Slip & fall injuries are extremely common. Unintentional falls are the leading cause of non-fatal injury in the United States. In fact, unintentional falls accounted for just under seven million emergency room visits in 2021. However, just because slips & falls happen frequently doesn’t make them any less serious. People can sustain some pretty nasty injuries after slipping and falling. So, the severity of a slip & fall incident should never be underestimated.
Slips & Falls are More Common Than You Think: Here’s What You Need to Know
It may take a second to slip or fall, but the impact can have a long-lasting negative effect on your life. Here, we’ll explain what you need to know about slips & falls in Virginia.
Slips & Falls: Key Facts
These key facts from the CDC demonstrate just how common slips & falls can be throughout Virginia and the rest of the United States:
- 3 million older people are treated in emergency departments every year for slips & falls.
- Falls are the leading cause of traumatic brain injuries (TBI).
- 1 in 5 falls causes a serious injury, such as broken bones or head injury.
- More than 800,000 people are hospitalized every year after a slip or fall injury.
Common Conditions Causing Slips & Falls
Slips & falls can happen for many different reasons in a range of circumstances. Here are some of the most common conditions that cause slips & falls:
- Spills that haven’t been cleaned up
- Icy ground that hasn’t been treated with salt
- Loose or poorly fitted flooring
- Cords and cables on the floor
- Objects left on floor surfaces
- Potholes
- Drains or trenches that are not properly covered
- Uneven floor surfaces
- Raised tiles
- Bulging carpets
- Rugs
- Poor lighting
- Steps or stairs without suitable handrails
Common Injuries Caused by Slips & Falls
A wide range of injuries minor and severe can be caused by falls. These include the following:
- Broken wrists, arms, legs, and ankles
- Head injuries, including traumatic brain injuries (TBI)
- Neck and back injuries
- Cuts and lacerations
- Severe bruising
- Sprains
- Torn ligaments
- Broken teeth
- Jaw injuries
- Stretched tendons
- Pulled muscles
- Concussions
Tragically, some falls can even prove fatal. Therefore, it’s essential to take the possibility of a fall or slip seriously.
If you are injured in a slip or fall, you should always report it and seek medical attention. Some injuries are not immediately obvious, so being checked over by a medical professional is advisable.
Seeking Compensation for Slips & Falls in Virginia
Many people assume that they’re immediately entitled to compensation for slip & fall injuries. However, this isn’t always the case.
So, if you’ve sustained an injury after a slip or a fall, what should you do next? Your first step is to get the medical attention and treatment that you immediately need. Next, you should contact a slip and fall accident lawyer to help you seek compensation.
Virginia premises liability law states that property owners have a duty of care to prevent other people becoming injured while on their property. This means that property owners must ensure that any potential slip and fall hazards are dealt with right away before anyone is injured by them.
In a public space, such as a shopping mall or restaurant, the owner must remedy any hazardous conditions as soon as possible. It’s also essential for the owner or occupier of the premises to place warning signs to alert visitors to any unsafe conditions on the premises.
If you are on the property uninvited you may be considered a trespasser. This means the property owner or occupant may not have a duty to you while you’re on their property. Therefore, they do not need to deal with potential slip and trip hazards or place warning signs to alert you. However, the property owner or occupier is not permitted to intentionally cause you injury or harm.
Whatever the reason for your slip or fall, it is best to seek legal advice from a trusted slip & fall lawyer.
Request a Free Consultation With Our Trusted Personal Injury Lawyers
Understanding what happens next after you’ve suffered a slip or fall can be confusing. Trying to understand the Virginia premises liability law without the help of a slip and fall lawyer can be challenging.
Here at Renfro & Renfro, our experienced personal injury lawyers are here to help you get the compensation you deserve. We understand the challenges of recovering from a slip & fall injury and the impact this has on your life. Get in contact with us today to arrange your free consultation and we will be happy to represent you. Alternatively, give us a call at (804) 601-4433.
