Special care should always be taken to protect the elderly from suffering serious and preventable injuries, including keeping premises free of hazards. Unfortunately, when property owners and occupiers fail to take care of their premises, slip and fall accidents are bound to happen, causing severe physical harm to older individuals.
If you or a loved one have sustained injuries in a slip and fall accident, you may have legal options. Speak with a slip and fall lawyer right away for support.
Understanding Slip and Fall Accidents
A slip and fall accident can happen anywhere at any time, often without warning. A serious fall can result in injuries that affect victims in the short and long term.
While slip and falls can happen at any location, some of the most common places these accidents occur include:
- Hotels and resorts
- Apartment complexes
- Office buildings
- Grocery and retail stores
- Shopping malls
- Stadiums and arenas
- Amusement and water parks
- Airports
- Parking lots and garages
Slip and fall accidents are often the result of wet, slippery floors. However, some of the other causes of falls include:
- Tripping hazards, including exposed cords or wiring
- Loose floorboards
- Lifted, wrinkled rugs and carpets
- Potholes
- Cracked, uneven sidewalks
- Missing or defective handrails
- Inadequate lighting
- Inclement weather conditions
A slip and fall accident can happen to anyone, but some individuals, like children and the elderly, are more at risk. Regardless of a victim’s age or health status, a bad fall can have serious repercussions.
Why Slip and Falls Are More Dangerous for the Elderly Population
A slip and fall can result in severe injuries to anyone, but the elderly population regularly sustains much worse injuries. Older individuals often suffer from health issues, including osteoporosis, that can make fall injuries more impactful and harder to recover from.
The older population is more fragile, and it can take longer for elderly individuals to heal from their injuries. In the worst cases, elderly people are unable to fully recover from their fall injuries, and some even pass away as a result of the physical impact of their fall.
Seeking Justice for an Elderly Individual’s Slip and Fall
Property owners and occupiers owe others a duty to keep their premises safe and free from hazards that could potentially harm visitors and guests. When owners and tenants fail to uphold their duty, falls are more likely to happen, and these individuals may face liability for their negligence.
If your loved one suffers a fall, it’s essential to investigate the cause of the accident. When a fall could have otherwise been prevented with care and attention from the property owner or occupier, you may have the opportunity to pursue justice and compensation.
Depending on the location of the fall, you may begin by filing an insurance claim with the responsible party’s property insurer. You may have the opportunity to obtain fair financial recovery through an insurance claim, but insurance companies are known for denying claims or attempting to settle for less than the claim is worth.
If the party is uninsured or the insurance claim doesn’t yield beneficial results, you may file a personal injury lawsuit. A lawsuit allows you to hold the responsible party accountable for their wrongdoing and pursue rightful compensation.
Potential Compensation for a Slip and Fall Accident
Compensation for a slip and fall is based on the specifics of the incident and resulting injuries and losses. Damages can cover both the economic and non-economic losses caused by a slip and fall.
Some of the damages an elderly individual may be entitled to after a slip and fall include:
- Past and future medical expenses
- Therapy and rehabilitation costs
- Pain and suffering
- Disability
- Emotional distress
A slip and fall lawyer can review certain factors after the incident to determine the value of the claim, including the severity of the resulting injuries, how the injuries have affected the victim’s life, and the mental and emotional repercussions of the injuries.
Taking Legal Action With the Help of a Slip and Fall Attorney
If you or an elderly loved one has suffered injuries in a slip and fall accident, do not hesitate to take action right away and consult with an experienced attorney. A lawyer can provide quality guidance and support and fight for the best possible case result.
In its decades of existence, Schrier Law Group has proudly recovered over half a billion dollars for victims injured by negligent parties. We’re here to help you and protect your rights to favorable compensation. Contact our firm today to get started.
