Perhaps you have suffered a slip and fall accident due to the negligence of the property owner. Although embarrassment might be your first emotion when you fall, that can quickly be overshadowed by your injuries. You may soon realize that your injuries are more severe than you initially believed, and you need a slip and fall attorney. You could now be facing substantial medical expenses, not to mention daily pain. Property owners are required, under the law, to ensure their property is safe and without known hazards. If a hazard is identified, it must be addressed as quickly as possible, with signage to warn visitors until it is repaired. There are essentially three “statuses” of visitors:

• Invitees are those who have either an express or implied invitation to be on the property for a purpose that can be expected to profit the owner of the property. When you go to the grocery store, a restaurant, the mall, or any other public business, you are considered an invitee. 
• Licensees are those who are permitted on a property, yet the owner of the property has no reasonable expectation of gain. If you are attending a party at a friend’s home, you could be considered a licensee. If you bring someone with you to the party that your friend does not know, they are still considered a licensee, even though they were not expressly invited by the owner of the property. 
• Trespassers are those who are on a property illegally, without permission. Trespassers have few rights, although you may not deliberately set up hazards on your property to harm trespassers.  

If you slip and fall due to a spill while you are doing your grocery shopping—and if that spill has been there long enough to have been reasonably cleaned up—the store owner is responsible for your injuries. A slip and fall can be a serious issue. Don’t try to deal with it on your own—contact an experienced Covington slip and fall attorney from Adams Law.  

Why Should You Choose a Slip and Fall Attorney from Adams Law?

When you choose a slip and fall attorney from Adams Law, you are choosing quality and experience. Adams Law is a full-service law firm with a legacy that goes back to its founding in 1895. While our reputation may be historic, we are a forward-thinking law firm that consistently provides the perfect balance of client experience and high-quality legal representation. When you become a client of Adams Law, you will see the importance we place on each and every client. We are up for the most complex legal issues, utilizing technology to provide comprehensive, yet affordable legal representation. When you choose a knowledgeable Covington slip and fall attorney from Adams Law, you will benefit from a team of top-rated attorneys who leverage our combined experience and skills. 

What is a Slip and Fall Accident?

When you slip or trip, causing a fall with injuries, you have suffered a slip and fall accident. Slip and fall accidents generally happen on another’s property, and are the result of unsafe or hazardous conditions, including:

• Spills that make the floor slippery
• Floorboards that are loose
• Mats that slip on the surface below
• Worn out carpeting that is frayed or has “strings” that could trip
• Surfaces that are freshly mopped or waxed
• Potholes in a parking lot
• Holes in a sidewalk
• Clutter in walkways
• Stairwells with broken steps, missing railing, or poor lighting
• Uneven floor surfaces
• Electric cords or other hazardous items strung across a walking area

Slip and falls also occur in the workplace, however, rather than becoming a personal injury claim, resulting injuries usually fall under workers’ compensation benefits. 

Are Slip and Fall Accidents Common?

According to the CDC, one out of five falls causes a serious injury, such as broken bones or a head injury—including traumatic brain injuries. More than 800,000 individuals are hospitalized due to a fall injury each year. Among the elderly, the most common injury resulting from a fall is a hip fracture. According to the National Safety Council, your lifetime odds of dying from a fall accident are one in 102—just marginally less than your lifetime odds of dying from a car accident—one in 101. 

What Types of Injuries Are Common Following Slip and Fall Accidents?

Injuries from a slip and fall accident can be relatively minor, or extremely serious. The force of a slip and fall can cause broken bones in the lower legs, arms, rib cage, shoulder, and collarbone areas. Additionally, slip and fall victims could suffer the following injuries:

• Neck and back injuries, including spinal cord injuries—fractured vertebrae, slipped and herniated discs, pinched nerves, and other painful injuries. Neck, back, and spinal cord injuries can cause pain and limited mobility or even partial or full paralysis. 
• Concussions occur when an individual’s head collides with a hard surface. Concussion symptoms can include headaches, confusion, vertigo, nausea, and feeling “foggy.” A concussion may cause a loss of consciousness or may not. 
• More serious than a concussion is a traumatic brain injury, which can cause long-term symptoms, including mental confusion, the inability to speak or understand language, difficulty concentrating, an inability to create new memories, mood disorders, behavioral issues, difficulty speaking, sensitivity to light, persistent headaches, balance disorder, depression and anxiety, loss of smell, post-traumatic seizure, and ringing in the ears. 
• Severe cuts and lacerations are common slip and fall injuries that may be severe enough to require stitches or sutures, and can leave scarring or cause nerve and muscle damage. 
• Knee and ankle injuries are often the result of a slip and fall, when sprains and strains occur.
• Elbow and wrist injuries, including breaks and sprains, can occur when you use your hands and arms to break your fall. 
• Chronic pain—while not a separate injury in itself—can result from any of the injuries above. Many slip and fall victims are forced to live with chronic pain for months, years, even a lifetime. The pain can leave the victim unable to work, pursue hobbies, spend time with family members, and enjoy life. 

How a Covington Slip and Fall Attorney from Adams Law Can Help

When you choose a slip and fall attorney from Adams Law, you will find that we are honest, experienced, personable, and caring in every interaction. We answer your questions in a comprehensive manner, allowing you to rest easy, knowing we are working on your case with your best interests in mind. Our goal is to solve your problems with the best outcome possible. Our clients recognize our dedication and experience, which is one reason they often recommend us to others. Don’t try to deal with your slip and fall injury on your own—contact Adams Law, PLLC today.