In personal injury law, slip and falls are a major category which encompass a lot of attorney activity. In general, businesses have a responsibility to maintain a safe environment for their employees, tenants and guests.
A slip and fall case occurs when an individual slips, trips or falls because of a hidden hazard or hazardous conditions. This may be a pothole, a crack in the sidewalk, or a wet floor. If an injured party can prove that the business owner or property owner was negligent in their upkeep of the property, they may be able to collect damages.
Slip and Falls – By the Numbers
Here are some general statistics which you may find interesting. If you have experienced a slip and fall injury, call a personal injury lawyer to discuss your options.
1. Each year, there are in excess of 8 million visits to the emergency room because of falls. Of these, one million are slip and falls which may include negligence.
2. The average cost of a slip and fall is $30,000 to $40,000. According to the CDC, these costs not only place a burden on individual families, but they elevate insurance costs – a fact which impacts our economy and society.
3. Typically, 5% of slip and falls result in broken bones, and severe injuries in up to 30 percent of cases. These injuries cause significant pain, affect your ability to work and function normally, and can cause emotional distress.
4. One-third of adults over 65 fall annually, and the older the individual, the more likely a fall will eventually take place. Additionally, slip and falls are the most frequent cause of injuries on the job for people over 55, and it is estimated that 60% of nursing home residents fall at least once each year. Falls are also responsible for 95 percent of hip fractures, which often necessitate invasive surgery. The pain, suffering, and restricted mobility resulting from a hip fracture can change an individuals life in an instant.
5. But slip and falls are not relegated to the elderly and senior citizens. In fact, they are a leading cause of non-fatal injury for all age groups – except for people between the ages of 10 and 24. Slip and falls are the most common cause of brain injury, which can have lasting effects. Because a brain injury may not be immediately evident, it is important that you are seen by a doctor, diagnosed and treated as soon as possible.
6. Medical costs for injuries due to slip and falls exceed $34 billion annually. Additionally, unexpected medical bills are a frequent cause of bankruptcy, as the costs arose without warning. Slip and fall victims miss an average of 11 days of work, but in more serious cases, the effects of lost work, such as wage loss and productivity, may be much more significant.
7. Only two percent of cases will be settled by a jury. While many people are afraid of pursuing a personal injury case because they are intimidated of the thought of appearing in front of a judge or testifying, the overwhelming amount of cases are settled out of court.
When you are injured in a slip and fall accident, Florida law may provide the right to recover damages from the responsible party. If someone else causes your slip and fall due to negligence, they may owe you compensation.
Slip and falls are common, but that doesn’t mean you should ignore your suffering. Call the attorneys at Probinsky & Cole, and we will meet with you to discuss your Sarasota, Brandon or Orlando personal injury case.
