Though the term “slip-and-fall” may evoke images of inconsequential clumsiness, such accidents can lead to devastating injuries and costly medical bills. A slip-and-fall accident occurs when a person loses his or her balance because of a ground level obstruction or unsafe surface, and falls as a result. Slip-and-falls may be actionable if the accident was caused by the negligence of another and resulted in injuries or financial losses to the victim.
If you or a loved one has been injured in a slip-and-fall in Memphis, you may be entitled to compensation from the negligent party for damages such as medical bills, lost wages and pain and suffering, as well as any other losses which you may have incurred. To find out if you qualify for compensation, simply complete our free, no-obligation case review form today.
Premises Liability
Actionable slip-and-falls typically involve the larger issue of premises liability, which is the branch of law which requires property owners to maintain safe grounds for visitors. When a slip and fall accident occurs, it is sometimes because the property owner failed to maintain his property, or failed to adequately warn of any dangers inherent to his property.
In Tennessee, property owners are commonly found negligent in slip-and-fall cases for failing to repair or warn of the following hazards:
- A wet or slippery floor (if a restaurant, store, or other entity fails to clean up a known spill or has not marked off an area that may be a danger to the public, they may be liable for injuries)
- A sudden dip or rise in the floor level
- Icy or slippery patios
- Unsafe staircases
- Equipment or material left on the ground
- Holes in the ground (potholes)
According to the National Floor Safety Institute (NFSI), slip-and-falls account for over 1 million hospital emergency room visits per year, which accounts for 12 percent of total falls. In addition, slip-and-falls are the leading cause of workers’ compensation claims, the leading cause of occupational injury for those aged 15-24, the cause of half of all accidental deaths in the home, and the source of 15,000 deaths of the elderly each year.
Slip-and-Fall Attorneys
In addition to physical pain and emotional distress, financial demands often accompany slip-and-fall accidents. Medical bills, therapy and rehabilitation costs, and other expenses brought on by the injury can amount to enormous sums, adding to the overall difficulty of the situation. Couple these financial worries with a loss of income due to being unable to work and the victim may find him or herself in a serious dilemma. Fortunately, legal recourse may be available to recover compensation from the party responsible for your fall.
If your slip and fall was the result of another’s negligence, you may be entitled to monetary damages for medical bills, lost wages, pain and suffering and whatever other losses you may have incurred. To find out if you qualify for a monetary recovery, contact one of Morgan & Morgan’s Memphis slip-and-fall lawyers by completing a free, no-obligation case review form today.