Slip and Fall Injuries from Ice and Snow

Falls on ice can lead to serious personal injuries because ice is hard and can be difficult to see. Ice can be on sidewalks, store parking lots, roads, and almost any surface outdoors if the temperatures are right. Injuries from these kinds of falls can lead to bone fractures, sprains or strains, and traumatic head injuries. Many of these injuries can be expensive to treat with long recovery times. However, you may not have to pay for the damages if you fell while on another person’s property. Be sure to talk to a Delaware slip and fall accident lawyer to see what your legal options are. 

TYPES OF FALL INJURIES

Falls can lead to different types of fall injuries depending on the person’s age, the type of fall, how the person fell, and the surface the person fell on. Around 800,000 people are hospitalized because of serious hip and head injuries from falls. Up to 95% of fall injuries involve hip fractures, which can lead to long recovery times and lost wages. Traumatic brain injuries (TBIs) are also common and can lead to serious impairments. 

Depending on how severe the TBI is, a person may experience problems with movement, sensation, thinking, concentration, and memory. Moderate to severe TBIs can lead to long term impairments that can last several months or years. If the TBI is severe enough, a person may have to live with lifelong impairments. 

Severe bone fractures can also lead to impairments in walking or using your hands. This can lead to lost wages and may impact a person’s ability to hold a physically demanding job. 

CAN I SUE FOR FALL INJURIES ON ICE?

Delaware operates under the comparative negligence rule. Under this rule, you and the other person are both considered partially responsible for the accident. The jury will determine the percentage of fault each person has for the slip and fall injuries. A percentage of fault over 50% means you will not receive compensation.

Another aspect you have to worry about is being judged on whether you took measures to decrease the financial impact of your injuries. Depending on this, you may receive less compensation. You will be expected to prove negligence. In the case of a fall injury on ice, you will need to prove that the property owner failed to warn you of ice on the area where you fell. To prove the damages you suffered, you will need a copy of your medical records and evidence of the financial losses from medical bills and lost wages.

Depending on the severity of your injuries and the duration of your recovery, you may also be able to sue for pain and suffering. 

SLIP AND FALL ACCIDENT LAWYER IN DELAWARE

Filing a personal injury lawsuit after suffering from a slip and fall accident can be complicated depending on where you fell. Some businesses and property owners may fight back with their own team of lawyers. Consider hiring a Delaware personal injury attorney if you suffered serious injuries and financial losses because of a property owner’s negligence. Contact Edelstein Martin & Nelson at (302) 295-5050 for a free consultation today. We are located in Wilmington, Delaware. Our goal is to help you earn the compensation you need to fully recover.