Aleksey Katmissky | October 17, 2020 | Slip & Fall Accidents

Every year millions of Americans fall either at home, on the job, or while they are out and about. While not all of these falls result in injuries, nearly 20 percent do cause serious injuries, many of which include fractured bones and head trauma. 

With falls being this common, it is good to know more information about what causes them and what you can do if you are injured as a result of a fall. Often, a fall is the result of the negligence of another party. If you slipped and fell on a surface unexpectedly and another party failed to keep the surface free of water, ice, or maintained in such a way as to limit slippage and falls, then you might have a slip and fall case.

Another reason many people fall is because they trip over something. It may be a piece of work equipment an employee placed where they shouldn’t have or exposed electrical cords a homeowner left in a high traffic area. In this instance, a person might sustain injuries from the fall and would have a trip and fall case.

While there are definitely similarities between the two types of falls, there are also important differences. Here is a closer look at both slip and fall and trip and fall accidents.

Slip and Fall Accidents

Slip and fall accidents are extremely common and can occur anywhere. As noted above, if the fall was the result of another person’s negligence, you might have a strong case that would fall under the premises liability category of tort law. The types of injuries you could incur from a slip and fall injury include:

  • Ankle injuries
  • Shoulder injuries
  • Back injuries
  • Head injuries
  • Brain injuries
  • Spinal cord injuries

With slip and fall accidents it is most likely that a person will fall backward. This backward fall leads to the distinct types of injuries listed above, many of which can be quite serious. 

If you have experienced a slip and fall accident and were injured as a result, the first thing you should do is seek appropriate medical care. As you do so, make sure to take notes and keep records of what your doctors and nurses say, how much treatment has cost you, and any emotional pain and suffering you have endured. 

It is also crucial that you hire a qualified personal injury lawyer. A good personal injury lawyer will further investigate your case to calculate and determine how much the other party or their insurance company might owe you in damages. Your lawyer will also help you write a demand letter where you formally seek compensation and then handle all aspects of your settlement or, should it become necessary, your trial.

Trip and Fall Accidents

While there are many similarities between slip and fall and trip and fall accidents, there are also key differences. For example, in trip and fall accidents a person most likely will fall forward. This can result in a distinct set of injuries, including:

  • Bone fractures
  • Hand injuries
  • Thumb injuries
  • Wrist injuries
  • Cuts 

Injuries suffered in trip and fall accidents can be just as serious as injuries that result from slip and fall accidents, and in some cases more so. However, the steps you should take if you are injured in a trip and fall accident are the same as if you are injured in a slip and fall accident.

After seeking medical attention and documenting your injuries and out-of-pocket costs, it is imperative that you contact a seasoned personal injury lawyer. It is also worth mentioning that you should not make any official statements without your lawyer being present. You should certainly never admit it was your fault that you fell or talk to an insurance adjuster on your own.

Personal injury lawyers are experienced in handling these matters and will better know what to say and how to deal with insurance adjusters. 

If you have been injured in a slip and fall or trip and fall accident, you do not have to navigate your treatment and recovery on your own. Neither should you have to pay for any costs related to the treatment of those injuries. Let a personal injury lawyer assist you in seeking the compensation you are due and help you get back on your feet.