Injury Archives - Foreign policy

All you need to know about Spinal Cord Work Injuries

Published on February 19, 2021

Workplace injuries can be catastrophic to the life of any worker, especially when it is severe. One of the most painful and debilitating things that can occur on a job site is a spinal cord injury. Many times, the consequences of an incident like this can be extremely expensive and may affect a worker for the rest of his or her life.

According to data from the National Spinal Cord Injury Statistical Center, 294,000 Americans live with spinal cord issues, and there are about 17,810 new cases each year. Also, an estimated 78% of those affected by SCI are men, and the average age is 43 years. Workplace injuries represent one of the most important sources of this type.

Unfortunately, spinal cord injuries are often devastating enough to prevent the vast majority of people who sustain them from returning to work. An estimated 12% of people with SCI are employed, and after 20 years, that figure only increases to about 30%.

As you can imagine, spinal cord can result in extremely costly medical expenses, which can eventually reach a million dollars or more. The only way you can deal with these expenses is through workers’ compensation benefits, but obtaining them can be quite complicated.

If you have suffered a spinal injury, the best way to increase your chances of getting the compensation you need to pay for your long-term rehabilitation and high medical expenses is to work with an excellent los angeles workers compensation law firm, such as C&B Law Group, that is always available to help you with anything you need. In California, you can find many experienced workers’ compensation law firms with track records of success that demonstrate their commitment to their clients, such as www.cblawgroup.com and many more. Most of them offer free consultations, so feel free to call them if you want to know how they can help you.

Symptoms

Similar to the brain, the human spinal cord cannot regrow cells. Therefore, some spinal cord symptoms may appear immediately, and others may appear over time. The symptoms of spinal cord vary depending on the severity of it. Based on the degree of the injury and the location where it occurred, the symptoms usually include the following:

Numbness of extremities.
Pain in the neck, back or head.
Loss of motor functions or loss of coordination.
Loss of sensation in hands, feet, fingers.
Partial or complete paralysis of the body.

All spinal cord injuries are unique. To know exactly what type you suffered, you should see a doctor as soon as possible.

Types of Spinal Cord Injuries

Your spine is home to many vital nerves that connect the brain to many muscles and organs. A damage to this part of your body can expose these nerves to severe consequences, which are often categorized as follows:

Paraplegia: When a person loses sensation in both legs, and the ability to move them.
Triplegia: When the person is unable to move their legs and one arm, in addition to losing sensation in those limbs.
Quadriplegia: This is the most severe case, as the person loses sensation and movement in both arms and legs, and usually needs a respirator since chest muscles may also be affected.

Common causes

The leading cause of spinal injuries is motor vehicle accidents, which contribute about 38% of all annual cases. On the other hand, falls account for 30.5%, followed by violent acts with 13.5%, sports with 9%, medical or surgical with 5%, and 4% composed of a variety of other causes, such as degenerative disc disease, repetitive motion injuries, being struck by work equipment, inflammation, and infection.

How does a Spinal Cord Injury affect your life?

After a spinal cord injury, your life will change completely. Initially, chances are you won’t be able to work for a while, and if your occupation required you to do any significant physical exertion, as is the case for construction workers and athletes, you most likely won’t be able to return to work ever again and will have to learn another less physically demanding profession. Moreover, you may not be able to enjoy some of your favorite hobbies again.

Furthermore, the little things in life, such as preparing a cup of coffee in the morning, running errands, moving freely in your home, and many other things will become considerably more difficult (or impossible) after that.

The University of Alabama conducted a study to determine the effect of a spinal cord injury on a person’s life expectancy. The results stated that, on average, the life expectancy of someone who suffers a spinal cord is reduced by 5.2 years. Meanwhile, if the injury causes the worker to require a ventilator, their life expectancy is reduced by 33.2 years.

Plus, rest assured that an injury of this nature will affect your financial life. The long-term expenses that a spinal cord issue can cause are very high. That’s why it’s important to make sure you get workers’ compensation benefits to help you afford all those medical and rehabilitation expenses.

What can you obtain after a spinal cord injury at work?

The workers’ compensation benefits you may receive after a spinal cord injury varies depending on the severity of it. These benefits include:

Temporary total disability: You will receive money for as long as you are unable to work due to the limitations caused by your injury. You will receive benefits until you get a job that accommodates your current condition.
Permanent or total disability benefits: If your spinal cord injury has made you unable to use your arms and legs for work, you will receive payments permanently.
Lifetime medical award: An amount of money to cover expenses incurred due to your injury, including home modifications and payment for ongoing medical care.
Vocational rehabilitation: If you are unable to return to your previous job but are still able to work in some way, you will receive vocational rehabilitation to help you do so.

Obtaining these benefits is often extremely challenging, especially in more severe cases. Therefore, the best thing you can do to increase your chances of getting the maximum compensation for your case is to work with a workers’ compensation attorney near you.

How Can You Get Back in Shape After An Injury?

Published on October 19, 2020

Health

There is any number of situations that can lead to an injury.

You may be injured due to your workouts, particularly if you’re doing something especially strenuous like weight lifting or training for a marathon.

Some accidents can cause injuries.

According to Patino Law Firm, 1.7 million rear-end collisions happen in the U.S. each year. Those collisions may seem mild but can cause whiplash and a variety of other neck and back injuries.

Even if you were very active before an injury, it could be challenging to get back in shape after recovering.

Despite the challenges, we know how important working out and getting enough physical activity are to our overall physical and mental health.

The following are some tips to help you get back into the swing of things following an injury.

Follow Your Doctor’s Advice

First and foremost, when you’re injured, whether it’s a very mild injury or perhaps something more severe, you need to consult with your doctor through the entire process.

Don’t try to start doing more than what your doctor says you should do. You can risk further injuring yourself.

Take it slow and be steady as you work to get back in shape. If you ever experience pain or feel like you’re doing too much, stop.

When you’re ready to start exercising again, try to do about 20% less than what you feel like you can do.

If you’ve been injured and not exercising for a while, you might want to do even less.

Your body is going to be at a different place than it was previously.

Start by Stretching

If your doctor says it’s okay, you can stretch throughout your injury recovery. Stretching is important unless your recovery requires that you be completely immobilized.

If you don’t move at all, your muscles can get stiff and can start to break down.

If you’re able to stretch, it will help your muscles stay stronger, reducing pain.

Then, once you’re ready to become active again, you’ll be at a better starting point.

Stretching can be part of active recovery, and an important one at that.

Consider Swimming

As you’re easing back into working out, if possible, try to start with swimming.

Swimming is a wonderful activity following an injury because of the buoyance that alleviates the pressure on your muscles and injured tissue.

You can swim not only for an aerobic workout, but it can also help you rebuild muscle. There are water weights you can use for pool weight training too.

Of course, even with something gentle like swimming, make sure you’re always listening to your body and taking the cues it’s giving you.

Cross-Train

As you start a fitness routine after an injury, cross-training can help you get fit faster, and it can also help you avoid furthering your injury by focusing too much on any one thing.

Cross-training means that you’re just doing different activities.

You might add swimming, walking, and biking to your routine for example.

Work with a Trainer

If you’ve never done it before, following an injury might be a good time to think about working with a professional trainer.

There are a few reasons for this.

First, it can be tough to get motivated to start working out again after taking a break for an injury.

A trainer can help you stay focused and accountable and get you on a plan you can follow.

Additionally, a trainer is an expert, so they’ll be able to figure out what’s going to work best for you based on your fitness level and also the ramifications of your injury.

Following the right form when you exercise is always of the utmost importance, especially when you return after an injury.

A trainer will help you with your form, which can help you get fit faster and also help you avoid future injuries.

Some of the things a trainer will likely tell you about form include to keep your spine straight and relax your shoulders.

You should also aim to move from your hips when you’re doing lower-body and full-body exercises. You don’t want to involve your lower back.

Don’t Take Pain Medicine Before You Workout

After an injury, you may be regularly using pain medicines, such as Tylenol or Advil. Avoid them when you start working out again.

Pain is important because it’s your body’s way of telling you something is wrong.

If you mask pain while working out, your body can’t give you the cues it needs to keep you safe.

When you feel pain when you’re working out you need to either stop altogether or limit your range of motion so that you return to a pain-free zone.

Incorporate Active Recovery

After you work out, and throughout the week, give yourself plenty of time for active recovery.

Active recovery is a way for your body to rest and heal, and those are elements that are important to be physically fit as well.

Foam rollers are an inexpensive way to help your body recover from not only exercise but also your injury as well. A foam roller can be used to massage the muscles around your injury and the muscles you focused on during your workout.

You can use ice packs after a workout or, if you have access, take a swim in a cold pool after you finish working out.

Give yourself time after each workout and between workouts to stretch. Try to focus on long, deep but gentle stretches. Hold each stretch for at least a minute, and if you feel pain, come out of the stretch.

Finally, fuel yourself and aid your recovery by getting enough sleep each night, staying hydrated and eating a healthy diet.

It’s certainly possible to get fit after an injury, but it takes time. Don’t be too hard on yourself, and do what you can do without experiencing pain or too much strain.

What Qualifies You for Workers Comp

Published on August 25, 2020

Business

There are two main factors that will determine whether or not you are eligible for workers’ compensation. These are the type of employee you are and the type of injury or illness you’ve sustained. To qualify for workers’ comp, your condition must have happened while you were performing job-related duties.

The Types of Employment That Qualify

If you are an employee of a company, you qualify for workers’ comp benefits. This includes full-time employees, part-time employees, temporary workers, and seasonal workers. There is no minimum period of time that you’re required to be with the company before you’re eligible. Any employee is eligible, period.

Freelancers, get ready for the bad news. Freelance workers, independent contractors, volunteers, and consultants are not eligible for workers’ comp benefits. The good news is you can get your own workers’ compensation insurance coverage. In certain situations, your injury or illness may be covered even if you work from home.

Often employers miscategorize workers. This can be on accident, such as someone who is just starting a business and doesn’t understand the laws. This can also be deliberate, which would apply to someone who owns a business and wants to save money by treating you like a 1099 independent contractor when you actually are an employee under the law.

These are some of the situations that could make you an employee, even if your employee says you’re a contractor:

You must work in the office
You must work certain hours
You are under someone else’s direction
Taxes are being withheld from your paycheck

Independent contractors are paid for the finished product. As long as you meet your deadlines, how, where, and when you complete the work is up to you. If you work so many hours for a company that you don’t have other clients, you may also be an employee.

If you were injured on the job and you believe you are an employee but your employer says you are not, you have rights. Before you accept your employer’s denial of workers’ comp benefits, you may want to speak to a lawyer. Visit here to learn more about workers’ compensation attorneys in your area.

The Types of Injuries and Illnesses that Qualify

If your illness or injury happened while you were performing work related to your job, you will most likely be covered. This includes conditions that happened in the workplace and outside of the workplace while you were carrying out duties related to your job, such as running errands, attending office functions, or being injured while telecommuting.

These are some of the types of injuries that are covered:

Cumulative trauma disorders
Repetitive stress injuries
Illnesses from exposure to toxins
Slip and fall injuries
Injuries from machinery
Automobile accidents
Workplace violence

Conditions that happened while you were commuting or on your lunch break wouldn’t be covered. Business owners, partners, part-time domestic workers and gardeners, taxi drivers, intermittent workers, longshoremen, federal employees, and railroad workers are also not covered. In most cases, injuries that are related to stress or mental illness are not covered.

When a Workers’ Comp Claim May Be Denied

Some of the most common reasons claims are denied include the employer not believing you were injured at work or an injury that did not cause you to miss work or receive medical treatment. Some employers will not file a claim if your condition can’t be medically verified, such as unexplained chronic pain.

Some claims may be denied because there were no witnesses to the injury or there is no video footage from security cameras. If there are discrepancies in your report or you don’t cooperate with the process, you may also be denied. If it’s determined that you had a pre-existing condition that caused your injury, they will also use that to reject your claim.

Other reasons a claim can be denied are related to the employee’s actions. These are the main categories.

The Employee Was Under the Influence

According to one study conducted by the University of Buffalo Research Institute on Addictions, 2.1 million American workers have worked while they were under the influence of alcohol. The National Safety Council has reported that 75% of adults with a substance abuse problem are participating in the workforce. If you are one of them, your claim may be denied.

Misconduct

Employee misconduct is another reason your claim may be denied. This includes horseplay, breaking safety protocol, and any other situation in which it can be demonstrated that you knew the potential consequences of your actions but chose to risk your safety anyway.

Workplace Violence

If you were the instigator in an act of workplace violence, you can also kiss your workers’ comp claim goodbye. Only the victims of violence qualify for this coverage. If you were the aggressor and you received an injury, you’ll be responsible for your own damages.

What to Do if Your Claim Is Rejected

If your claim is denied, try, try again. According to Risk and Insurance, nearly 70% of denied claims end up being converted and paid within the first year after appealing. Only 5% of cases end up going to trial. The odds are in your favor, so it’s worth taking the time to contact your employer’s insurance carrier to see if you can work out a solution.

If this doesn’t fix your situation, you’ll need to get a lawyer who can help you request a hearing with the state’s board. You can also sue your employer if you believe they are deliberately interfering with your claim or refusing to file it.

If you decide to settle your claim, your lawyer will negotiate with the insurance carrier for a fair settlement, which will then be paid out as a lump sum or as a structured settlement. If you don’t think the settlement is enough, you can choose to go to trial, but this is a more expensive and riskier option. Your attorney can tell you what the best option is for your situation and don’t hesitate if you find yourself in one of the above mentioned cases.

Top Reasons Workers’ Compensation Claims Are Denied

Published on June 12, 2020June 12, 2020

Tips

Were you injured at work and now find you are unable to return to work? For those who answered “yes,” to this question, the next step is to file a claim to receive workers’ compensation benefits. However, there are several reasons your claim may not be approved. If your claim is denied, though, it does not mean it is the end of the road.

If you have recently been denied your benefits or if you have been injured and don’t know what the next steps are, hiring a workers’ compensation attorney like the team at zavodnicklaw.com is a smart move. It is also a good idea to get to know the most common reasons that claims are denied, which are found below.

You Failed to Notify Your Employer in a Timely Manner

You must report an injury to your employer when it occurs. If you fail to do this, several factors may come into play that makes it easier for the insurance company to try to deny your claim.

For example, if you do not tell them right away, they may not have the time or ability to investigate the accident right away because of the amount of time that has passed. In some cases, the insurance provider for the workers’ compensation injury may state you did not suffer the injury while at work or in the course of your job. They make this conclusion because if you are injured, you would report the incident immediately.

The Injury Did Not Take Place During Typical Work Activities

If the injury you experienced did not happen while you were at work, you will not be able to receive benefits, in most situations. However, there are some grey areas related to this ruling. For example, if the injury took place during a work event or even while you were on break, there are some factors that will come into play and need to be considered.

You Did Not Visit the Right Medical Provider

Your employer, along with its insurance company, has the right to provide you with a list of doctors who are approved to provide you with treatment. The problem with this is that the doctors on this list may not always have your best interest top of mind when it comes to your claim. You also have the right to select your own doctor, too. If you find competing options from these two sides, it is a good idea to hire an attorney immediately.

There Is a Pre-Existing Injury Involved

If you have a pre-existing injury or condition, the insurance company may use it to deny your claim. However, there are many work injuries that will make a pre-existing condition worse than before, which means you are now in a position where you are unable to work when you could before. This, like many other scenarios, is a good example of when it is smart to get an attorney involved.

No Supporting Medical Records

If you have not received any medical treatment related to your work injury, the insurance company may state that the injury did not exist when you claim it happened. Also, if you are laid off between when you are injured and when you file the workers’ compensation claim, it may be said that it as a cause and effect situation, and not related to the injury you experienced.

The best way to make sure your claim has the best chance possible of being successful is to get to a doctor right away. Keep in mind though, the doctor you choose to provide care for your work-related injury matters, as previously mentioned.

The Paperwork Was Not Filed in a Timely Manner

Along with reporting the injury to your employer and taking the other necessary steps, it is essential that you file the paperwork in a timely manner if you want to file a workers’ compensation claim.

If you happen to miss the deadline or timeframe, you may have the validity of your claim questioned by the company providing workers’ compensation coverage to your employer.

The Injury Took Place Outside of Typical Job Duties

If you suffer an injury because of horseplay, a fight, or some other type of work-related action, then your claim will probably be denied. Also, depending on the investigation that is done of this incident, it could be misreported by the company. So if the claim is denied, it is only going to be legitimate, if this is what caused the injury at work.

You Can’t Explain Your Injury

During the regular grind of a typical workday, you may suffer an injury and not even realize it immediately. This makes it difficult to determine why and when the injury actually took place. While this is true, it does not mean you are not allowed to file a claim.

Your Employer Has Disputed the Claim

While this goes along with some of the other reasons listed above, the truth is, an employer may dispute a claim that has been filed. This is why it is so important that you report your injury immediately and that you begin the process to receive the compensation you deserve.

If there were any witnesses to your injury, they should be included in your initial report to minimize the likelihood that this will happen.

You Didn’t Hire a Workers’ Compensation Attorney

Regardless of the situation, having a workers’ compensation attorney involved as early as possible is essential to have the claim approved. If you have been denied, an attorney will also help you review the claim and set you up for approval.

You Can’t Afford to Make a Mistake

When it comes to filing for workers’ compensation following a workplace injury or accident, you need to make sure you have a plan. You must also know what mistakes you should avoid.

Hiring an attorney is also a smart move, as this is going to help ensure the desired results are achieved. While there are no guarantees when it comes to workers’ compensation, knowing what to do and what to expect is crucial.

9 Ways to Relieve Neck and Shoulder Tension

Published on December 9, 2019

Health

If you work at a computer you know how tense and painful your neck and shoulders can get. Many of us don’t notice right away but find at the end of the day that we are horribly sore. You want to go home and relax but those everyday aches can make it hard to unwind. If you work in an office, it’s extremely important to make sure that sitting all day doesn’t leave you tense to the point that it’s hard to unwind. For some people, it’s an occasional irritation, but for many people it’s a chronic and painful issue. Here are nine tips for easing and preventing neck and shoulder tension. Remember, you should always ask your office for as much help as you need to sit properly. It’s in your workplace’s best interest to keep you from discomfort and injury.

Keep your head straight: If you spend a lot of time at the keyboard make sure you’re sitting as comfortable as possible. Your computer monitor should be directly in front of your field of vision. You may not realize how much time you spend looking up or down. You should be looking straight ahead as much as you can. Adjust the height of your monitor until you feel comfortable
Don’t lean forward: You should keep the weight of your head directly above your shoulders. Your head is heavy about 10 pounds—and that weight will put a lot of strain on your muscles if you slouch forward too much. Resist the urge to prop your chin on your hand. Remember: sitting symmetrically is your best bet.
Support your arms: The weight of your arms should be supported at all times either on your desk or the arms of your chair. Holding them up puts the strain off your shoulders
Keep your arms in a natural position: If your keyboard is too low you’ll be reaching down. Too high and you’ll be straining up. Your arms should be bent at a neutral 90-degree angle (While you’re at it make sure your wrists are straight as well).
Don’t let your feet dangle: It might not make sense at first but you use your head and shoulders to counterbalance your weight. Make sure you can keep your feet flat on the ground. Almost everybody sits too high to keep their feet comfortably flat. Try lowering your chaff or buying a footstool
Get up and move around: At least once an hour, get up and move. Get your blood flowing? It’s a good idea to take a break from your computer every now and then for physical and mental wellbeing.

Stretch: But be careful! That crack may feel good when you’re tense but if you hear your neck or shoulders pop you’re straining them way too much. Any yoga teacher tell you “too much stretch is worse than no stretch at all “. Roll your shoulders gentry forward ten times and back ten times. Swing your head slowly from side to side. Tilt-back and then forward.
Get warm—but not too warm: Many people’s go-to for neck and shoulder tension is a hot back or shower. But be careful if you hop out of that shower into a cold room the sudden change in temperature may actually make things worse! Our bodies don’t like abrupt temperature transitions. Try making that bath or shower warm instead of hot make sure your home is nice and toasty and ease from one temperature environment to another slowly.

Try a massage: Buy you don’t need to spend money on a massage therapist. A massager like this one can be used daily. If you’re in pain, you’ll notice immediately how much more relaxed you feel after just 20 minutes. It can also be preventative-a human massage therapist will use lots of pressure for instant relief but that relief only lasts a little while. It’s actually healthier to use gentler pressure over time. You don’t need to push hard into your muscles. Press gentry and hold, breathing deeply. Go a little firmer only after you get used to the lighter pressure. Regular use of the massager can mean that neck and shoulder tension is a thing of the past. We can refer you to pickmyperfect.com to check out some more options

Steps to Take After Slip and Fall Accidents

Published on November 1, 2019

Health

Slip and fall accidents fall under personal injury. It is a type of liability wherein the injured person has the right to seek compensation for his injuries sustained from slipping and falling on the property of another person. Knowing what steps to take right after the slip and fall can help increase your chances of obtaining a favorable result for your claim.

Report the Accident

It is important for you to report the event to whoever owns the property or is in charge of the premises where the injury occurred. If the injury occurred in a commercial property, you should report the event to whoever is in charge. Always report it to the person with the highest rank. If it occurred on public property, you can report it to the town or city hall.

Reporting the accident at once can help you establish the legitimacy of your claim. This is especially true if no one witnessed the event. Insurers can always claim that you sustained your injuries from another location and not from the place cited in your claim.

Make an Accurate Documentation of the Accident

Some slip and fall accidents may not allow you to gather as much information as you want. You can use your smartphone’s camera to take pictures of the scene. Take pictures of your injuries as well. If your injuries prevent you from taking pictures, you can have someone else take images of the scene. You can also take a video recording of the event scene.

According to the lawyers at aronberglaw.com, it is critical to make accurate documentation of slip and fall accidents. This is especially true if you slipped and fell on ice. Ice can melt in an instant or people can clear it out. You may no longer have the evidence you need to support your claim.

Get the contact information of any witness to the accident. This will help you in your slip and fall case.

Attend to Your Injuries

You should seek medical treatment for your injuries. This will also serve as one of the pieces of evidence that you will need to build and support your case. A doctor can help document your injuries, including the various treatments that you will undergo. Make sure to keep all assessment findings, laboratory and diagnostic results, and your plan of care.

Call a Personal Injury Lawyer

Make sure to call an attorney who specializes in slip and fall accidents. There is a good chance that an insurance adjuster will get in touch with you to get your version of the event. Under no circumstance should you communicate with the other person’s insurer? Let your attorney be the one to communicate your concerns. Insurers often undermine the validity of your claim. Personal injury lawyers know these tactics and know-how to counter them.

It is best to adhere to these steps if you want just compensation for your injuries in a case of accident like that. Gathering as much evidence as possible and employing the services of a personal injury lawyer can help you achieve a favorable outcome for your claim.

Top Reasons Why You Should Hire a Personal Injury Attorney

Published on October 17, 2019

Tips

Life isn’t always nice to people. There are both positive and negative situations around us all the time. Therefore, it’s common for people to become victims of accidents.

No matter which type of accident they are in, a bunch of problems suddenly arise. And between all the chaos, you need a person to bring you on the right path. They are there for you when you struggle to restore the order in your life.

However, many people are reluctant when it comes to hiring a personal injury attorney. So, here we’ll elaborate on the top reasons why you need this individual and what they give you. Enjoy!

Experience and Legal Advice

If you’re alone after the accident you give the insurance company a chance to manipulate you. This is due to the fact that the company usually has a team of experienced lawyers that will make sure its interests are satisfied.

To ensure you protect your rights, you need an attorney. These professionals have experience in their field and are able to guide you through the whole process. Not to mention that they offer legal advice to help you win.

Increased Liability

To be successful at court, victims need to present relevant documents, proof of the accident, reports, testimony of the witnesses, and other evidence before the judge. This way they stand a chance at receiving what they deserve.

With a personal injury attorney, you will be able to obtain all of these details because these professionals are responsible for gathering and presenting trustworthy evidence. As a result, they increase your liability in the judge’s eyes.

Luckily, the number of lawyers you can hire out there is really big. You should only pick the one that matches your budget and expectations. On websites like budinlawoffices.com for personal injury attorneys, for instance, there is information like this to give you an idea of whether you should hire the lawyer or not.

Support

One of the main things victims require after an accident is support in every form. Aside from the legal procedures, the lawyers sit together with their clients and offer them the needed support.

Thanks to their expertise they know exactly how to approach the matter and show the victims that they can get back to normal as much as the situation allows. Also, they can focus on their personal healing with the knowledge that someone else takes care of their case.

Investigation

Another detail you gain is a thorough investigation of what happened. The attorney’s team that’s usually comprised of experts, go over the whole situation and explore how the accident came to be.

After this, the client has sufficient knowledge and proof of the circumstances that led to it and who is to blame.

A Final Word

Are you in need of an accident attorney? Were these reasons enough to show you how important it is for you to hire one of these individuals to handle your case? Talk to us about everything here.

Should you hire a Lawyer for a Slip and Fall Accident?

Published on June 17, 2019April 21, 2020

Business

Are you thinking about should you hire a lawyer for a slip and fall accident? The answer to that is not always easy, usually, it is a maybe. There are various factors that will influence the decision and each of the factors needs to be carefully thought about before you proceed. Of course, after a slip and fall accident, it is natural that you might question yourself on consulting or hiring a lawyer. It is never a bad thing to use your free consultation to present the aspects of the case to a lawyer. The layer will then take a look at your injuries, whether the party was unaware of maintaining a safe environment, and the amount of money the insurance company is offering to you.

Only then can you actually decide on proceeding with a lawsuit or not. Before going on to the main point of this article, here is a little information about slip and fall accidents. According to cordiscosaile.com, this accident can occur from something referred to as “premises liability” which is the responsibility of the owner of the property. They need to ensure the safety of their workers, visitors, or resident. Property owners can be liable both financially and legally for slip and fall accidents that happen on their property.

Owners of office buildings, malls, and apartment buildings, as well as other property types, are responsible for the safety of the people who are on their property. This means that they need to implement care in order to keep the premises safe by inspecting the building and surrounding area are safe for people. Hence, if a slip and fall accident happens, they can be held accountable as a direct result of them not being able to provide a safe environment.

When should you call a lawyer?

There are specific circumstances when you should consult an attorney. These circumstances include:

1. If you believe the owner knew about the dangerous conditions

If you believe that the owner knew about the potential dangers that caused your injury, you should immediately get in touch with a lawyer. The owners who do not properly and regularly inspect their premises can be held accountable for not maintaining their property. However, you will have to prove that the location has not been inspected properly. Also, if the landlord or other people got complaints about the conditions at the property, but did nothing to solve the problem, this can work in your favor.

2. What led to the fall

This is where it becomes a bit tricky. Just because you fell somewhere does not mean that it is their fault. For example, if you fell down the stairs. There are questions that might arise, like how did the fall happen? What type of shoes did you have on? Where you holding the handrail or perhaps did you carry something? These are important information that the defense lawyer, the insurer, and if it comes to going to the court, the jury will want to know as well.

3. The extent of your injuries

Even if you did fall due to bad maintenance, a twisted ankle might not be worth the time and money that is involved in a lawsuit. However, if you fell and hit your head, causing it to bleed, then yes, getting an attorney is a good idea. The bigger the injury, the more impact it will have on your life.

Conclusion

As you read in the article, sometimes it is quite important to hire a slip and fall attorney and in other cases, you can simply fill in a claim with your insurance agency and take their offer. Keep in mind that you should always consult your lawyer and then, together with them consider what your next step will be.

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