A slip or trip and fall can happen to anyone. You’re walking and focusing on where you’re headed, when your foot slips out from under you or the front of your shoe catches something and you lose your balance. You crash to the floor or sidewalk and start to feel pain and confusion at what caused your fall. You expect some bruising and maybe some soreness from the fall, but don’t give it much more thought. Over the next few days, you notice the pain doesn’t go away, or it could worsen. If a falling accident has caused your injuries, you may be eligible for compensation. When filing a claim, you’ll want professional help at your side. An Ottawa slip and fall lawyer from Schweickert Ganassin Krzak Rundio, LLP could provide you with the legal guidance you need.
Many innocent people are hurt because of negligence. Our firm is here to support those who were wrongfully injured. We’ll fight for you to get the compensation you deserve so you can have peace of mind during your recovery.
What Kinds of Trips and Slips Affect Workers?
Slip and fall accidents can happen at your place of work. Those who work in health care, food, and construction may be more at risk than those who work in other industries, but occupational injuries can affect anyone when there aren’t safety measures put in place to protect employees.
The Bureau of Labor Statistics released the following information about workers and fatal slip and fall accidents in 2017. Instances of victims falling to a lower level accounted for 713 fatalities. Collapsing structure or equipment caused 48 fatalities and 85 fatalities happened because of falling through an opening or a surface. The bulk of these tragedies, at 562 fatalities, happened because of other reasons for falling to a lower level.
There were 151 fatal falls that happened on the same level. Tripping and slipping on the same level caused 31 and 21 fatalities respectively, and falling on an object or against an object caused 9 fatalities. In some cases, there were fatal fall accidents that happened while the person was sitting, which caused 4 fatalities.
But these accidents don’t only happen in the workplace—slip and fall hazards can harm anyone. Some common causes of fall accidents include spilled liquids that pool on the floor, carpets that are torn, ripped, or aren’t anchored to the floor, loose railings, cracked walkways, or clutter in the main areas where people walk.
Those in charge of the property should take measures to fix these safety hazards or block them off so others can avoid the area. Failing to act puts others in danger. If a property owner’s negligence is what caused your accidents, our Ottawa slip and fall lawyer may help you hold them liable.
These accidents are often sudden and people rarely have time to react before the fall. Let’s take a look at the types of injuries that can occur because of a slip and fall accident.
Slip and Fall Injuries and Their Consequences
After a falling accident, you may be tempted to jump back up and walk it off. It can be embarrassing to fall in public and it’s common to want to brush it off and move past it as soon as possible. However, your injuries may be more severe than you think. Symptoms may develop over time. That’s why it’s so important to get a medical evaluation after your accident. A doctor will be able to identify the injuries and start treating you.
A slip and fall accident can result in a number of injuries. One major concern is falling and hitting one’s head, which could result in a traumatic brain injury. If your loved one has suffered a TBI from a slip and fall, you should speak to our slip and fall attorneys in Ottawa to talk about your options.
Falls can also break bones, injure the spinal cord, and cause cuts, bruises, and sprains. Some people may need emergency transport, immediate medical attention, and hospitalization while others may be able to take themselves to the doctor. When an injury is serious enough for hospitalization, the patient may be there for an indeterminate amount of time. They could require a lot of time to heal. However, those with seemingly minor injuries may still need to take some time to heal as well.
One of the most stressful factors after an injury can include work pressure. Victims may worry about the amount of work they’re missing and may be thinking about their medical bills and how they’re going to afford them. While work stress can drive people to try to go back before they’re healed, working through the pain can undo healing progress and also make the injury worse.
If you return to work before your injuries heal, the insurance company may argue that you can’t recover those additional medical costs because you didn’t listen to your doctor’s treatment plan. You should be able to recover without worry so you aren’t caught in these difficult situations.
Our Firm Can Bring Relief
Our attorneys in Ottawa understand how uncertain this time can be for you, but that’s why we’re here. We’re going to fight for you to get a result that will help you with the financial losses of your accident. Your compensation can help you cover your medical expenses, including what care you may need in the future.
If you or a loved one suffered injuries from a slip and fall accident, get in touch with our firm today. We’re prepared to meet with you in a no-obligation, free consultation and talk about the case. Our slip and fall attorneys can help you understand the details of your case and provide you with options on how to move forward.
