Slip and fall lawsuits are quite common in personal injury law. These falls can occur while on the job, at a business, or even in someone’s home.
Slips or trips can be caused by dangerous conditions such as wet or slick surfaces, low lighting, faulty railings, torn carpeting, and a host of other reasons.
In this post we will review:
- the timing of filing a slip and fall lawsuit
- what to do after an accident
- statistics on accident lawsuits
How Long Do I Have to File a Slip and Fall Lawsuit?
If your injuries occurred due to a property owner’s negligence, you have a limited amount of time to file a personal injury claim.
The state of Alabama has a two-year statute of limitations to seek payment for financial and physical losses in slip and fall lawsuits. The two-year countdown begins on the day the incident occurred. This relatively short timeframe demands quick action to ensure you receive payment.
Post-Incident Actions
- Seek medical attention: Your health is priority number one. That makes this the most important action. Consulting a physician allows your injuries to be properly treated and documented, as the judge and attorneys will use medical records to determine your compensation amount
- Report the accident: It doesn’t matter if the accident happened on a loved one’s property, private property, or at a business; report it to the owner or landlord. Get a written report and copy of the incident’s details. Then, speak with an attorney before giving a statement to the insurance company.
- Document everything: Get the names, phone numbers, and addresses of witnesses. If possible, take pictures, record videos, and note the conditions of the accident location and what caused the fall.
Slip-and-Fall Facts
- The National Safety Council states doctors treated about 9.2 million people in the United States in emergency rooms for fall-related injuries in 2016.
- The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics shows slip-and-falls account for 11% of job-related fatalities for men and 5% for women.
- The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics also shows that 22% of slip-and-fall incidents resulted in more than 31 days missed from work.
- The Alabama Department of Public Health lists Slip and Fall as the second leading cause of unintentional injury.
- Each year one in every three adults over 65 will sustain a fall resulting in hospitalization. Hospitalization for people in this age group is five times more likely to result from a fall than other injuries.
Slip-and-falls occur in a flash but can have a lasting impact. A two-year period to file your personal injury claim can flash by just as quickly. Getting prompt medical treatment, gathering helpful evidence, and seeking an injury attorney’s support is vital to receiving the compensation you deserve.