Broken pavement, poorly lit areas, and wet floors can cause devastating slip-and-fall accidents. Victims of slip and fall accidents can face expensive medical bills, lengthy recovery times, and painful injuries, preventing victims from engaging in their day-to-day activities.
You may be entitled to compensation if you or your loved one has become injured in a slip and fall accident in Hot Springs, Arkansas. At Rochelle McCullough, LLP, our attorneys are prepared to help you pursue the maximum amount of compensation possible with trustworthy legal representation.
How Common Are Slip and Fall Accidents in Hot Springs?
The National Safety Council reports that falls are one of the leading causes of unintentional injury and death in the United States. Every year, over six million people in the U.S. receive emergency room treatment for fall-related injuries. Seniors over the age of 65 are more likely to suffer significant injuries after a fall, which can cause hip fractures and other broken bones. When older individuals fall and suffer hip fractures, victims may need extensive surgeries and rehabilitation.
Common Causes of Slip and Fall Accidents in Arkansas
Slip and fall accidents can happen nearly anywhere, from a sidewalk to a retail location. Ultimately, business owners are obligated to ensure their properties are reasonably safe for customers and guests. Victims can slip and fall and become injured when they fail to maintain their properties or warn guests of dangerous conditions. Some of the most common scenarios leading to slip and fall accidents include the following:
- Loose carpeting
- Cracks in the sidewalk or pavement
- Uneven or loose flooring
- Dangerous staircases
- Slippery or wet floors
- Ice or snow on walkways
- Insufficient lighting
- Unmarked hazards
- Debris or clutter in walkways
Injuries Caused By Slip and Fall Accidents in Arkansas
Sometimes, slip and fall accidents are minor, and victims recover quickly. In other cases, victims suffer life-altering injuries that prevent them from being able to work and engage in activities they once loved. Serious accidents can cause permanent disabilities.
For example, if a victim slipped and hit their head on the concrete, their occipital lobe could become damaged, which can cause vision loss, pain, dizziness, and a lack of concentration. Fractured spinal cords can lead to paralysis. Victims of slip and fall accidents can suffer a wide range of injuries, ranging from minor to catastrophic, including the following:
- Sprains and strains
- Broken bones
- Concussions
- Soft tissue injuries
- Traumatic brain injuries (TBIs)
- Herniated discs
- Neck injuries
- Spinal cord injuries
- Nerve damage
- Wrongful death
Proving Liability After a Slip and Fall Accident
Unfortunately, most falls are preventable because of someone else’s negligence. To recover compensation for your injuries, you will need to prove liability. Under Arkansas premises liability laws, property owners must keep their properties reasonably safe by maintaining safe conditions. They should also remove any hazards that could cause an accident.
Proving liability means you’ll have to demonstrate the property owner failed to use reasonable care under the circumstances to prevent injuries. You’ll also need to prove the slip and fall accident was reasonably foreseeable. For example, assuming guests can become injured from stumbling down a staircase is reasonably foreseeable when there are no handrails to hold onto. This understanding will prepare you for the legal process.
Arkansas’s Comparative Fault Rule
Arkansas follows a modified comparative fault rule when it comes to liability. To recover damages, a victim must be less than 50 percent at fault for the slip and fall accident. In other words, if you are more than 50 percent at fault for the accident, you won’t be able to pursue a claim.
The amount of compensation the victim can recover will be reduced by their percentage of fault for the accident. For example, suppose a victim is awarded $100,000 in damages for their damages. The court determined they were 10 percent at fault for the accident. In this case, they’d receive $90,000 in total compensation.
What Compensation Is Available After a Slip and Fall Accident in Hot Springs?
Slip-and-fall claims are a type of personal injury accident in which victims can seek financial compensation for their economic and non-economic losses. Victims suffer physically, financially, and emotionally, and they are entitled to compensation for all these types of damages.
If you’ve been injured in an accident that wasn’t your fault, you can pursue various types of damages, including current and future medical bills, lost wages, loss of future earning capacity due to disability, loss of enjoyment of life, disfigurement, emotional distress, mental anguish, and pain and suffering.
What Steps Should I Take After a Slip and Fall Accident?
Understanding the crucial steps to take after a slip and fall accident can ensure you receive the necessary medical care and protect your future compensation claim. The most vital step is to seek immediate medical attention by calling 911 or asking someone else to do so. Reporting the accident to the property owner, managers, and other relevant parties is also important for incident documentation.
If you can do so safely without causing further injury, try taking photos of the accident scene with your cell phone. The property owner or employees may try to clean up the accident scene quickly, which could result in losing important evidence.
For instance, if you slipped on icy steps outside a business, try to capture the ice on the steps in photos. Also, document your injuries. It’s crucial to follow all medical advice and treatments. After receiving medical care, it’s advisable to consult with a seasoned personal injury attorney. They can guide you through the legal process and help you maximize your compensation.
Contact Our Slip and Fall Attorney in Hot Springs, Arkansas Today
Did you or your loved one suffer an injury after slipping and falling on someone else’s property? If so, Rochelle McCullough, LLP can help. Our experienced attorneys have an in-depth knowledge of Arkansas personal injury laws, and we’ll work diligently to help you pursue the full compensation you deserve. Contact Rochelle McCullough, LLP to schedule a complimentary case evaluation.