Charlotte Personal Injury Attorney Matt Arnold answers the question: “What if a loved one dies from the injuries sustained in a serious accident while the case is pending?”
Slip and fall accidents are more common than you may realize. Millions of people a year visit the emergency room or urgent care due to injuries sustained in a fall. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), there were 39,433 unintentional fall deaths in 2019 alone. Falls can happen almost anyplace and at any time. If a fall occurs due to someone’s negligence, that person may be liable for costs associated with recovery.
There are many causes for slip and fall accidents. Uneven floors, slippery rugs, wet or icy pavement, cracks or broken sidewalks, obstructions, and more can cause someone to fall. Falls can happen indoors or outdoors and they can occur on public or private property. Most falls can be prevented. Many falls happen at stores, restaurants, parking lots, and other similar places. The premises owner is required to provide a safe environment for employees and the public. They must ensure that their property is safe and if not they must take immediate action to resolve the problem to prevent injuries.
Types of Slip and Fall Accidents
Slip and fall accidents are generally categorized into two main classifications including same level falls and elevated falls. Same level falls occur when you trip or fall while walking or standing. Elevated falls happen when you fall to a different space, such as falling on stairs or on a ladder. Both types of falls can result in injuries, however, those who suffer elevated falls typically end up with the most serious injuries.
Injuries Caused by Falls
Most people who fall are not seriously hurt, but sometimes, the injuries are more severe. Those who are elderly are most likely to suffer a serious injury or fatality in a fall. The common injuries include broken bones, sprains, spinal injuries, head trauma, and contusions. Of these, head injuries are often the most serious. A hard hit to the head could result in traumatic brain injury, which can be life-threatening. A broken hip could be debilitating, particularly to a senior citizen who may require surgery and a lengthy recovery period.
Who is Liable for Slip and Fall Accidents?
When you slip and fall you may feel embarrassed and you might think that it is your own fault. While you may be responsible, in many instances, the fall was the result of negligence on the part of someone else. If you fall in a store or restaurant, for instance, the owner’s negligence could have caused your fall. The floor could have been left wet and slippery or there could be damage to the floor that could cause someone to trip. You may be due compensation for the damages due to your injuries including medical costs, lost wages, pain and suffering, and more.
If you were hurt in a slip and fall, speak to an attorney as soon as possible. Our team of experienced attorneys will discuss your injuries with you and gather evidence to determine the cause of the incident. We will work on your behalf to get you the money you deserve for your injury. Call (704) 370-2828 to receive a video, phone or in-person consultation with our lawyers to explore your legal options or fill out our contact form. Now taking cases throughout North Carolina with offices in Uptown Charlotte, Mooresville and Monroe.
The skilled personal injury attorneys at Arnold & Smith, PLLC are dedicated to maximizing the financial recovery and obtaining justice for every personal injury client injured by another party’s negligence. The issues our personal injury clients may be facing include, but are not limited to, slip and fall injuries, wrongful death, product liability, catastrophic injuries, dog bite claims, car and truck accident injuries, motorcycle injuries, traumatic brain injury (TBI), nursing home negligence, spinal cord injury, boating accidents, and defective medical device injury. Our personal injury attorneys understand the devastating impact such an injury can have on a person’s life, and that the effects so often go beyond physical pain and suffering. The personal injury attorneys at Arnold & Smith, PLLC are dedicated to helping clients determine the strength of their claims, and to aggressively pursuing the means necessary to achieve the best possible end result for each client’s particular situation.
Source:
https://www.cdc.gov/nchs/fastats/accidental-injury.htm
https://www.webmd.com/healthy-aging/news/20190604/study-older-americans-are-dying-more-from-falls#1
Image Credit:
https://www.freeimages.com/photo/warning-wet-1531769
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