Injuries from Falls in San Diego
Personal injuries from falls can be very serious and can result in long-term or permanent disability. Falls can happen anywhere and at any time, but they are particularly common in public places such as supermarkets, malls, or office buildings. Some of the most common types of personal injuries from falls include fractures, head injuries, and back injuries.
Fractures are a common type of injury from falls, particularly in older adults. Fractures can occur in various parts of the body such as the wrist, hip, or ankle. Head injuries are also common and can range from minor cuts and bruises to more serious traumatic brain injuries. Back injuries are another common type of injury and can range from minor strains to more serious injuries such as herniated discs.
Personal injuries from falls can have a significant impact on a person’s life, including their ability to work and perform everyday activities. They can also result in significant medical expenses, lost wages, and pain and suffering. If you have suffered a personal injury from a fall, it is important to seek medical attention right away and consult with a personal injury attorney to understand your legal rights and options for pursuing compensation.
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What Types of Personal Injuries Can Happen as a Result of a Fall?
Personal injuries can arise from a variety of situations and can range from minor to severe. Some of the most common types of personal injuries include:
- Car accident injuries
- Slip and fall injuries
- Medical malpractice injuries
- Defective product injuries
- Dog bite injuries
Explanation of injuries from falls
Injuries from falls can be particularly devastating, especially for older adults or those with pre-existing medical conditions. Falls can occur in a variety of situations, including on uneven surfaces, wet floors, or stairs. Injuries from falls can result from a single fall or from repeated falls over time.
Common types of injuries from falls
Some of the most common types of injuries from falls include:
- Fractures: These are particularly common in older adults and can occur in various parts of the body such as the wrist, hip, or ankle.
- Head injuries: These can range from minor cuts and bruises to more serious traumatic brain injuries.
- Back injuries: These can range from minor strains to more serious injuries such as herniated discs.
- Soft tissue injuries: These can include sprains, strains, and contusions.
It is important to seek medical attention immediately after a fall to assess any potential injuries and begin appropriate treatment. If you have suffered a personal injury from a fall due to the negligence of another party, it is important to consult with a personal injury attorney to understand your legal rights and options for pursuing compensation.
What are the Causes of Falls?
The causes of falls can vary widely and include slippery or uneven surfaces, obstacles in walkways, poor lighting, loose or missing handrails, and inadequate warning signs. It is important to identify the cause of a fall in order to determine liability and assess the potential for pursuing compensation.
Falls can occur in a variety of situations and can be caused by various factors. Some of the most common causes of falls include:
- Slippery or uneven surfaces
- Obstacles in walkways
- Poor lighting
- Loose or missing handrails
- Inadequate warning signs
Falls can occur in various ways, but they typically involve a loss of balance or footing that causes a person to fall. This can happen when a person slips on a wet floor or trips over an obstacle in their path. Falls can also occur when a person loses their balance on stairs or steps, particularly if there are no handrails or if the steps are uneven.
Negligence can play a significant role in causing falls. Negligence occurs when someone fails to take reasonable care to prevent harm to others. For example, a property owner may be negligent if they fail to maintain their premises in a safe condition, such as failing to clean up a spill or repair a broken step. Employers can also be negligent if they fail to provide a safe working environment for their employees, such as failing to provide proper safety equipment or failing to train employees on how to use it.
If negligence is a contributing factor to a fall, the person or entity responsible for the negligence may be liable for any resulting injuries or damages. A personal injury attorney can help assess whether negligence played a role in a fall and determine the legal options for pursuing compensation.
Who Has Liability in Fall Accidents?
Liability in falls often depends on whether the property owner knew or should have known about a hazardous condition and failed to address it. If a property owner is found to have breached their duty of care to maintain their premises in a reasonably safe condition, they may be held liable for any resulting injuries or damages. A personal injury attorney can help assess liability in falls and determine the legal options for pursuing compensation.
How property owners can be held liable for falls
Property owners can be held liable for falls that occur on their premises if they are found to have breached their duty of care. This can occur if the property owner knew or should have known of a dangerous condition and failed to take reasonable steps to address it. For example, if a store owner knows there is a spill on the floor and fails to clean it up promptly, they may be held liable if someone slips and falls and is injured as a result.
In personal injury cases involving falls, comparative fault may come into play. Comparative fault is a legal doctrine that assigns a percentage of fault to each party involved in an accident or injury. For example, if a person slips on a wet floor in a store but was distracted by their phone and not paying attention to their surroundings, they may be assigned a percentage of fault for their own injuries.
Under comparative fault, the amount of compensation a person can receive may be reduced by their percentage of fault. For example, if a person is found to be 20% at fault for their own injuries and their damages total $10,000, they may only be able to recover $8,000 in compensation.
A personal injury attorney can help assess the potential for comparative fault in a personal injury case and determine the best strategy for pursuing compensation.
What Steps You Need to Take Following a FallÂ
It is crucial to seek medical attention after a fall, even if you do not immediately feel any pain or notice any injuries. Some injuries, such as head injuries, may not show immediate symptoms but can be life-threatening if left untreated. Seeking medical attention can also help document any injuries or damages that may be relevant in a personal injury claim.
Reporting a fall to the property owner or manager is important for several reasons. First, it helps document the occurrence of the fall and establishes a timeline of events. It also allows the property owner or manager to take steps to address any hazards and prevent similar incidents from occurring in the future. Reporting a fall can also help establish liability in a personal injury claim by providing evidence of the property owner’s knowledge of the hazard.
If you are able, there are several steps you can take to gather evidence after a fall. These may include:
- Taking photos of the hazard that caused the fall and any injuries sustained
- Gathering contact information from any witnesses to the fall
- Requesting a copy of any incident report filed by the property owner or manager
- Keeping a record of all medical treatment received and related expenses
It is important to act quickly to gather evidence as memories can fade and evidence can be lost or destroyed over time. A personal injury attorney can also assist in gathering evidence and ensuring that it is properly documented and preserved.
If you or a loved one has suffered injuries from a fall, it is important to act quickly to protect your legal rights and seek compensation for your damages. Our team of skilled personal injury attorneys has the knowledge and experience necessary to help you navigate the complex legal process and advocate for your best interests.
By contacting our firm, you can take the first step towards holding negligent property owners accountable for their actions and recovering the compensation you deserve. We understand the physical, emotional, and financial toll that a fall injury can take on your life, and we are committed to helping you achieve a fair and just resolution to your case.
Don’t wait to get the help you need. Contact us today for a free consultation to discuss your fall injury case and learn more about your legal options.
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