People frequently make assumptions about civil lawsuits that may not actually reflect reality. For example, many people think that a slip and fall is really just embarrassing, rather than a possible source of personal injury. However, business and property owners face claims every year because of premises liability issues.
Premises liability is the theoretical responsibility that a property owner or business could incur if others get hurt while visiting a property. When negligence, such as a failure to maintain facilities, leads to someone slipping and falling, the person who gets hurt could file an insurance claim. Sometimes, they may have grounds for a personal injury lawsuit against the business.
Falls can lead to serious injuries
According to a report from the National Floor Safety Institute, over a million people every year end up in emergency rooms because of a slip-and-fall or same-level fall. Someone does not have to fall from a significant elevation to end up seriously hurt. A person who falls at a store could break a bone on their way to the floor, which could very easily translate to thousands in medical expenses and weeks of lost wages. Perhaps the worst injury possible in a slip-and-fall scenario would result from someone hitting their head. A traumatic brain injury (TBI) might affect someone’s cognition and memory.
A TBI can affect motor function, including fine motor skills and someone’s sense of balance. A brain injury could also lead to sensory challenges, including ringing in someone’s ears or blurry vision. Headaches, nausea, changes in personality and even a long-term dependence on life support equipment are all possible when someone has a brain injury. The cost for medical care alone could amount to thousands of dollars or more when a TBI is serious. Individuals may also become unable to work or may have to change professions. In fact, they may require that a family member also leave their career to provide them with daily medical support.
The combination of lost wages and medical expenses can be enough to necessitate a lawsuit in some cases. Understanding that a slip-and-fall scenario could lead to grounds upon which a victim could file a viable lawsuit can help those who have been hurt to make truly informed choices about taking legal action.
