Slip and falls can cause a person to suffer severe injuries. Slip and falls are often caused because a property owner failed to correct a defective condition on their property. Defective conditions like cracked pavement or icy sidewalks are common causes of slip and fall injuries. Property owners who neglect to maintain their property should be held accountable for their actions. If you or a family member suffered a slip and fall injury, you should speak with an experienced Gladwyne slip and fall lawyer today.
For over 40 years, the personal injury lawyers at The Reiff Law Firm have fought for clients. Our firm understands how a serious injury can affect your life, and we are here to pursue the compensation that you deserve. To schedule a free consultation for your case, call us at (215) 709-6940, or reach us online.
Most Common Types of Slip and Fall Injuries
Slip and falls are the most common type of personal injury claim. There are various types of injuries commonly associated with slip and falls. For example, soft tissue injuries are common after slip and falls. Soft tissue injuries are often hard to prove because they are not plainly visible. Additionally, the symptoms of soft tissue injuries may not appear until days or weeks after a slip and fall. Examples of soft tissue injuries include sprains, strains, contusions, tendinitis, and bursitis.
Head injuries are also a common type of slip and fall injury. Individuals who trip and hit their heads can suffer injuries like bleeding, swelling, and other traumatic brain injuries (TBIs). While some TBIs are not always serious, like concussions, other TBIs can have a permanent effect on your bodily functions. TBIs can cause permanent brain damage or death. Like soft tissue injuries, the symptoms for TBIs may not appear for days or weeks after a slip and fall. Common early warning signs of TBI that indicate you should seek immediate medical care include:
- Convulsions or seizures
- Dilated pupils
- Difficulty waking up
- Prolonged headaches
- Repeated vomiting or nausea
Slip and falls may also cause severe spinal cord injuries. Spinal cord injuries happen when the spinal cord is severed or compressed, causing damage to the vertebrae, ligaments or discs of the spinal column, or to the spinal cord directly. Spinal cord injuries are extremely severe when they affect the upper parts of the spinal cord. For example, cervical spinal cord injuries (upper portion of the spinal cord) can cause quadriplegia (full paralysis). Alternatively, lower spinal cord injuries can cause paraplegia or lower limb paralysis. Spinal cord injuries are one of the most dangerous types of slip and fall injuries and should be taken seriously.
You should seek immediate medical attention for your slip and fall injuries and inform the medical staff of the reason for your injuries. This will help you document your injuries if you decide to file a personal injury claim.
When Should I File My Personal Injury Lawsuit?
Personal injury lawsuits should be filed as soon as possible to avoid circumstances that may hurt or delay your case. For example, if you do not file your personal injury case within two years, Pennsylvania courts may bar your claim. The reason for this is the statute of limitations. The statute of limitations sets the amount of time a person has to file their personal injury case. However, the statute of limitations only applies to the amount of time you have to file your case; it does not apply to how long the case will take to adjudicate.
Another reason to file your personal injury claim as soon as possible is to preserve evidence. Witnesses who can testify concerning your slip and fall injury may forget details if you wait too long to file your case. Additionally, if you wait too long to file your case, evidence needed to prove your case may be lost or destroyed.
Compensation for your injuries is probably the most important reason to file your case early. If you have to pay high medical bills to treat your slip and fall injury, it is a good idea to seek compensation quickly. If you are also missing time at work because of your injuries, money from an injury lawsuit may alleviate your financial responsibilities until you recover.
Gladwyne, PA Personal Injury Attorneys Will Fight Your Slip and Fall Case
If you or a family member was injured in a slip and fall, you should consult with an experienced Gladwyne personal injury attorney. At the law offices of The Reiff Law Firm, we will work to hold negligent property owners accountable for their actions. Our firm handles a variety of personal injury claims, and we will work tirelessly to build your slip and fall case. To schedule a free consultation, call us at (215) 709-6940, or contact us online.
