Slip and fall accidents can happen at any time of year, but they are especially common in the winter. In Indiana, we can experience freezing temperatures from early fall to late spring, and there are plenty of opportunities for slip and falls on ice to happen.
The National Floor Safety Institute provides some troubling statistics about slip-and-fall injuries.
They write:
- Falls account for over 8 million hospital emergency room visits, representing the leading cause of visits (21.3%). Slips and falls account for over 1 million visits or 12% of total falls.
- Fractures are the most serious consequences of falls and occur in 5% of all people who fall.
- Each year in the United States, one of every three persons over the age of 65 will experience a fall. Half of them are repeat fallers.
- According to the CDC, in 2005, more than 15,000 people over the age of 65 died as a result of a fall – up from 7,700 a decade earlier.
- The CDC also reports that approximately 1.8 million people over the age of 65 were treated in an emergency room as a result of a fall.
As you can see, slip and fall accidents are serious. The question many of our clients have is, “Can you sue for slipping on ice?”
The short answer is yes. You can sue for a fall on ice if your injuries were the result of a property owner’s negligence related to snow and ice removal. In these circumstances, you may have a right to compensation for your injuries and losses. A personal injury attorney can help you file a claim and fight for appropriate compensation.
Why Are Slip and Falls on Ice So Dangerous?
We all know that ice is slippery, but the problem is that ice is slippery and difficult to see. Ice is not always visible, and victims can fall suddenly without realizing that they are at risk of a fall.
Slipping on black ice is always a major hazard.
Snow can be slippery, especially if a layer of ice is underneath and the snow has begun to melt. Partially melted and refrozen ice creates uneven surfaces, leading to falls even when things aren’t as slick.
Because ice often forms on hard, unyielding surfaces, these falls usually result in some kind of injury.
Types of Injuries Caused by Slip and Fall Accidents
A slip on the ice can cause multiple types of injuries, which can range from minor to severe. These include:
- Broken bones and fractures
- Sprains and strains
- Head injuries like concussions
- Back and neck injuries
- Traumatic brain injuries
- Joint injuries
- Hip fractures
- Internal organ damage
How Can an Attorney Help You After a Slip and Fall on Ice?
If you have been injured in a slip-and-fall accident, it is important to contact a personal injury attorney to determine your legal options. If your fall was the result of someone else’s negligence or carelessness, you may be able to receive compensation for your losses.
An attorney can help you with the following essential steps after an accident:
- Collect and review evidence from the scene of the accident
- Investigate the accident to understand what contributed to your fall
- Identify all liable parties
- Negotiate with insurance companies on your behalf
- Determine the value of your claim by documenting and calculating your injuries, expenses, lost income, pain and suffering, and more
- File court documents
When you have an experienced attorney on your side, you increase your chances of recovering maximum compensation.
Who Is Responsible for a Slip and Fall?
One of the responsibilities of your attorney is to identify the liable party or parties, as their action (or inaction) caused your injuries.
Liability depends on whether the hazardous accumulation of ice was something the property owner or manager should have known about and addressed reasonably. If the responsible party fails to properly maintain the property, identify icy conditions, or address risk factors, then they may be named in a liability claim.
Challenges to Getting Compensation for an Indianapolis Slip and Fall on Ice
An insurance company may try to argue that a fall victim “should have known it was icy” and “should have taken precautions to avoid a fall.”
It can be challenging to establish negligence and liability, which is why it is always better to work with an experienced slip-and-fall attorney who can clearly lay out the case regarding who was responsible.
Crossen Law Firm: Helping Indiana’s Slip and Fall Victims Get Compensation
If you or a loved one has suffered a serious injury because of a slip and fall on ice, our Indianapolis area attorneys can help. A slip-and-fall-on-ice lawsuit is often complicated and takes a lot of time, but Crossen Law Firm can take away the burden and stress of trying to get compensation on your own.
Our team is made up of dedicated personal injury attorneys with a proven track record of fighting for maximum compensation for our clients. Victims of preventable accidents deserve to have their rights protected.
We handle all of our cases on contingency, so there is no risk regarding our services. You pay nothing unless we obtain compensation for you!
Contact our office today at 317-401-8626 for a free consultation to discuss your case.
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