There’s nothing funny about a slip and fall injury. Only motor vehicle accidents are the cause of more accidental deaths in the U.S. Slipping and falling can cause tremendous trauma to the body. In fact, more people suffer traumatic brain injuries from a fall than from any other single cause. Falls cause some of the most devastating injuries witnessed by a personal injury lawyer in Charles County MD.
A Few Facts About Slip and Fall Injuries
1. While the most serious falls are from a height such as scaffolding or a ladder, most falls happen while someone is walking
2. Slippery or sticky floors, unsafe stairs or railings, torn carpeting, poor lighting, broken or uneven pavement and untreated snow or ice are responsible for many falls
3. The elderly are particularly at risk – fully half of all seniors who are hospitalized because of a fall will never be able to return to their homes
4. Every year, about 8 million Americans are rushed to the emergency room after falling
Maryland’s Statute of Limitations
State law allows a slip and fall victim up to 3 years from the date of the injury to file a lawsuit. Waiting longer than that will cause the court to reject the lawsuit.
However, it’s much better to talk to an experienced slip and fall lawyer as soon as possible after the injury. The sooner witnesses and evidence can be examined, the better for your case.
Premises Liability in a Slip and Fall Accident
If a property owner knows about a hazard on their property, such as a wet floor or torn carpet on stairs, and fails to do anything to correct the problem, they can be considered legally responsible for injuries caused by their negligence. This is known as premises liability.
The Four Elements of a Slip and Fall Claim
It’s necessary to prove these four elements:
1. Duty
2. The person blamed for negligence had a duty to provide a safe environment
3. Breach of duty:
4. The party at fault did not use reasonable care to make sure their property was safe
5. Causation:
6. The unsafe situation was the direct cause of the injury
7. Damages
8. The victim’s losses
If you believe your injury was caused by another’s negligence, call Business Name, a personal injury lawyer in Charles County MD. He has been fighting for the rights of accident victims for 25 years. Visit website domain for a for a free consultation.
