Brampton personal injury lawyers know from their experience in dealing with such cases that injuries from slip and fall accidents can cause a huge disruption in the victim’s life. Often, the whole family may face serious physical, financial and emotional repercussions.

In the midst of attending to the injuries and medical issues, people often forget that they have certain legal rights and entitlements. Accidents are rarely as “accidental” as they seem. They are usually caused by someone’s fault, negligence, or the deliberate flouting of safety norms for various reasons.

In Ontario as in many other parts of the world, property owners and occupiers are responsible to ensure that a reasonable standard of safety is maintained on their premises for all legitimate visitors who  enter. There are often very clear contributing risk factors.

If you or a dear one has been injured in such an accident, contact the nearest personal injury lawyer in Brampton. You may be entitled to compensation.

Slip and Fall Accidents and Injuries

Studies show that  in 2002-2004, more than half (57%) of injury-related hospitalizations were due to unintentional falls. Many of these resulted in death or serious injuries.

Slip and fall or trip and fall accidents are especially dangerous in the case of the elderly, and many of them get immobilized, unable to continue with their normal routine, leading to depression, poor nutrition and development of more serious medical issues. Pregnant women are also at risk. These accidents are a major issue in workplaces too.

The most common injuries sustained are:

• Head injuries ranging from deep cuts to traumatic brain injury
• Arm, hand, shoulder fractures, sprain
• Feet, knee, ankle fractures
• Wounds and lacerations
• Internal organ damage
• Injuries caused by falling on sharp objects like spiked railings, or hard surfaces
• Neck and spine injuries
• Facial and dental damage
• Disability, disfigurement or death

Many initial medical costs may be covered by the Ontario Health Insurance Plan (OHIP) but it does not cover the cost of drugs, long-term rehabilitation, caregiver expenses or loss of income.

Common Mistakes

Like all personal injury claims, this too hinges on proving fault/negligence, establishing ownership of the property and fixing liability. There are also several legal, medical and insurance issues involved, paperwork to be completed and filed within time-frames especially if a municipal property is involved, filing at the right venue and jurisdiction, negotiating with insurers, etc.

A percentage of such accidents go unreported because the victims feel that their injuries were too minor or that they themselves were somehow to blame.

Some other common mistakes that people make include:

• Not reporting the accident immediately to those in authority
• Failing to collect important documents, details, photos of location
• Not seeking immediate medical attention
• Failing to follow doctor’s advice
• Not being proactive about your recovery, keeping your doctor updated
• Failing to preserve apparel and footwear worn at the time
• Failing to get legal advice
• Not making a note of important details like time/date/location
• Agreeing to a quick if meager settlement

Injured victims or their families must consult an experienced Brampton slip and fall injury lawyer to ensure that they receive the right compensation and that their rights are protected.