Have You Become Hurt in a Fall? Here are Your Rights
Slip and falls are more common than many people realize. According to the CDC, over a million people suffer from slip and fall injuries each year. When someone is injured in a slip and fall because of a negligent property owner, they may have the right to file an injury claim and receive compensation. Injured victims need to be aware of their rights for getting legal help, filing a claim, and seeking fair compensation. With this guide, injured victims will be informed.
What Is a Slip and Fall Accident?
When someone is hurt in a fall , multiple reasons can be to blame. Often, a slip and fall accident occurs because of a hazardous property condition. It is important to note that not all slip and falls warrant taking legal action. To learn about their rights and legal options for recourse, injured slip and fall victims should consider meeting with a personal injury attorney.
Common Causes of Slip and Fall Accidents
Multiple reasons can cause a slip and fall. Injured victims need to be aware of the possible reasons so they will know if they have a legal claim for their injuries. The following are some of the most common reasons people slip and fall.
- Wet or greasy floors
- Freshly mopped floors
- Ice, snow, or rain
- Unmaintained structures
- Worn or damaged carpeting
- Broken tile or cement
- Debris on walkways
- Cracked sidewalks or damaged parking lots
It is important to note that property owners have a legal obligation to visitors to keep their properties safe. If a property owner does not maintain their property and an accident occurs, they can be held responsible for the damages caused.
What are the Rights of the Victim?
Injured slip and fall victims need to be aware of the rights they hold. One of the major rights a victim holds is the right to seek compensation for their injuries and damages that directly resulted from a slip and fall caused by a negligent property owner. If the property owner knew or should have known of the danger and did not warn visitors, the property owner can be held liable for any resulting damages.
Another right of injured victims is the right to hire a personal injury attorney. Although not all slip and falls warrant legal action, getting help from an attorney is essential when serious injuries have occurred. Many attorneys offer free consultation appointments to allow individuals to learn more about their rights and the steps they can take after a serious slip and fall accident has occurred.
Schedule a Consultation Appointment Right Away
When filing a slip and fall accident claim, injured individuals must know the statute of limitations in their state. This statute limits the amount of time a victim has to file a claim. The time period will vary by state and sometimes by the type of injury case.
Scheduling a consultation appointment is an important first step in the process of seeking fair compensation. At a consultation appointment, injured victims can ask questions of the attorney and learn the steps that will be involved in the process of pursuing compensation.
Although hiring an attorney will not guarantee a winning outcome, those who hire an attorney are often better able to prove liability. After a slip and fall accident has occurred, time is of the essence. Getting legal help right away is essential.
