Slip and fall accidents are common in public areas such as retail stores, shopping centres, and offices. They can be caused by a number of hazardous issues and are usually unavoidable for the victim.
If you are the victim of a public liability accident, you need to consider making a personal injury claim. The process of making personal injury claims can be lengthy and complex.
Read on to learn about common slip and fall situations and what you can do to receive compensation.
What Is Public Liability?
Public liability refers to the duty of care owed to an individual by the business or property owner. Personal injury claims usually occur when a person sustains injuries in a public setting as a result of the owner’s business activities.
For example, a person who is injured on a rollercoaster and a theme park has the right to claim damages from the business owner. This is because the owner of the theme park owes a duty of care to its patrons.
Similarly, a person who trips on a broken footpath would be a victim of a public liability accident as it is the responsibility of the local council to maintain the footpath. People in this situation have the right to lodge liability insurance claims.
Common Slip and Fall Situations
Anyone can be the victim of a slip and fall accident. If you believe you are involved in a public liability accident, it is important to consult with compensation lawyers to receive the best information for your personal injury claim.
Common slip and fall situations include:
- Slipping on a wet floor in a supermarket
- Tripping on an uneven footpath
- Sustaining injuries as a result of faulty furniture/appliances on company premises
- Objects falling off of construction sites
- Falling down a flight of stairs that are poorly lit or slippery in a public space
If the risk is foreseeable it is the duty of the business/property owner to make sure their patrons are aware of this so that the risk is reduced. Usually, the actions that person should have taken to reduce risk are considered in public liability insurance claims. You cannot usually hold a person responsible for small or remote risks.
What Do You Do First?
If you believe you have sufficient reasons to believe that you have been involved in a public liability accident, there are certain steps you should take immediately. If possible, you must return to the site the injury was sustained and take photographic evidence of the hazard that caused it.
Attempt to find witnesses who were present at the time of your accident and take down their contact details. Some public spaces may also have video surveillance, so be sure to mention this to your compensation lawyers so they can follow up on it.
Seek medical attention immediately and make copies of your medical documents so that you can include this as evidence in your personal injury claim. If you incur a significant loss of income due to your injury, gather the relevant documents to demonstrate what you would have usually made if you had not sustained the injury (e.g. pay slips and business contracts).
How Compensation Lawyers Can Help
Personal injury claims can be complicated, which is why you should always speak with experienced compensation lawyers. A public liability lawyer can ensure that you have gathered all the right pieces of evidence and submit all the relevant documentation in a timely manner.
Most compensation lawyers also offer free consultation services and a “no win, no fee” guarantee which means you do not have to pay thousands of dollars right off the bat.
What Are You Entitled To?
If you have sustained a serious injury due to another person’s negligence you may receive compensation which will cover you for the following:
- Past and future medical expenses
- Past and future loss of wages
- Damages for pain and suffering, psychological trauma, and loss of quality of life
- Cost of personal or domestic medical care
- Out of pocket expenses such as home modifications
Business owners public liability insurance will cover some of the amount of compensation to be paid.
Time Restrictions For Personal Injury Claims
Time limits for making a personal injury claim can vary as serious physical injury can hinder the individual from taking immediate legal action. Generally, it is expected that you lodge your claim within three years of the accident occurring. However, the sooner you begin your personal injury claim, the sooner you can receive the compensation you deserve.
If you believe you have been involved in a public liability accident, get in touch with Schreuders today.