One of the most common types of incidents that occur in the U.S. today are falls. While some falls occur as a result of our own behavior and negligence, others are caused by someone else’s behavior and actions. When we are the cause of our own fall, the most we can do is seek medical attention as there isn’t anyone to blame but ourselves. However, when you fall on someone else’s property because they failed to maintain the premises or they conducted themselves in a negligent manner, there are certain steps you can take to hold them accountable.
These steps generally involve you hiring a personal injury attorney and having them file a lawsuit against the person or establishment responsible for your fall. Now, while the term lawsuit might have you picturing a courtroom, judge, and jury, not always does filing a lawsuit result in having to go to court. You see, once you notify the other party that you suffered an injury as a result of their negligence, they can choose to provide you with the compensation you are seeking for the damages you sustained. In the event they decline to do so, then you would discuss with your lawyer the next steps you would need to take, and one of those might involve going to court.
Now, to better help you understand what might constitute as a viable reason to file a personal injury lawsuit for a slip and fall accident, below are two examples of when a person might consider taking legal action.
- Nursing Home Falls
Did you know that “each year millions of older people, those 65 and older, fall” [Source: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)]? The CDC also points out that “one out of five falls causes a serious injury such as broken bone or a head injury” and “over 800,000 patients a year are hospitalized because of a fall injury?” Although it is evident that our aging population is more at risk of falling simply because they are more fragile and less agile, not all of the falls reported are a result of their own behavior.
In fact, many aging individuals fall while under the care of nursing home staff. There are several nursing homes that are understaffed or filled with poorly trained employees who aren’t looking out for the residents they should be assisting. As a result, many fall when they are ignored by the staff and are forced to try and move about themselves. And when a fall occurs in a nursing home or other health care facility and it could have been prevented had the individual received the supervision they were expected to receive, the staff and/or the facility can be held accountable for the injuries the individual sustained.
With that said, if your loved one was neglected while living in a nursing home in Alexandria, LA or a nearby city which resulted in their fall, the Jones Law Firm is prepared to represent you and help you and your loved one seek justice for the pain and suffering they have had to endure.
- Falls Inside or on Business Property
Personal injury claims are also filed rather frequently for slip and fall accidents that occur on business property or inside of the establishment. If you weren’t aware, every business is required to maintain their premises which means nothing harmful or hazardous should be out and in the open that could injure a customer. For example, let’s say you were shopping at a sporting goods store with your friends and the staff left some equipment out in the walkway, which you didn’t see. You tripped and fell over the equipment that not only didn’t belong there but was supposed to have been moved by the staff who forgot about it. Although it wasn’t done intentionally, because the staff was negligent and should have taken the steps to keep a clear path for shoppers, their actions could result in the store being sued.
Slip and falls accidents aren’t only limited to retail stores. In fact, they also occur at parks, on city property, or even inside someone else’s home. But, the key to filing a successful claim for your slip and fall accident is that you must be able to prove that negligence is what caused it.
Did you recently slip and fall on someone’s property in Alexandria and are now wondering what your legal rights are?
If you recently suffered injuries as a result of a slip and fall incident and would like to learn more about recovering compensation for your medical bills, lost wages, pain and suffering, and more, contact LA personal injury attorney Davey Jones. At the Jones Law Firm, we take the time to help victims understand what their legal rights are as well as how much their case is worth. We also spend the required amount of time to plan accordingly for your case so that we have all the legal documentation needed along with the supporting evidence to help get your lawsuit filed and of course, obtain a favorable outcome.
To learn more about filing a personal injury lawsuit in Alexandria, LA, contact our firm now at 318-442-1515 to schedule an initial consultation.
You can call or visit the Jones Law Firm at:
1330 Jackson Street
Alexandria, LA 71301
Phone: 318-442-1515
Fax: 318-442-8492
Website: www.hdjoneslaw.com
