Posted on Thursday, July 16th, 2020 at 4:52 pm
Falls are one of the common causes of unintentional injuries in the United States. Slip and fall accidents can result in multiple injuries. Some fall injuries can be severe and life-threatening.
Common injuries caused by falls include:
- Traumatic Brain Damage
- Fractures and Broken Bones
- Skull Fractures
- Concussions
- Whiplash and Neck Injuries
- Sprains and Strains
- Bruises and Contusions
- Spinal Cord Injuries and Paralysis
- Back and Shoulder Injuries
- Death
Falls from very high places can increase the risk of permanent impairments and disabilities. Many victims of slip and fall accidents require surgery, hospitalizations, and physical therapy. Depending on the type of injury, a person may also require in-home health care and personal care. In the case of disabilities, the personal care could be a permanent need.
Financial damages can be very high in a slip and fall accident claim. A person that requires ongoing medical care or personal care may be unable to work. The lost income and care costs over a lifetime could total millions of dollars.
Common damages in slip and fall accidents include:
- Past and future medical treatment and care
- Past and future loss of income
- In-home health care and personal care
- Decreases in earning potential
- Pain and suffering
- Loss of quality of life
Because your fall could result in significant damages, you need to take steps to protect your legal rights. Three things that every accident victim should do immediately are:
1. Report the Fall to the Property Owner
Immediately report the accident to the property owner. If the property owner was negligent, the owner might be liable for your damages under a premises liability lawsuit.
If possible, take pictures or make a video of the accident scene immediately after your fall. The owner could make repairs or changes after you leave. Unless you have witnesses who can testify as to the condition of the property, your pictures might be the best evidence you have to prove what caused your fall.
2. Seek Immediate Medical Attention
You must document your injuries for a slip and fall claim. You must prove that the fall caused your injuries before you can recover compensation for a claim. Therefore, seeing a doctor as soon as possible protects your health and your legal rights.
Delays in medical treatment are a common reason why insurance companies deny and undervalue accident claims. The insurance company uses the delay in medical care to argue that the fall did not cause your injury.
3. Seek Legal Advice from a Personal Injury Lawyer As Quickly As Possible
Our Sacramento slip and fall lawyers investigate your slip and fall to gather evidence proving fault and liability. Evidence can disappear or be destroyed. Hiring an attorney soon after your fall can help prevent that from happening.
Also, having an experienced slip and fall attorney means that you have someone to provide guidance and support as you seek compensation for your claim. Your attorney provides sound legal advice and instructions for avoiding errors and mistakes that can hurt your injury claim. Your lawyer handles all aspects of your claim, including calculating the maximum value for your injury claim and protecting you from aggressive and unfair insurance tactics.
Contact a Sacramento Slip and Fall Attorney for Help
If you are injured in a slip and fall accident, do not make an error that could result in losing your injury claim. Contact The Tiemann Law Firm at (916) 999-9000 or by visiting our website to schedule a free consultation with one of our Sacramento slip and fall lawyers.
