A ground-level fall in the movies or on TV can be hilarious. Comedians have made millions of dollars playing clumsy characters who take pratfalls and tumbles. Unfortunately, there is nothing funny about taking a fall. In fact, in certain circumstances, a fall can lead to devastating injuries, including a traumatic brain injury.
Brain injuries are life-changing events. Since the brain controls the rest of the body, a blow to the head can mean disabilities, changes in personality and even death. If you or a loved one has suffered a brain injury from a fall that resulted from someone else’s negligence, you may be searching for ways to overcome the unfairness of the situation.
When is it unsafe?
When you enter a building or a property, the owner of the property is responsible for making your visit as safe as possible. Often this is a simple matter of dealing with slipping or tripping hazards or repairing conditions that may create a risk. If a property owner knows of a hazard or creates the risk but does nothing to correct it, he or she may be liable for the cost and consequences of any injuries you suffer in a fall. Common hazards include these:
- It is raining or snowing, and visitors have tracked wetness onto the floor.
- Someone has mopped or waxed but failed to post signs warning visitors the floors may be slippery.
- The owner has stretched power cords or other items across the path where you are walking.
- There are loose sections of a carpet or mat that the owner has not repaired or replaced.
- The owner has allowed debris to clutter a pathway, presenting a tripping hazard.
- You are walking near a stairway where the lighting is poor.
- The flooring is loose or uneven.
Slipping can cause you to fall backward, resulting in a blow to the back of your head. Tripping may cause you to strike the front of your head as you fall forward. During any kind of fall, especially if you trip on the stairs, you risk striking your head against other objects. This can have devastating consequences.
Suffering from a brain injury after a fall means you will have many struggles and burdens to bear. One of them should not be finding a way to pay for your medical bills and other expenses. A skilled New Jersey attorney can assist you in seeking compensation for your injuries and finding ways to maximize your claim.
