After a trip and fall in public, you may rush to stand and brush off any embarrassment. After the moment passes, you may start to feel the indications of an injury.
Slips, trips and falls may cause severe injuries, such as those to the spinal cord, depending on the mechanics of the incident. If you find yourself dealing with the aftermath of a fall, you may wonder if there is any way you can get financial compensation. Understanding what makes this type of incident a personal injury case may help.
Was there something hazardous?
When you get yourself up from the ground after a fall, the first thing you should do is observe your surroundings. Do you see or feel anything that may have contributed to your fall? If the ground has carpet, make sure you check to see if there is an edge or a rip near your vicinity. Tile floors near cold cases in grocery stores may catch condensation and become slick.
Should the owner know about the risk?
The fundamental basis of a personal injury claim is negligence. In slip and fall cases, this means that the property owner should have known there was a risky condition that may result in an incident. For instance, if ice formed on the steps up to a business, the owner knew someone may slide but did not fix it or warn the public about it.
Were you permitted on the property?
Finally, if you get hurt while trespassing, you cannot make a case for personal injury. You have to enter the premises either by invitation or public access. If you fall in someone’s home, it may not qualify for personal injury if you did not have the right to enter.
Recovery after a fall should remain your priority. To do that, you may need to file a personal injury claim.