Slips and falls are very frequent anywhere in the world, especially in public or open spaces, whether due to climatic factors, sudden physical movement, or something that affects mobility.
Therefore, learn below a little about common mistakes after a personal injury. For this reason, knowing what to do after one can reduce the risk of suffering a slip in Massachusetts.
Why do slip-and-fall accidents happen?
Distractions, such as the mobile phone or inattention while walking, are the leading cause of this type of accident. However, it can also occur in commercial premises or public places due to the administrator or owner’s neglect or lack of infrastructure maintenance.
According to data collected by the Center for Disease Control and Prevention in 2018, slips and falls accounted for more than a third of all injuries during that time.
In Massachusetts, the number of slips and falls increased by 16% from 2017 to 2018 and remains on average at that percentage.
What if I want to file a slip-and-fall claim?
According to the country’s statute of limitations, you have three years from when the personal injury occurs to present your case to the corresponding authorities or institutions.
If the cause has been due to the carelessness of another person or due to the lack of maintenance of a property, whether public or private, you have the right to file your complaint in the place where the event occurred. You can do it with your lawyer or in the institution you think is ideal since there is no specific place to present your claim besides the Department of Labor. If it was in your workspace and the insurer or employer does not recognize what happened.
On the other hand, although it does occur in a place such as a restaurant or a medical care center, remember first to notify the administrator, manager, or head of the place to reach an agreement if possible.
How to avoid or reduce the risk of slips and falls?
As we have mentioned, before taking any legal action, consider what happened after receiving the corresponding medical attention. Therefore, if you believe that the accident was due to your negligence, then remember:
– Avoid distractions while walking or going from one place to another, be it on public roads, commercial premises, on the way to work, etc., especially using mobile phones.
– Read and pay attention to the signs to know if a space is under maintenance. This reduces the risk of unintentional injury.
– Wear the correct clothing. If you go to work and know that it will take you time to get to the place, travel with comfortable or extra clothes to avoid the risk of an accident. If you walk, you are a woman and wear heels. There is a potential or greater risk of personal injury from these causes and advantageously during the trip.
In short, most slip-and-fall compensation cases are due to a lack of communication to reach a cooperative agreement between the parties. Unless it is a person with a disability, it is necessary to be responsible for our actions as citizens and pay more attention to our environment to make it a more tolerant and inclusive place.
If you believe you have a case for which you would like compensation, contact our law firm. Schedule an appointment to clarify any doubts you have on the subject in Massachusetts before starting a lawsuit against a business premises, employer, restaurant, etc.
