Slip and fall or trip and fall accidents are very common and they can lead to serious injuries. In the United States, approximately 8.9 million visits are made to the emergency department as a result of unintentional injuries caused by falls.
There is a clear distinction between a trip and fall accident and a slip and fall accident. It is important to differentiate the two types of accidents so that you can build a successful lawsuit.
Although most people use both terms interchangeably, the language and terminology used can make a huge difference in a lawsuit. The distinction between the two types of accidents revolves around the kinds of injuries a person incurs. It’s important to know the difference so you can contact a personal injury lawyer in Melbourne Fl.
Trip and Fall vs. Slip and Fall
In any lawsuit, it is very vital for an individual to provide accurate information to a personal injury attorney to enable them build a strong case. Providing accurate information can make the difference on how the lawsuit is approached, the amount of compensation received and the type of information needed. The success of a personal injury lawsuit will depend on facts provided and the ability to prove that the employer or landlord was negligent.
A slip and fall accident occurs when an individual loses friction with a surface or floor due to presence of slippery substances or wetness. The accident can be caused by ice or water from a leaking freezer, grease, mold on the staircase and spilled items such as beads.
In a slip and fall accident, a person may get hip, back or neck injuries, injuries to the back of the head and herniation of the backbone. These injuries occur when your feet slip upwards and outward thereby propelling your body to fall backwards.
A trip and fall accident occurs when an individual stumbles as a result of obstructions on the walkway. These obstructions could be uneven surfaces, fixed objects, doorjambs, a curb or plant roots that protrude from the sidewalk. Some of the associated injuries include knee and elbow injuries, arm/hand fractures and injuries to the face or head. These accidents occur when an obstacle on the walkway thrusts your body forward and outwards.
The major challenge in such lawsuits is proving that a party was negligent and liable. A personal injury attorney must prove that the party (business or individual) failed to take appropriate and reasonable action to prevent the accident. To build a successful case, it is advisable that you take pictures at the location of the accident, seek medical attention immediately and secure details of witnesses.
You should hire a trusted, reliable, knowledgeable and experienced personal injury lawyer who will gather the relevant information needed to build a strong case. Although some falls are inevitable, those caused by negligence should not be taken lightly. An injured party should seek counsel from professional attorneys who will assist them to seek justice. It is very important that you provide the attorney with accurate information, reports, witness information, documents and pictures so that they can pursue legal action successfully.
