Slip and fall accidents can happen to anyone at any time, and under almost any condition—but all too often, it is due to negligence that has led to unsafe conditions. Falls can be devastating, leaving you unable to work, and drowning in medical bills. Seniors are especially at risk—one in four adults over the age of 65 in the United States falls each year, and one out of five such falls can result in a serious injury.
If you have been injured as a result of someone else’s negligence, contact one of our slip-and-fall accident attorneys today for a free consultation. We have a longstanding history of success in helping clients who have suffered slip and fall injuries due to unsafe conditions. The Henry Law Firm will stand by you and protect your future during these uncertain times.
SLIP AND FALL FACTS
What is the definition of a slip and fall?
“Slip and fall” or “trip and fall” are terms used for a personal injury case in which a person slips or trips, injuring themselves on someone else’s property, such as a public sidewalk or street, a place of business, or a private home. Such incidents are usually categorized among “premises liability” cases.
Can you claim financial compensation for falling?
Yes. If you fall on someone else’s property and are seriously injured as a result of their negligence, you can make a claim for compensation—for example, if you slip and fall in the workplace, where employers are obligated to provide employees a legal duty of care, or in a place of business where a hazard—such as a wet floor—was not indicated to customers. Premises liability claims can help you pay for lost wages, medical expenses, pain, suffering, and other damages.
WHAT IS THE STATUTE OF LIMITATIONS FOR A SLIP AND FALL IN OHIO?
A statute of limitations is the maximum amount of time in which you can file your lawsuit after suffering an injury. Under Ohio law—Rev. Code § 2305.10(A)—the statute of limitations for personal injury claims, including slip and fall claims, is 2 years.
YOU DESERVE REPUTABLE REPRESENTATION
WHO IS AT FAULT?
Slip and fall claims cover a wide range of accidents or incidents arising from unsafe conditions caused by negligence. This could include situations such as slipping on slick surfaces, stepping into a hole, or falling due to improperly or unmarked hazards.
Property owners are legally obligated to provide a safe environment for guests and visitors—however, they may fail to fulfill this obligation. A property owner who does not make necessary repairs to hazards routinely inspects for potential hazards or warns guests and visitors of hazards could be liable for injuries sustained on the property. Such injuries could be caused by:
- Spills on a floor without proper warnings
- Poor lighting
- Torn carpeting or damaged floors
- Faulty or missing handrails
- Poorly constructed sidewalks
- And more
In order to prove negligence, you will need experienced slip and fall lawyers by your side. The Henry Law Firm will go above and beyond to better understand your case, seek damages, build a solid claim, and get you the compensation you need.
COMMON TYPES OF SLIP AND FALL INJURIES
Slips and falls can cause a wide range of injuries or severe damages. These include, but are not limited to:
- Broken bones and fractures
- Facial and dental injuries
- Concussions and traumatic brain injuries (TBIs)
- Severe lacerations
- Bone, ligament, and tendon injuries
- Spinal cord and neck injures
- Chronic pain
BROKEN BONES AND FRACTURES
Slip and fall accidents can break bones. Though the elderly are especially prone to bone fractures, accident victims of any age can break bones anywhere in their bodies. Hip fractures and associated complications are especially dangerous—but broken bones elsewhere may also require prolonged treatment and recovery.
FACIAL AND DENTAL INJURIES
Facial injuries occur from the impact on the ground or another object while falling. Broken teeth, severe cuts, eye injuries, broken noses, and jaw fractures may occur. Facial and dental injuries are often concurrent with a concussion or other traumatic brain injury.
CONCUSSIONS AND TRAUMATIC BRAIN INJURIES (TBIs)
Concussion may result from a slip and fall victim’s head colliding with the ground, or a significant shaking of the brain in the absence of direct impact. Typical concussion symptoms include confusion, headache, dizziness, nausea, tinnitus, and cognitive impairment. Loss of consciousness can but does not always occur.
Slips and falls may also cause other, more severe forms of TBI, including epidural, intracerebral, subdural hematoma, intraventricular or subarachnoid hemorrhage, coup-contrecoup injuries, diffuse axonal injury, and basilar, depressed, or linear skull fractures.
SEVERE CUTS AND LACERATIONS
Falling and landing on sharp metal, broken glass, and other dangerous, sharp, and abrasive objects or surfaces can result in severe cuts and lacerations. Such injuries require stitches, are at risk of infection, and may damage nearby nerves, muscles, and connective tissue.
SPINAL CORD AND NECK INJURIES
Neck and spinal cord injury (SCI) caused by falling include vertebral fracture, disc slippage and herniation, nerve impingement, ligamentous damage, neck fracture, and other painful, debilitating injuries. SCI injuries vary widely in symptom and effect—from pain and lost mobility, to partial or full paralysis.
BONE, LIGAMENT, AND TENDON INJURIES
Slips and falls can place significant stress on bones, ligaments, and tendons—from blunt force impact to the twisting and stretching of soft tissue beyond normal limits—resulting in fractures, sprains, strains, tears, and nerve damage. Wrist, elbow, and shoulder injuries caused by bracing oneself during a fall are especially common. Treatment ranges from rest, ice, compression, and elevation, to surgery and rehabilitative therapy for more severe injuries.
CHRONIC PAIN
Though not an injury in and of itself, chronic pain that results from slipping and falling can be debilitating. Many victims live with injury-related pain for years to decades, leaving them in considerable physical discomfort and emotional stress, unable to work or enjoy life.
While some slip and fall injuries may be immediately apparent, other symptoms could take days to present fully. If you believe that you may be injured as a result of a slip and fall, seek medical treatment right away. Injuries could get worse over time, even resulting in permanent damage if ignored.
WE’LL TAKE CARE OF YOU
THE HENRY LAW FIRM IS HERE TO HELP
We house a dedicated and compassionate team of legal professionals who understand the difficult road ahead for those struggling with slip and fall injuries. Insurance companies or property owners may try to make you settle quickly. Don’t. Reach out to our office to speak with an experienced slip and fall attorney.
We will work with you closely to ensure that you receive the slip and fall settlements you deserve. Whether for lost wages, medical treatment, and more—we’ll be by your side. We can employ strategies that maximize insurance coverage and exposure through a deep understanding of medical concepts and the law.
OUR SLIP-AND-FALL LAWYERS HAVE TWO PRIORITIES
1. To ensure that you receive the best available treatment, helping you recover from your injury
2. To maximize the amount you recover for your lost wages, pain and suffering, medical treatment, and any other aspect of your damage
Slip and fall cases are common, but that does not mean they are easy to win. The Henry Law Firm has gained favorable results in countless cases for our clients, navigating the complexities of each unique case and crafting strategies for success. If you or someone you love has been injured in a slip and fall accident, contact us today for a free consultation. We will walk you through your case and possible strategies—and answer any questions you may have. We’ll build a strong case against the responsible parties and aggressively pursue optimal results.