Slip and fall accidents can occur anywhere, anytime. Whether at the workplace, grocery store, while on vacation, or even at school. When you slip and fall, it’s no laughing matter as you can suffer serious injuries, including traumatic brain injury (TBI).
While slips and falls can be genuine accidents, the vast majority are caused by human error or negligence. Negligence is the deliberate failure to take the necessary safety measures to prevent an accident. For example, failure to clean spills results in slips and trips and ultimately catastrophic falls. These types of injuries can be fatal, mild, or destructive, depending on the circumstances. A young person can survive a slip accident, but it can be fatal to an elderly victim.
How Common Are Slips And Falls?
According to the CDC, six in ten US residents aged 18 and above report slips and falls annually, making it highly prevalent. Among the most commonly reported injuries associated with these slips and falls include traumatic brain injury, which accounts for more than Two hundred thirty-five thousand hospital admissions every year, surpassing spinal cord injury hospitalizations by 20%.
A Traumatic Brain Injury is the blow to the head or body causing the brain to jolt and leaving the head traumatized. The CDC also reports that over 80,000-90,000 people sustain permanent disabilities from TBI each year. Falls contributed to 48% TBIs reported in 2014, while 52% were related to other accidents.
How To Know If You Have TBI From a Slip And Fall
Following a slip and fall, it is essential to get checked by a doctor to ascertain if you have sustained a mild or severe TBI. This is necessary even if you don’t feel any pain. After such an injury, it is absolutely critical to be fully aware of the major symptoms of a TBI.They can include:loss of consciousness (this can last for a few minutes or hours, depending on the severity), drowsiness, headache, nausea, and vomiting, losing balance, difficulty sleeping or excessive sleeping, blurred vision, sensitivity to light and sound, and mental abnormalities (such as poor concentration and anxiety).
Can I File A Suit After A Slip And Fall Injury?
Yes. Both federal and state laws grant you the legal rights to seek compensation for your injuries. There are several legal options to take depending on the circumstances. If the accident occurred at the workplace, you could file for the worker’s compensation on your employer’s worker’s coverage. Otherwise, you can sue the property or store owner for their negligence.
If the accident occurred at a private residential building, you could file compensation through the homeowner’s insurance. To have a successful claim, you need to work with a slip and fall attorney to review the case’s circumstances and handle the legalities on your behalf.
But above all, you need substantial evidence of the accident and your injuries to prove that the liable parties were genuinely negligent. As such, photographic evidence, and medical records, plus police reports, are crucial to your claim.
Consult A Personal Injury Attorney
If you or someone you know has suffered a serious brain injury after a slip and fall, you should talk to a slip and fall attorney experienced in these cases as soon as possible. This will enable you to gather the necessary evidence and file a claim in time. The attorney will handle the legal processes for you as you focus on treatment. This will ensure your rights are protected, and you receive the compensation you deserve.
