Slips and falls can happen anywhere at any time. However, some people fail to see how serious they can be.
The CDC shared that one out of five cases of falls can result in severe injury, including head trauma and broken bones. These injuries can also lead to extensive costs, including tests, treatments and rehabilitation. The total medical expenses for falls in the United States reached over $50 billion in 2015.
If you suffer an injury in a slip-and-fall accident, your insurance might not be enough to cover all your medical bills.
Common causes of slips and falls
Aside from old age, the CDC determined that a combination of the following factors can increase fall risks:
- Vitamin deficiencies
- Weakness of your lower body
- Walking and balance issues
- Medication that can cause grogginess or loss of balance
- Eye problems affecting your vision
- Ill-fitting footwear
- Fall hazards in your surroundings, such as wet floors, uneven steps or cluttered walkways
Some of these factors are unavoidable. If you have bad eyesight, you might not see a wet spot on the grocery store’s floor, leading to a severe slip-and-fall injury.
File a claim for your injury
In these cases, you may be able to file a personal injury claim against the store owner based on the circumstances. Property owners bear the responsibility for maintaining safety within their establishments.
According to state laws, they can become liable for your slip-and-fall injuries and losses if their neglect led to your accident. You can recover damages for lost income, medical costs, pain and suffering by filing a claim.