Tripping Hazard Attorneys in Louisville, Kentucky
A Trip Can Cause Serious Injury
Tripping hazards are present in nearly every industry, business, public place, and personal residence. Indeed, it is safe to assume that everyone has experienced a trip accident at some point in their life, if not dozens of trips and missteps thanks to dangerous conditions and tripping hazards (and sometimes, pure clumsiness).
While most tripping accidents may be very insignificant, leading to no more than a stumble and perhaps a drop of the heart in a moment of worry, some tripping hazards are severe enough that when they impact a person, the person suffers a serious fall that leads to notable injuries.
For these people, understanding the process of filing a personal injury claim and holding another party liable for an injury that would not have occurred but for the existence of a tripping hazard is important. At the Slechter Law Firm, our seasoned personal injury attorneys are prepared to offer you help immediately. Contact us today for your free consultation.
Common Tripping Hazards Causing Serious Trip and Fall Injuries
There are dozens of tripping hazards that exist that increase the risk of a slip and fall. These include:
Snow, ice, and weather-related trip conditions;
Debris in walkway;
Loose wires and trailing cables;
Poor lighting;
Lack of handrails;
Broken stairs;
Loose floorboards, broken tiles, cracks in the sidewalk, etc.;
Uneven floor surfaces;
Torn carpet; and
More.
Sometimes, a trip accident is caused by a combination of these factors, such as a loose board on a stair and a lack of a handrail, and an object in the way blocking a clear path for walking.
In the vast majority of cases, with the exclusion of trips that are caused by weather-related events that occur immediately and cannot be remedied instantaneously nor prevented tripping hazards, tripping hazard-related falls, are completely preventable when a greater duty of care is exercised.
Where Trips, Slips, and Falls Occur
Slips, trips, and falls can occur anywhere. This includes:
Private properties – While the owners of private residences have a duty to maintain their properties in a safe condition for those who are invited onto the property or otherwise enter the property legally, they do not always do so. Broken or uneven walking surfaces, garden hoses, children’s toys, garden tools, and more may all create tripping hazards on a homeowner’s property.
Business and retail establishments – Whether on the grounds surrounding a business or retail establishment, or within the building, tripping hazards exist. Businesses may fail to keep parking lots and sidewalks surrounding the business free of snow and ice, may fail to repair potholes or defects in the parking lot, may overlook a spill within a business, may fail to properly clean floors, or put away merchandise, and more. All of these can create tripping hazards.
Workplaces – The workplace is one of the riskiest locations for tripping hazards, with the problem affecting workers in myriad industries, ranging from healthcare to construction.
Public properties – Public properties, like public parks, aren’t immune from tripping hazards. Playground hazards, broken walking surfaces, ice and snow, and more are all tripping hazards that could contribute to a serious slip and fall injury.
Filing a Claim After a Tripping Hazard Causes an Injury
If you are injured in a slip and fall accident that you believe would not have happened but for the existence of a tripping hazard that the property owner should have corrected, you may have a personal injury claim.
Our experienced personal injury lawyers advise you to first seek medical care for your injuries, and then begin the recovery process by calling our law firm.
Each personal injury claim for a tripping hazard begins with determining the precise cause of the slip and fall injury, why the tripping hazard existed, and whether a property owner neglected their duty of care. Once we determine liability for the tripping hazard and subsequent injuries, we can file a claim and demand damages.
Keep in mind that the claims process may differ depending upon who is to blame for the slip and fall accident. While a standard personal injury claim may be filed against the owner of a home or business where a tripping hazard led to the plaintiff’s harm, claims for workers and claims against the government (municipalities and other entities responsible for maintaining public places) may differ.
In fact, workers injured on the job may be barred from filing a personal injury claim directly against their employer but may be able to pursue a workers’ compensation claim or a third-party liability claim against the at-fault party.
For those injured by the negligence of a government employee, a claim may be filed, but the process is specific. What’s more, damages are capped when filing a claim against the state government.
You can learn more by calling our personal injury attorneys and requesting a free consultation.
How Do I Get Compensation for My Tripping Injury?
Most of the time, a tripping hazard is an inconvenience, an annoyance, but nothing more. In rare cases, however, a tripping hazard can cause a person to suffer a fall that leaves them with terrible injuries, potentially including a traumatic brain injury, spinal cord injury, bone fracture, internal injuries, and permanent scarring.
At the Slechter Law Firm, our personal injury attorneys want to make sure that if you are the victim of a slip and fall caused by a tripping hazard out of your control, you are fully compensated for the non-economic and economic damages you suffer.
When you are injured and wondering where to turn next, we encourage you to contact our law office immediately. Not only are we experienced in Kentucky slip and fall law, but we are also passionate about our work, and empathetic when representing our clients. We know that you never expected to go through what you’re going through and that you are looking for a legal advocate that you can count on.
To start the process of filing a claim and recovering the compensation you deserve, call our Louisville office today or complete our online form for a free consultation.