The Difference Between Slip & Fall and Trip & Fall
Statistics from the Injury Facts of the National Safety Council indicate that there were over 6.8 million nonfatal fall-related injuries in the United States in 2020. Fall-related accidents – including "slipping" and "tripping" – are among the leading causes of unintentional injuries and emergency room visits in Texas and across the country.
When you're involved in a fall-related accident on someone else's property, you must identify the type of fall, the resulting injuries, as well as what caused the fall. Knowing these will help determine how your lawyer will handle your injury claims. An experienced Texas personal injury attorney can inform you about the differences between "slip and falls" and "trip and falls."
At The Fostel Law Firm, I have the resources, knowledge, and experience to guide, assist, and represent victims of fall-related accidents in their injury claims. As your legal counsel, I can attempt to evaluate the surrounding facts of your injuries, explore your options to recover damages, and determine the best way to proceed with your premises liability claims. The Fostel Law Firm is a nationwide practice and is willing to review cases from any state for no charge. My office locations include Houston and Georgetown, Texas.
Slip & Fall
A slip and fall accident occurs when a person slips due to a slippery or wet substance on the floor. In a slip and fall accident, the victim loses friction with the surface (floor), thereby causing the foot to slip forward or upward. Slip & fall accidents may be caused by water, ice, oil spills, loose mats, or a recently waxed or mopped floor. A person who slips usually falls backward.
Examples of Slip & Fall Accidents
The following may result in a slip and fall accident:
Leaking water from refrigerators or coolers
Failure to install warning signs of a slippery floor
Failure to clean oil spills on the floor
Poor choice of flooring materials
Leaving debris or other substances on the floor
Failure to install an adequate lighting system
An experienced slip and fall attorney can review every aspect of your case and determine whether you have a slip and fall accident claim.
Trip & Fall
A trip and fall accident occurs when your foot strikes or collides with a fixed object, obstacle, or uneven surface, which causes you to lose balance and fall. A person who trips often falls outward or forward.
Examples of Trip & Fall Accidents
The following may result in a trip and fall accident:
Your foot getting caught under an item left on the floor.
Stepping over a fixed object
Uneven floor surfaces that lead to falls
Your foot getting caught under a torn carpet
A skilled premises liability attorney can evaluate the surrounding facts of your case and help file your trip and fall accident claim.
Fall-Related Injuries
Furthermore, slip and falls and trip and falls often cause different types of injuries. These include:
Slip & Fall Injuries
Head injuries
Neck injuries
Fractures
Traumatic brain injuries
Hip injuries
Tailbone fractures
Spinal cord injuries
Sprained ankles
Trip & Fall Injuries
Facial injuries
Bruises on the face, knees, shins, and hands
Elbow injuries
Broken teeth
Hand or arm fractures
Knee injuries
Foot injuries
A skilled attorney can determine the full extent of your injuries, estimate case value, and help pursue the maximum possible compensation.
What to Do After a Fall Accident
The moments after slipping, tripping, or falling can be confusing to sort through. However, what you do – or do not do – can affect the outcome of your premises liability claims. When involved in a fall-related accident, here's what you should do next, where possible:
Stay calm.
Seek immediate medical help for your injuries.
Report the incident to the property owner, land owner, or a business owner.
Collect the names, addresses, phone numbers, and emails of the property owner, store manager, and all witnesses.
Take and document pictures of any wet floor, obstacles, broken stairs, or other site conditions which caused your accident.
Document witness statements and testimonies and your own personal account of the slip and fall or trip and fall accident.
Limit your interaction or communication with the property owner, store manager, or business owner. You are within your rights to decline to give any statement.
Inform your insurance carrier about the fall accident as soon as you can.
Retain a skilled lawyer immediately to help file your insurance claim and negotiate a fair settlement with the insurer.
When hurt in a fall accident on another person's property, you need to act quickly and hire a knowledgeable Texas premises liability lawyer to advocate for your best interests and help seek your rightful financial compensation.
How a Personal Injury Attorney Can Help
Being involved in a fall-related accident on someone else's property can be an overwhelming experience. Regardless of the severity of your injuries, identifying the type of fall will help determine the best way to approach your case and the information you need to prove liability. An experienced personal injury attorney can explore your available legal options and help pursue fair financial compensation for your injuries.
At The Fostel Law Firm, I'm ready and poised to support and represent clients in their fall-related accident cases. My in-depth understanding of the laws addressing liability in premises liability cases involving falls can help guide you through the overly-complex claims process. Whether you are seeking damages for your slip-and-fall or trip-and-fall injuries, I can attempt to protect your best interests, help hold the negligent property owner liable, and seek the financial justice you deserve.
If you or a loved one was hurt in a slip-and-fall or trip-and-fall accident, contact my firm – The Fostel Law Firm – today to schedule a simple case assessment. I have the personalized advice and dependable representation you need in your premises liability claims. My firm proudly serves clients in Houston, Texas, the Southeast New Mexico area, and the entire United States.