Slip & fall accidents occur when an individual (usually an invitee) slips, trips or falls as a result of a dangerous or hazardous condition on someone else’s property. Despite the many anecdotal, often frivolous, slip and fall cases we’ve all heard about, these accidents should not be taken lightly. According to the Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), falls are one of the most common sources for personal injury in the United States. It is estimated that over 1 million people will suffer injury due to a fall each year with approximately 20,000 falls ending fatally. Across nearly all age groups, slip and fall accidents account for more emergency room visits than any other mode of injury.
For the elderly population, suffering injury from a fall can seriously impact the quality of life they may have. Many seniors who are hurt in a slip and fall accident suffer broken or fractured bones and lose a large portion of their independence. If you or someone close to you has suffered personal injury due to a slip and fall, contact the Mazzola Law Firm, PLLC for a free consultation. We are here for you and are willing to take your case all the way to trial if necessary.
So Who’s to Blame?
Slip, trip, and fall type accidents fall under a section of law known as “premises liability”. All too often, unfortunately, property owners’ failure to maintain their property as required by law causes one to fall and sustain what can sometimes be catastrophic injuries. Property owners are in the best position to cut down on the number of people injured each year by needless falls. If property owners would do even the most basic inspection to make sure their property is safe and ensure there are no tripping or slipping hazards many injuries could easily be avoided.
Slip and fall accidents can occur in both the public and private sectors. Grapes or other produce that have fallen onto the floor in a super market have the potential to cause a serious accident if not properly cleaned up. Uneven, dangerous sidewalks can cause a person to trip over their edges and fall into the street. The carpeting in an office building that is not properly secured to the floor can also cause someone to fall and injure themselves.
Additional examples of property owner negligence that contribute to slip, trip, and fall accidents can include:
- Wet, unmarked floors
- Uneven sidewalks
- Loose carpeting
- Unsecured cords (tripping hazard)
- Faulty handrails
- Food that has fallen onto the floor and not cleaned up
Contact a Texas Slip and Fall Accidents Attorney
After your accident you need a knowledgeable attorney by your side each and every step of the way. Many other firms rely on settling quickly, out of court, for low payouts. At the Mazzola Law Firm, we are prepared to go all the way to trial if necessary, and have successfully prosecuted slip and fall cases against Wal-Mart, Home Depot, Lowe’s and many other large corporations. We realize that serious injuries demand serious attention and we are here for you.
If you, a family member or friend has been a victim of a slip and fall accident, contact our firm for help.