on how active you are, you may notice decreased mobility for the rest of your life and a propensity for injury to the same area. Follow up injuries to the same area of the body may be even more serious than the original injury.
Injuries to your skull, brain, or head. When you fall there’s a serious risk that you will hit your head during your accident. Head injuries and traumatic brain injuries (TBI) may be some of the most difficult injuries to come back from, and they have a tendency to impact your motor skills, speech, memory, moods, and ability to function on your own. Some head injuries are so serious that they cause a need for lifelong care from a third party, leaving victims feeling as though they are a burden to the people they love.
Broken bones. Fractures and broken bones are likely to cause you inconvenience and pain for several months or more. Depending on the severity of the break, you may expect years of pain and suffering due to requiring multiple surgeries and months of recovery in between procedures. Broken bones may also permanently limit your mobility, disqualify you from certain jobs, and make life and your regular activities more difficult in general. Without proper treatment, your injuries may become permanent.
What Can You Do to Get Your Life Back After a Slip and Fall Accident?
Every slip and fall accident has risks associated with it. If you were injured due to the negligence of another person, or a company, you have rights and deserve help in getting your life back on track. Contact a skilled personal injury attorney to get help understanding your case and your rights. The right attorney will thoroughly research your accident to build a case that will help you get the compensation needed for your complete recovery.
The best thing to do is to contact an attorney who will help you get fair recompense. When you work with the Husband and Wife Law Team, it is our goal to help you get compensation that will put you in the same position as prior to the accident.
Some of common compensation you’ll receive in a settlement for personal injury include:
Coverage for your medical expenses related to the accident including, but not limited to ambulance services, surgery, emergency room expenses, hospital stays, doctor visits, medications, physical therapy, and more.
Payment for in-home care, should you require additional assistance with day-to-day activities for either a short period of time or over the long term.
Replacement of your lost wages while you are unable to work during your recovery, and especially if your inability to work becomes permanent.
Compensation for your pain and suffering, and other intangible injuries and damages.
If you were injured after slipping and falling due to someone else’s negligent actions, then you may need help from a skilled attorney today. Get help now by contacting The Husband and Wife Attorneys.