It is common for people to slip and fall, and plenty of people get up as if nothing happened. However, there are also many circumstances where a slip and fall accident could result in severe injuries. At Parker & McConkie Personal Injury Lawyers, we can provide you with a Utah slip and fall attorney, and an experienced lawyer from our team will make sure your rights are protected.
If you are involved in a slip and fall mishap, be sure to see medical care as quickly as possible. Then, call us at (801) 845-0440 so we can arrange a consultation with our Utah slip and fall attorneys to discuss your slip and fall claim.
How Can a Slip and Fall Lawyer Help Your Case?
Our Utah slip and fall lawyers assure you that your rights are safeguarded, and your voice is heard. We understand that you probably have numerous haunting thoughts that bother you if you have been involved in a slip and fall mishap, but the top priority on your list has to be your medical recovery.
Make sure to seek medical attention by contacting a doctor and scheduling an appointment as quickly as possible. Even though you might feel fine, you may still have serious injuries that have not yet caused any symptoms. Then, once you are confident that you have a medical plan in place for your recovery, give our personal injury law firm a call to schedule a consultation.
How Do Slip and Fall Accidents Occur?
Slip and fall accidents might happen on someone else’s property in plenty of ways. A few of the most typical culprits of slip and fall accidents include:
- Wet Floor: A wet floor is one of the most typical culprits of a slip and fall accident. You expect the floor to be clean if you enter a local business. If a wet spot was not properly marked, you could step in it, slip, and fall. You could even strike the back of your head on the ground, leading to a serious injury.
- Precipitation: Precipitation, particularly during the winter, is a common cause of slip and fall accidents. For example, there could be snow or ice on the ground, and if the ice has melted and refrozen, it may be very difficult to see. You could slip on the sidewalk and fall, leading to a back or hip injury.
- Property Damage: Property damage is a common cause of slip and fall accidents as well. For example, there might be a missing railing on a staircase, or the stairs might be damaged. This could make it very challenging to keep your balance as you walk up or down the stairs, and a slip-and-fall accident could result.
While injuries are not guaranteed following a slip and fall accident, you must always speak to a doctor following a fall. You must ensure that all of your injuries have been properly diagnosed.
What Are the Common Slip and Fall Injuries?
Even though it is possible for someone to slip, fall, and be okay, plenty of other people may suffer serious injuries. Some of the most frequent injuries that could develop from a slip and fall accident include:
- Head Injury: If you land your head on the floor, you could suffer a serious head injury. This might even include a traumatic brain injury (TBI), but some of the most common examples include a concussion, a cerebral contusion, or a skull fracture.
- Back Injury: You may also suffer a back injury and a slip and fall accident. If you strike your back on the ground, you could suffer from herniated discs or a compression fracture.
- Hip Fracture: If you land on your side, you could suffer a hip fracture or pelvic fracture, which are very serious injuries. Both of these injuries could lead to nerve or blood vessel damage and require surgery.
- Wrist Fracture: Wrist fractures are very common following a slip and fall accident because many people extend their arms to brace themselves before they fall. This could include a fracture of the radius or ulna, both of which could require surgery.
You must remember that these are just a few examples of injuries someone may suffer in a slip-and-fall accident. Some of these injuries could require surgery, a prolonged hospital stay, and a significant recovery process.
What Should I Do Immediately After a Slip, Trip, or Fall Accident?
If you have slipped, tripped, or fallen, there are various critical steps you need to take. They include:
- Call 911: If you feel like you have sustained severe injuries, call 911 to ask emergency personnel to come to the scene. If you feel like you have sustained a serious head injury or an obvious bone fracture, you need emergency medical professionals to come and help you.
- Preserve Evidence: You need to preserve as much evidence as possible. You should document the scene by taking photos. You can take a video if you can do so. It is also a good idea to speak with witnesses who were there when it happened.
- Seek Medical Care: You still need to seek medical care as quickly as possible, even if you do not call 911. You may want to go to local urgent care to get your injuries checked out, but you must also schedule an appointment with your primary care doctor.
- Save Your Documents: You need to save all documentation related to the accident. For example, if you have medical bills or invoices, you need to save them. You should also seek a copy of your medical records. There’s a possibility may need them to support your claim.
- Schedule a Free Case Consultation: You need to schedule a free case consultation with our Utah slip and fall lawyer. We can examine your case to ensure you recover all compensation you are legally entitled to.
If you have inquiries or concerns about injuries you have sustained due to a slip and fall accident, reach out to us to speak to our team.
What Laws Govern Slip and Fall Accident Cases?
If you decide to file a claim following a slip and fall accident, several laws will play a role. They include:
Premises Liability
Premises liability is one of the most preeminent laws governing Utah slip and fall accidents. Property owners are required to take care of it. If we can establish that the property owner did not take appropriate care of it, you could be entitled to compensation.
Statute of Limitations
You need to file your slip and fall accident claim as quickly as possible. In Utah, the statute of limitations is four years. This only means that you have four years from the time of the slip and fall accident to file your claim. It might not be honored if the statute of limitations has expired, even if you have a valid claim.
Comparative Negligence in Utah
Utah is a comparative negligence state. This means that if you are partially blamed for the accident, your potential settlement could be reduced by that percentage. If a judge or jury discovers you are 25% liable for the accident, your settlement could be reduced by 25%.
What Damages Can You Recover in a Slip and Fall Accident Case?
We can recover different types of damages on your behalf following a slip and fall case. They include:
Economic Damages
We can recover economic damages on your behalf. Economic damages refer to anything that comes with a price tag. For example, if you have documentation proving that you incurred medical expenses following the accident, we may be able to recoup indemnity for those medical expenses. Or, if you have lost income because you cannot return to work, we may be able to recover compensation for your lost income.
Non-Economic Damages
While they might be harder to quantify, non-economic damages are no less important. For example, we can recover indemnity for your pain and suffering, particularly if we have documentation from a mental health professional showing that you have mental health issues following the accident.
Furthermore, we can recover compensation for loss of consortium or quality of life, too, if you cannot anymore take part in the activities that previously brought you delight and pleasure, which may be able to recover compensation for that loss.
How Do You Prove Fault in a Slip and Fall Accident Case?
To demonstrate fault in a slip and fall accident case, we need to prove that the property owner did not take appropriate care of that property. Then, we will need to exhibit that the negligence contributed directly to the accident and caused the damages you have suffered. If we can establish all of these elements, we may be able to assist you in recovering compensation.
How Much Does Hire a Slip and Fall Lawyer Cost?
Hiring a slip-and-fall lawyer will not cost you anything. We operate on a contingency basis. This arrangement means that we do not get paid unless we win. Therefore, you do not take on any risk by calling us and scheduling a free case consultation.
Should You Contact a Utah Slip and Fall Accident Lawyer?
Yes. If you endured an injury in any way following a slip and fall accident in Utah, you must call us to make sure your rights are protected.
Why You Need a Slip and Fall Attorney
Several compelling reasons why you need to hire a slip-and-fall attorney include:
Prove Negligence
We can help you establish that the property owner neglected his or her duty to take care of the property. Proving negligence is a critical element in helping you when your case.
Establish Liability
You also need us to establish liability. We need to prove that the property owner is liable and responsible for the injuries you have suffered.
Fight Insurance Companies
You might be tempted to accept the first settlement offer from an insurance company, but it is highly unlikely to be what your case is worth. The insurance company has high-powered lawyers, and you need us to advocate for your rights.
Contact Our Slip and Fall Lawyers at Parker & McConkie Personal Injury Lawyers To Help You With Your Case
Make sure you seek medical care as quickly as possible after a slip and fall accident. Then, count on Parker & McConkie Personal Injury Lawyers to represent you. Contact us today to schedule a case consultation.
