It might sound surprising, but with over 1 million people visiting emergency rooms due to slip and fall injuries each year, falls are the leading cause of personal injury accidents in the country, and the San Fernando Valley is certainly no stranger to these often serious accidents. While some related injuries can be minor, such as skinned elbows and knees, others are much more life-threatening, including traumatic brain injury and spinal injuries.
There are many factors that can lead to a slip and fall accident, and sometimes, no one is to blame. However, there are many instances in which a slip and fall accident was the result of another person’s or business’s negligence. In these situations, accident victims need to know that California law is on their side.
Common causes of slip and fall accidents
The most common causes of slip and fall or trip and fall injuries in the San Fernando Valley include:
- Slick or uneven surfaces. Reports show that dangerous conditions account for 55% of all slip and fall accidents. Think clutter left on retailer floors, defective or damaged sidewalks and parking lots, grocery store floors that are wet from mopping, or buckled carpeting.
- Poorly marked stairs. Defective or poorly marked steps or stairs may also cause a serious fall.
- Work related falls. Proper training could greatly reduce the number of construction area, auto mechanic garage, and manufacturing plant-related accidents.
In order to prove that you or your loved one should receive financial compensation for your injuries, a personal injury attorney will need to show that the other party (business or individual) was negligent and that your injury exists and is a direct result of the fall (and not a previous injury).
If you or a loved one are injured in a fall, it is important that you seek immediate medical attention, as with any type of personal injury accident. Not only will a doctor be able to ensure that you are receiving the medical treatment you need, but your medical records will help prove the date and time when the injury occurred and prevent the insurance company from claiming it occurred elsewhere.
If you or someone you care for was injured in a slip and fall accident in the San Fernando Valley and the fall was a result of another’s negligence, call slip and fall attorney Barry P. Goldberg today for a free consultation about your case and potential for financial recovery.
