Slip & Fall Accidents

Slip & Fall Accident Lawyer in Houston

Fighting on Behalf of Injured Victims across the U.S. for Over 120 Years

Slip and fall injuries are some of the most common types of injuries. In fact, it is estimated that as many as 25,000 slip and fall accidents occur every day, resulting in injuries that range from minor to severe, and even fatal. Many of these incidents happen as a result of hazardous conditions for which a property owner or manager can be held liable. If you were injured in a slip and fall accident on someone else’s property, now is the time to seek the legal assistance of a skilled slip and fall accident attorney to ensure you receive the compensation you deserve.

At Webster Vicknair MacLeod, our Houston legal team has over 120 years of combined experience in fighting for our clients' rights and would be honored to do the same for you.


Reach out to our legal team today at (713) 396-5197 to speak with a knowledgeable member of our firm.


 

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Slip & Fall Injuries

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), over 2.5 million adults ended up in an emergency room due to non-fatal fall accidents throughout 2013 while more than 734,000 were admitted to the hospital for fall-related injuries. Some of the most common injuries sustained in fall accidents include:

  • Bone fractures: Falls are the cause of at least 87% of all bone fractures in adults over the age of 65. The elderly are particularly susceptible to sustaining hip fractures as a result of a slip and fall accident, though anyone of any age can break or fracture a bone during a fall.
  • Death: We might not commonly associate falls with fatalities, but the CDC reports that falls are actually among the top causes of death for seniors and young children.
  • Traumatic brain injuries: It is also common for individuals to hit their head in a fall, which can result in a traumatic brain injury. This could cause one to experience ongoing cognitive impairment, changes in mood, seizures, and other symptoms.
  • Spinal cord injuries: Falling on one’s back can potentially lead to spinal cord damage, which could result in partial or even full paralysis, the effects of which are devastating and last a lifetime.
  • Neck, shoulder, and other back injuries: Soft tissue injuries that affect the neck, shoulder, or back are also common in fall accidents. These injuries can damage the muscles, joints, and ligaments.
  • Knee injuries: These injuries include sprains, strains, and tears.

The Causes of Slip & Fall Accidents

Slip and fall accidents occur due to a number of reasons, but are commonly the result of hazardous conditions that could have been prevented through proper maintenance. Some of the most common causes of these accidents include:

  • Wet floors or slippery floors
  • Ice or snow
  • Cracks in sidewalks and flooring
  • Potholes
  • Uneven walkways
  • Unmarked spills
  • Inadequate lighting
  • Deep stairs and broken handrails
  • Defective equipment

Dangerous and hazardous conditions must be properly marked by a sign or warning and addressed as soon as possible.

Where Slip & Fall Accidents Happen

These types of accidents can, of course, happen anywhere, but some locations are simply more high risk than others. Some of the most common locations these accidents frequently occur include:

  • Hotels: Slip and fall accidents are the top cause of hotel accidents every year, 70% of which occur while walking on a flat surface.
  • Restaurants: Spills frequently occur on restaurant floors, creating a perfect environment for a slip and fall accident to occur. In fact, slip and fall accidents are the number one cause of injuries in the hospitality industry every year.
  • Grocery stores: Every year, more than $450 million is spent to defend against slip and fall claims. They are the leading cause of injuries not only among patrons but among employees as well.
  • Work: Slip and fall accidents are also quite common in the workplace, accounting for about 16% of all workers’ compensation claims and 26% of costs associated with work injuries.

The Responsibilities of a Property Owner

Depending on the type of visitor, the responsibilities of a property owner can vary, though they generally involve:

  • The responsibility to reasonably ensure that any dangerous conditions are addressed and neutralized
  • The responsibility to sufficiently warn visitors of a known hazardous area by either placing a sign or cordoning them off from the area

There are 3 types of visitors – licensees, invitees, and trespassers. Invitees are owed the highest duty of care. For example, if you are a customer at a store, you are considered an invitee. Licensees are those who are able to enter a property with the express permission of the owner, and no business purposes are involved. Under Texas law, acquaintances who enter your residence are considered licensees.

Trespassers, however, are those who unlawfully enter your property and are typically not owed a duty of care, unless the trespasser is a child.

What Next?

If you sustain injuries in a slip and fall accident, there are some important steps you should keep in mind:

  • Refrain from making detailed statements regarding fault
  • Obtain the names of owners and managers of the property on which you fell
  • If witnesses were present at the time of your fall, obtain their names
  • Take pictures of the scene of the accident, including any pertinent details, as well as your injuries
  • Save what you were wearing at the time of the incident, including your footwear
  • Seek medical attention as soon as possible even if you believe the injury was minor
  • Never provide recorded statements to an insurance adjuster
  • Contact a slip and fall accident attorney who is experienced in handling such cases as soon as you are able to

Hire a Fierce Legal Advocate Today!

At Webster Vicknair MacLeod, our award-winning team of attorneys have more than 120 years of combined experience in fighting for our clients’ rights, which we will put to use for you. We believe that you should take this time to focus on getting back on your feet while we take care of the details of your case and pursue the compensation you deserve. Remember, you only have two years to file your personal injury claim in the state of Texas, so choose a law firm that will not waste precious time.


Get in touch with our National slip and fall injury attorneys today and call (713) 396-5197 to schedule a free consultation.


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