Tuesday, February 23, 2010

Slip and Fall Accidents

We have all experienced slipping and falling at some point in our lives. Oftentimes, it is such a regular occurrence that we get up and just forget about the incident. However, there are times when these accidents cause us pain resulting in severe personal injury. Studies show that 60 percent of all falls are related to a slipping or tripping incident. But what exactly is a slip and a fall?

What is a Slip and a fall?
A slip and fall is the generic term used when a personal injury occurs when someone slips, trips or falls as a result of a dangerous or hazardous condition on someone else's property.

What Causes a Slip and Fall Accident?
• Broken or uneven sidewalks
• Unbalanced flooring
• Adverse weather conditions (ice, snow, or rain)
• Poor or inadequate lighting
• Unmarked pathways
• Wet or slippery floors or tiles
• Torn carpets and rugs
• Potholes
• Obstruction on the floor or walkway

What to do after a slip and fall accident?
• Take snapshots of the scene and of your injuries
• Gather witnesses from the accident scene and make eyewitness reports
• Make an incident report
• Seek medical attention

These are the best ways to prove fault that will help demonstrate that such hazardous conditions did exist and that it caused your injury. But in order to recover damages in a slip and fall accident, you must generally prove the following:
• The owner or possessor caused the hazardous condition to exist and created the condition;
• The owner or possessor knew of the dangerous condition and negligently failed to correct it;
• The owner or possessor should have been aware of the hazardous condition because another person would have noticed the same dangerous condition and would have removed, repaired, or warned people against the hazard.

These evidences will help you prove fault and recover damages. If you believe that your injury was the result of someone else’s negligence, it is a good idea to contact a qualified personal injury lawyer who can help prepare your case and tell you what course of action to take.

Please note that this article is for information purposes only and not intended as legal advice.

Click here to visit the site of Kelley and Uustal Law Firm in Fort Lauderdale, Fla if you are looking for additional information about slip and fall accidents.

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