Unfortunately, serious slip and fall injuries are a very common occurrence in the United States. In fact, according to the National Floor Safety Institute, falls are the second leading cause of unintentional injury-related deaths in people over the age of 65. Similarly, the risk of falling increases with each decade of life.
What’s more, half of all older adults (aged 65 and above) who are admitted to the hospital for a hip fracture from a fall are unable to return home or live independently after the fracture.
If you have been injured in a slip and fall accident, it is important to understand what factors will be considered in your case. In this blog post, we will discuss the key factors that must be proven for a successful slip and fall personal injury claim.
Negligence
The first factor that must be proven is that the property owner was negligent. This means that the property owner failed to take reasonable care to prevent or remedy a dangerous condition on their property. To prove negligence, your attorney will need to show that the property owner knew or reasonably should have known about the dangerous condition and failed to take action to mitigate it.
For example, if the property owner was made aware of a dead lightbulb above an outdoor staircase and failed to change it within a reasonable period of time, they may be held liable for your injuries if you slip and fall as a result of being unable to see in the dark.
Causation
The second factor that must be proven is causation. This means your attorney will need to show that the property owner’s negligence was the cause of your injuries.
For example, if you slipped and fell on a wet floor, your attorney would need to show that the property owner knew or should have known about the wet floor and failed to take action. Similarly, simply placing a “wet floor” sign on a wet floor does not automatically mean a property owner cannot be held liable for damages as a result of a slip and fall accident. However, these cases can be relatively nuanced, so it is important to speak with our skilled personal injury attorney from Dore Law Group, PLLC about the specific details of your case.
Damages
The third factor that must be proven is that you have sustained actual damages as a result of the incident. This means that your attorney will need to show that you suffered physical injuries due to the property owner’s negligence.
For example, if you slipped and fell on a wet floor, your attorney would need to show that you suffered bruises, broken bones, or other injuries as a result of the fall.
Note: The psychological harm you have suffered as a result of the accident may also play a part in the amount of damages you are able to recover for your losses.
We Can Help Injured Slip and Fall Victims
If you have been injured in a slip and fall accident that wasn’t your fault, it is important to understand the factors that will be considered in your case.
If you can prove that the property owner was negligent and that their negligence was the cause of your injuries, you may be able to recover compensation for your medical expenses, lost wages, and pain and suffering.
Don’t delay—contact our experienced personal injury attorney here at Dore Law Group, PLLC to discuss your options today. Our team is ready and willing to do everything possible to help you now. We have helped many others in similar situations, and we will do all that is in our power to help you too.
Give our Kent personal injury attorney at Dore Law Group, PLLC a call today at (253) 236-3888 to discuss your case.
