Slip and Fall Accidents are No Joke!

They are more common than we think and can leave a trail of destruction in their wake. They accounted for more than half of all hospitalizations in Canada between 2002-4 and more than 10,000 people have died in hospitals as a result of injuries sustained in a fall.

Statistics Canada provide alarming figures, with falls being the leading cause of injury in 63% of senior citizens, 50% of adolescents and 35% of working-age adults. Senior citizens are a particularly high-risk group. Many of them reside in retirement homes, nursing-care facilities, condominiums etc where premises owners have to ensure that they remain safe.

Slip/Trip and fall accidents can result in a range of injuries, from sprains or cuts to life-threatening traumatic brain injuries, head/neck/spinal damage, facial and dental damage, internal organ damage and bleeding, disfigurement, etc. Senior citizens are particularly vulnerable, with slip and fall accidents being the most common reason for hip fracture.

Accidents Aren’t Always Accidental

As Ajax personal injury lawyers know from experience, accidents are not the bolt-from-the-blue events that we assume them to be. They’re most often caused by someone’s fault or negligence. In the case of slip and fall accidents, under Ontario laws, the owner/occupier of the property has a duty to ensure that the premises are kept in a state of reasonable safety for all legitimate visitors.

Injured victims suffer various types of losses, including:

• Loss of income/wages/earning-capacity
• Medical and rehabilitation expenses
• Pain and suffering

Although it may not be possible to replace everything that was lost or damaged due to the accident, monetary compensation helps restore the person and family to the financial condition they were in prior to the accident.

It’s important to consult an Ajax personal injury lawyer if you or a dear one has suffered injuries in a slip and fall accident. You may be entitled to compensation.

Condominium Slip And Fall Accidents

Condominiums are multi-unit dwelling structures with each owner holding a title for his/her own unit and a proportionate undivided interest as a tenant along with other similar tenants in all the common areas and facilities.

There are generally owners’ associations or condominium corporations which manage the facilities and maintenance of the premises. They are legally obliged to keep the public areas safe and are liable to pay compensation if an injury occurs in such areas due to their fault or negligence.

Generally such accidents happen due to wet floors, lack of warning signs, badly-maintained pavements/stairs, unanchored carpets/rugs, missing tiles or hand-rails, poor lighting, clutter, etc.

Slip and fall or trip and fall accidents can be extremely dangerous for this age group, due to:

• Poor vision
• Slower reaction times
• Brittle bones
• Reduced general health in seniors

As a result, the injured person can suffer hip or pelvic fracture, broken ribs, injure the knees, sustain facial or dental damage etc. leading to loss of mobility, poor nutrition and loss of social activity. They may need the services of a dedicated care-giver and extensive medical treatment/therapies.

An experienced Ajax personal injury lawyer can provide advice and assistance in achieving the deserved compensation.