Kenny Habetz Injury Law | September 4, 2023 | Slip and Fall Accidents
You can slip, trip, and fall anywhere, including at work, shopping, someone’s home, or a social event. Slip and fall accidents are very common. While insurance companies like to downplay slip and fall accidents, a person could be seriously injured in a fall.
Property owners, management companies, businesses, and other parties in control of property could be held liable for damages from a slip, trip, and fall accident. Understanding some of the common causes of slip and fall accidents can help you try to avoid falls in similar situations.
Common Causes of Slip and Fall Accidents in Crowley, Louisiana
Numerous hazards and conditions can cause a slip and fall accident. Common reasons for slips and falls include:
- Slick floors from leaks, ice, spills, mopping, and waxing
- Uneven surfaces, including elevators and escalators
- Loose rugs, floorboards, and mats
- Inadequate lighting
- Debris or items on the floor
- Cords and wiring across walkways
- Rains door jams
You can reduce the risk of a slip and fall accident in many ways. For example, you can wear the proper shoes for the activity or place. Avoid distractions when walking and understand your surroundings.
Slip and Fall Accidents Can Cause Serious Injuries and Conditions
Slip and fall accidents occur when your foot slides out from under you, and you fall backward. You may land on your back or hit an object before falling to the ground. In either case, the potential for severe injuries is substantial.
Common slip and fall injuries include:
- Broken bones and fractures
- Traumatic brain injury and skull fractures
- Neck injuries
- Back injuries, including fractured vertebrae and herniated discs
- Broken or sprained ankles
- Spinal cord injuries
- Abrasions and lacerations
- Soft tissue injuries
It is crucial to seek immediate medical treatment after a slip and fall accident. Initially, you might not recognize signs of an injury. Only a doctor can diagnose your injuries after a full examination.
Prompt medical care is vital to your health but also helps with a personal injury claim. Liable parties might claim delays in medical care indicate that the fall did not cause your injuries. Allegations of failure to mitigate damages could arise when you do not receive prompt medical treatment or you fail to follow the doctor’s treatment plan.
What Damages Are Available for a Crowley Slip and Fall Accident?
Your compensation for a slip and fall claim depends on how severely you were injured and other factors. However, Louisiana premises liability laws allow you to seek compensation for your economic and non-economic damages.
Examples of compensatory damages in a slip and fall case include:
- Past and future medical bills
- Rehabilitation and physical therapy
- Pain and suffering
- Impairments and disabilities
- Emotional distress and mental anguish
- Out-of-pocket expenses
- Loss of enjoyment of life
- Lost wages and reductions in earning capacity
- Disfigurement and scarring
- Long-term care
- Diminished quality of life
Careful documentation of pain and suffering damages and financial losses increases the chance of receiving a fair settlement offer. You must be able to prove the extent of your damages to receive compensation from the party who caused your injuries.
Slip and Fall Accident Cases Have Short Filing Deadlines in Louisiana
The Louisiana statute of limitations allows you one year to file a claim for most slip and fall accidents. The year begins on the day of your slip and fall accident.
However, there could be exceptions to this rule that give you more or less time to file a claim. Nonetheless, do not risk the chance that the court could dismiss your claim for missing a deadline. Contact a Crowley personal injury as soon as possible to avoid missing the deadline.
What Should I Do After a Slip and Fall Accident in Louisiana?
Your actions immediately after and in the days following a slip and fall accident could impact the outcome of your personal injury claim. Therefore, it is good to remember:
- Always report a fall or injury on someone’s property to the owner or the party exercising control over the property
- Take photographs and make a video of the accident scene in case the owner tries to fix the situation and remove the evidence
- Seek immediate medical treatment for your injuries
- Keep detailed records of all expenses related to the accident, including the full amount of hospital and doctor’s bills (i.e., not the discounted amount your insurance company might have paid)
- Avoid talking to the property owner or insurance company without legal advice
Crowley slip and fall accident lawyers offer free consultations. You can find out if you have a claim and how much your slip and fall claim is worth at that time at no cost.
Contact the Louisiana Slip and Fall Accident Law Firm Of Kenny Habetz Injury Law for Help Today
If you’ve been injured in a car accident, please call Kenny Habetz Injury Law for a free case evaluation with a Louisiana slip and fall accident lawyer or contact us online. We have offices in Lafayette and Crowley, LA.
Kenny Habetz Injury Law – Lafayette
110 E Kaliste Saloom Rd Ste 101 Lafayette, LA 70508
(337) 399-9000
Kenny Habetz Injury Law – Crowley
604 S Parkerson Ave. Crowley, LA 70526
(337) 329-8883