Sometimes the most unexpected occurrences cause the most significant amount of damages. Hidden dangers can cause someone to slip and fall and wind up with devastating personal injuries. In some cases, similar to slip and fall accidents, tripping forward can also mean a lifetime of recovery.
It could seem simple. You walk into a store or even a local restaurant. In both scenarios, you’re considered a business invitee. The proprietors have certain obligations when it comes to ensuring your safety. Otherwise, they face the prospect of a premises liability lawsuit if you’re injured on their property.
What are the responsibilities of property owners who own or maintain businesses? In the first place, it’s necessary that they keep the premises safe. Of course, this suggests attention to both maintenance and repairs.
However, negligence isn’t the only thing that matters when it comes to premises liability. Other considerations include:
- Did the property owner or someone under their control create the dangerous condition?
- Were they aware of the danger?
In the meantime, you may not understand there’s a difference between slipping and falling and tripping and falling. After all, in both cases, the end result is that you often suffer injuries when you hit the ground.
Insurance companies investigating claims question the manner in which accidents happen for a variety of reasons. You might be surprised when an insurance adjuster claims your version of the incident doesn’t match up with the resultant harm.
The Difference Between Slip and Fall and Trip and Fall Accidents
For a moment, consider these two examples to understand the differences between the two types of accidents. Either could happen in a fast food place or in one of Nashville’s more posh eateries.
One of the most common reasons for slip and fall accidents in restaurants are wet floors. In fact, they’re also cited in incidents that occur in supermarkets or even in office lobbies after a heavy rainstorm. In investigating the case, an experienced premises liability attorney knows that it is critical to determine how long the hazardous condition existed.
A slippery surface can result in you losing footing, and you almost always fall backward. Therefore, your claim may be questioned if you allege something wet caused you to land on your face. Some of the more common injuries associated with slip and fall accidents include:
- Back of the head, which could be as severe as a traumatic brain injury
- Neck and back problems
- Hip issues
In some cases, you may hurt other parts of your body as you attempt to break your fall.
Trip and Fall Accidents
There are also plenty of reasons you could trip and fall in a restaurant, or anywhere else for that matter. Unfortunately, your shoe could get caught in a piece of frayed carpet. The walk area in front of a place may be uneven. Of course, you could also trip over something left on the floor.
Here’s the difference. When you trip and fall, you generally fall forward. In colloquial terms, you might try to avoid a “face plant.” That said, you risk facial injuries the most when you trip and fall. Some other common injuries include:
- Broken bones
- Knee injuries
- Shoulder issues
- Injuries to the front of the head
Like slip and fall accidents, trip and falls can be severe enough to result in fatalities. In fact, the National Safety Council reports that falls are the second leading cause of preventable injury-related deaths in the home and community.
Contact Us
If you or a loved one has suffered harm as a result of a fall, MHPS can help you determine if you have a legal claim. Contact us to schedule an appointment.
