As the phrase suggests, slip and fall injuries occur when a person slips or trips and falls due to dangerous conditions, such as a wet floor or icy walkway, on someone else’s premises. Injuries resulting from this type of accident can be quite severe, including ligament tears, broken bones, sprains, and brain injuries. Slip and fall accidents are most often caused by others’ recklessness, negligence and/or disregard for peoples’ safety.
Did you know that one out of five slip and fall accidents results in the victim sustaining severe injuries, such as a traumatic brain injury? This statistic reinforces the fact that negligence can lead to life-changing accidents. In such circumstances, those responsible should be held liable. For almost 15 years, NM legal services has been helping victims of slip and fall accidents recover the compensation they need and deserve, so that they can pay for any necessary medical bills, rehabilitation costs and compensate for any lost income. If you or your loved are a victim of a slip and fall injury, contact our Toronto slip and fall accident lawyers for a free, no-obligation consultation.
In Ontario, the limitation period for filing a claim against a municipality (such as a city) for a slip and fall accident is generally 2 years from the date of the incident. However, there is an important notice requirement that must be met:
Notice Requirement:
You must provide written notice of the claim to the municipality within 10 days of the accident. This notice should include details like the time, date, location, and nature of the injury.
Failing to meet this 10-day notice requirement could result in your claim being barred, although there may be exceptions if you can demonstrate a reasonable excuse for the delay, such as being incapacitated by your injuries.
According to the Canadian Institute of Health Information (CIHI), the average number of daily hospital admissions due to slip and fall accidents is about 417, with more than 1,800 cases arriving in the emergency department. But what causes slip and fall accidents?
When environmental conditions are unfavourable, accidents can easily happen. For example, when pathways have too much or little lighting, one can trip over debris and other obstacles. When a property’s sidewalks are icy, one can fall and end up with severe injuries. If you fall and get injured as a result of poor environmental conditions, the property owner, or the person or people responsible for maintaining the property, may be at fault.
When a building has damaged or poor surfaces, such hazards often lead to slip and fall injuries. Conditions such as uneven surfaces, loose or slippery rugs and floorboards, potholes on sidewalks and parking lots, oily floors, and recently waxed floors are dangerous and can cause accidents. If a private or public property owner fails to maintain conducive surfaces, the property becomes a risk to public safety, and they should be held accountable for any injuries that result from the poor surface conditions.
In some occupations, individuals work with items that can cause slip and fall accidents if proper precautions are not put in place, and the workers are not well-trained. Cooking oil, grease, packing boxes, cabled equipment, and other materials can easily trip you and cause severe injuries. If you’re injured at work due to unsafe working conditions, your employer should be held accountable, and they should cover your medical bills and lost wages.
A lot of slip and fall accidents happen as people descend or ascend stairs or steps. If the stairs are completely damaged, have improper handrails, loose rags, loose tiling, greasy surfaces, dim or non-functioning lighting, one can slip, fall, and suffer mild to severe injuries. Stairs are particularly dangerous as they are edged and inclined. Unsecured or weak ladders are also dangerous and can cause severe injuries if you fall from one.
Slip and fall accidents happen so suddenly, which makes injuries unpredictable. Although most people escape with minimal to no injuries, some slip and fall accidents can cause life-changing and serious injuries. Some of the most common slip and fall injuries include:
Falling on hard, edged surfaces or stationary objects can fracture or break your bones depending on the impact. The parts that commonly suffer broken bones or fractures are the legs, arms, hip, and pelvis. Broken bones can hinder your ability to work and may require physiotherapy to restore normal functionality.
Slip and fall accidents are a common cause of minor to traumatic head injuries. Although many people assume that they’re okay and avoid seeking medical assistance after minor head injuries, you should always get checked out to prevent the progression of minor concussions. If you suffer a moderate concussion from a slip and fall accident, you might experience headaches, dizziness, and clouded thinking. Traumatic brain injuries, such as seizures and cognitive impairment, can also result from slip and fall injuries.
Slip and fall accidents can lead to soft tissue injuries, including ligament tears and sprains. This happens when your joints get suddenly twisted during a slip and fall accident. Soft tissue injuries are mostly minor, but some may cause chronic pain immediately after an accident or later on. This is why it’s crucial to seek medical attention after a fall, because your minor injury may progress into something serious.
Cuts and abrasions are common injuries arising from slip and fall accidents. Victims may sustain minor bruises and wounds to the knees, head, elbows, palms, and other parts of the body that impact the ground when you fall. Cuts and bruises can be minor, and others may require stitches or other medical attention in order to heal properly.
Depending on the impact, a slip and fall accident can lead to a very serious injury that affects the spine. Associated injuries may vary from spine fractures to herniated disks, and depending on the severity, they may lead to temporary or permanent conditions, such as paralysis and sensory impairment.
NM Legal Services brings a focused and specialized approach to your legal needs. With a keen understanding of the intricacies surrounding your specific legal challenges, our team ensures that you receive advice and representation customized to your unique situation. Whether your concerns involve contracts, disputes, or other legal matters, our tailored expertise is designed to meet your specific needs.
At NM Legal Services, our philosophy centers on you. We prioritize a client-centered approach, acknowledging that legal matters can be complex and emotionally charged. Our team is committed to not only providing top-notch legal guidance but also offering empathetic support throughout the entire legal process. Your satisfaction and peace of mind are paramount to us.
NM Legal Services has established a solid reputation for excellence in the legal field. Our track record of successful outcomes across various cases underscores our commitment to delivering positive results for our clients. Whether it’s negotiating settlements, representing in litigation, or providing sound legal advice, our proven reputation speaks to our dedication to achieving the best possible results for those we serve.
Occupiers’ liability details when and how a property owner may be responsible for injuries suffered as a result of a slip and fall on their premises. The extent of occupiers’ liability varies depending on where the accident happened, i.e., commercial or residential property. According to Ontario law, particularly the Ontario Occupier’s Liability Act, property owners have a responsibility to provide a safe environment to prevent accidents, such as slip and fall accidents.
When public and private property owners fail to provide a safe environment and people get hurt on their premises, they may be held liable for any injuries incurred. Whether it’s gross carelessness, such as failure to repair loose flooring or torn carpeting, or seasonal negligence, such as failure to salt ice, in most circumstances, property owners should be held accountable for any resulting accidents. Numerous circumstances can lead to people becoming slip and fall victims – poor lighting, lack of warning signs, amongst others.
The Occupiers’ Liability Act in Ontario highlights the responsibilities and obligations for various persons, including:
When you file a claim against a property owner, it is your responsibility to prove that the property owner, or those who are in charge of caring for the property, have been negligent or careless in its maintenance. It is important that you collect as much information about your slip and fall accident, including photographs and notes about the surroundings and circumstances, and ensure that you contact experienced injury lawyers in Toronto to assist along the way.
If you get injured in a slip and fall accident, document (take pictures) the conditions of the scene before they get altered by the property owner, weather, or other parties. This will provide the evidence required to prove the property owner’s negligence at the time of the accident. We also recommend that you take pictures of the injuries if they are visible. If there are witnesses at the time of the accident, take their contact information. Their account of how the accident happened may play a vital role in proving liability.
If the city, municipalities, or private property owner alike are determined to be liable for your injuries, you may be entitled to receive compensation for pain and suffering, medical bills, lost income, and property damage. Contact NM Legal services immediately after a slip and fall accident for your free, no-obligation consultation, and we will help you recover compensation.
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