Buffalo Grove Slip and Fall Attorney

People are injured every day by hazards that could have been remedied with a little bit of effort. The law is clear on this point. Property owners and managers must immediately remedy dangerous conditions or be held liable for injuries sustained by people who slip or fall because of the hazard.

Were you or a loved one injured by someone else’s negligence? Then, it could be worth exploring whether you have grounds for a personal injury claim.

The personal injury attorneys at Rosenfeld Injury Lawyers, LLC will help you understand your rights when pursuing compensation after suffering injuries in this type of accident.

Contact a Buffalo Grove slip and fall attorney at (888) 424-5757 (toll-free phone number) or use the contact form today for immediate legal advice and schedule a free consultation. All confidential or sensitive information you share with our legal team remains private through an attorney-client relationship.

National Slip and Fall Injury Statistics

According to the United States Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC), falls are the leading cause of accidental death. People over 65 are highly susceptible to falling, representing 70% of all deaths related to slips and falls yearly. Unfortunately, slip and fall accidents are quite common in this country.

Every year, thousands of adults and children suffer from preventable injuries from slip and fall accidents, with 18% of all severe injuries in the United States resulting from a fall on the same level. Therefore, we must recognize areas where hazards may exist to promote safety in our homes, offices, schools, and retail stores.

Illinois Slip and Fall Accident Statistics

According to the Illinois Department of Public Health (IDPH), approximately 94,000 people are treated in emergency rooms yearly for fall-related injuries. Unfortunately, these numbers may be even higher because it is also estimated that two-thirds of all slip-and-fall accidents go unreported at the accident site.

The most common types of injuries sustained by slips and falls in Illinois residents include:

• Broken Bones: This is the most common accident for people involved in slip and fall accidents, with more than one-third of all injuries sustained by victims being broken bones.
• Head and neck injuries are also prevalent and can cause life-long health problems and disabilities such as post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and chronic pain.
• Physical Injuries: Falling can lead to all types of possible physical injuries. If you fall into something wet or slippery, you may suffer an injury to your skin. On the other hand, if you fall onto sharp or hard objects, you may sustain severe internal injuries.
• Spinal cord injuries: Slipping and falling from a great height can cause severe spinal cord injuries. These injuries are of particular concern for children and the elderly, who could be at a greater risk of sustaining such an injury than others.
• Hip fractures: Many senior citizen residents in nursing homes suffer catastrophic injuries during slip and fall accidents, including hip fractures, which are often severe enough to leave the victim bedridden for months.

Slip and fall injuries can increase the risk of hip fracture in older adults by up to 100%, making it an injury that should be taken seriously.

The Cost of Slip and Falls From Negligent Conduct

The financial impact on people involved in slips and falls is staggering. According to the National Floor Safety Institute (NFSI), slips, trips, and falls account for 20% of all commercial liability claims.

The average cost for a trip or fall injury claim is $50,000, with medical expenses of $20,000 and a time loss of work price tag of $40,000. Were you injured in a slip-and-fall accident due to the negligence of another party?

If so, don’t hesitate to contact one of our Illinois slip and fall attorneys for a free legal consultation at (888) 424-5757.

Slip and Fall Accidents at Home

An average of 18 people per day suffer slip and fall injuries that require hospitalization after falling in their homes in Illinois. Nearly half of these falls result in head injuries which can be deadly if not properly treated.

The most common home falls happen inside the bathroom, where falls can occur from bathtubs or showers due to wet surfaces and loose rugs. In addition, homeowners over 50 have a one in 10 chance of suffering a slip and fall accident due to poor lighting in their homes.

According to a Johns Hopkins Center for Injury Research and Policy study, “slip and fall” injuries are the third most common cause of traumatic brain injuries.

Preventing slips and falls in your home could require removing any rugs or mats left out from previous use. In addition, all floors need to be cleaned regularly so they remain safe.

You can take several steps to prevent slip and fall accidents by making your home safer.

• Remove clutter – Clutter can quickly become a hazard, especially for those over 65. In the case of households with children under the age of 5, tripping or falling hazards can be introduced during playtime or cleanup time. Remove all loose items from walkways and staircases to prevent accidents from occurring.
• Repair uneven surfaces – If your floors have become uneven over time, you should get them fixed. Repairing floors is essential for those who spend a lot of time outdoors, such as homeowners and construction workers. In addition, uneven surfaces like decayed decks can cause serious falls that lead to broken bones or worse.

In addition, use non-slip mats on all floors of your home that may become wet. These include:

• Kitchen floor – Use a non-slip mat in front of the sink and stove to help prevent falls. Also, use a mat behind the toilet seat, as many people slip and fall after using the facilities.
• Bathroom – Place a non-slip mat outside the shower and bathtub to prevent falls. Also, place a mat on top of all wet surfaces (tiles and porcelain) in areas where bathroom cleaners and towels are stored.
• Utility room – Place mats in front of your water heater to help prevent anyone from slipping.
• Stairway – Use a non-slip mat on the top and bottom of all stairways to prevent falls from occurring. In addition, use a handrail for added safety.

Consider installing grab bars in your basement or bathroom, as they provide an excellent way to help you control your balance while standing up or sitting down. If you have any questions regarding insurance claims, contact us at (888) 424-5757.

Slip and Fall Accidents on Public Property

Slip and fall accidents on public property usually require the victim to prove that someone else was negligent before compensation for their injuries.

Any injury lawyer will be able to tell you that proving another party was negligent can involve facts and evidence such as:

• The location of the slip and fall
• The time of day
• The lighting at the time
• Whether there were any visible warning signs displayed
• Whether or not similar accidents have occurred in the past

Can you prove another party was responsible for your slip and fall injury? If so, you might be eligible to recover compensation for medical bills, pain, suffering, lost wages, etc. Contact our Cook County law office to speak with a Buffalo Grove slip and fall lawyer today.

Slip and Fall Injuries in Nursing Homes

According to the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS), slip and fall accidents in nursing facilities are the fifth most common type of injury resulting in hospitalization.

The likelihood that an older adult resident will suffer injuries from a slip and fall accident increases dramatically when treated for other conditions such as Alzheimer’s disease, Parkinson’s disease, or related issues.

Even so, many nursing home residents never receive adequate treatment after suffering severe injuries due to a slip and fall.

According to an online study published in the Journal of American Geriatrics Society, nearly one-third of nursing home residents hospitalized after slip and fall injuries never returned to their facility. The reason could be that many elderly individuals go directly into hospice care instead of returning to a nursing facility.

In addition, many older people fear further injury from slips and falls if they return to the same nursing home where they were initially injured, so they choose to go elsewhere instead. However, this can be very problematic because it can result in prolonged hospitalization and increase the cost of their care.

According to a study published in the Journal of Patient Safety, “slip-and-fall” injuries are the second most common type of accident in a hospital or healthcare facility after being hit by an object.

Slip and Fall Accidents in the Workplace

Some occupations place workers at significant risk of slipping and falling while on the job, including employment in the construction, retail, and restaurant industries. However, most slip-and-fall accidents in the workplace are the result of negligence.

Our trip and fall lawyers know that many employers take shortcuts with safety precautions, especially for ladders, scaffolds, and roof access.

Nearly every employee hurt on the job is entitled to receive workers’ compensation benefits to the Worker’s Compensation Benefit program. These payments are paid through the employer’s insurance company to cover medical costs and lost wages for all slip and fall accident-related injuries.

Unfortunately, workers’ compensation does not provide additional funds for non-economic damages, including pain, suffering, emotional stress, and mental anxiety.

However, our personal injury law firm can provide legal representation to hold employers and their insurance companies financially accountable in cases where the company’s negligence led to the accident.

Fatal Slip and Falls Leading to Wrongful Death

Many slip and fall accidents are fatal, especially for those in the construction industry working on high ladders and scaffolding and nursing home injury victims mistreated or neglected.

Families who lost a loved one in a slip-and-fall accident have the legal right to file a wrongful death lawsuit seeking compensation for their losses and damages. A qualifying family member might be a surviving spouse, child, grandchild, parent, grandparent, or sibling.

Like most personal injury cases, the plaintiffs (injured parties) can receive financial compensation to pay for:

• Hospitalization costs and medical expenses
• Lost earnings
• Future lost earnings caused by the fatal slip and fall accident-related injuries
• The decedent’s pain and suffering before they passed
• The family member’s pain and suffering from losing a loved one through negligence
• Funeral and burial expenses

If a family member died in a slip and fall accident due to negligence, do not hesitate to contact our personal injury law firm immediately.

As experienced Buffalo Grove, IL slip and fall lawyers serve Chicago, Cook County, Lake County, DuPage County, Kane County, and McHenry County.

Our wrongful death law firm knows that many companies employ workers who take shortcuts with safety precautions, especially regarding ladders, scaffolding, and roofs.

When an Insurance Company Makes Bad Faith Offers

A slip and fall incident is much like any other personal injury case, like a Buffalo Grove car accident where the responsible party’s insurance company will defend the claim made by the injured victim.

Usually, within days after filing a claim, the insurance company or their claims adjuster will offer to resolve the trip and fall case. However, the amount they offer is often significantly lower than the case’s actual value.

Within the first week after a slip and fall accident, the injured party has yet to determine the extent of their injuries, how long it will take to heal, and the costs involved. Without legal expertise, accident victims rarely understand their case’s worth or understand that they can negotiate a higher settlement amount.

Other times, the insurance company will make a bad faith offer, deny the claim, or delay payment. Fortunately, slip and fall lawyers working on behalf of the injured party are available to ensure that the responsible party is held liable so the victim can receive financial compensation to be made “whole again.”

With a lawyer’s expertise and competent negotiation skills, a personal injury claim involving severe injury or death can be resolved relatively quickly for an acceptable amount. Contact our personal injury firm today to discuss your case during a free consultation.

Hiring a Slip and Fall Law Firm to Resolve a Personal Injury or Wrongful Death Claim

Do you have a legal issue that requires immediate representation involving a slip and fall accident, medical malpractice, or another personal injury?

At Rosenfeld Injury Lawyers, LLC, our personal injury attorneys have a successful track record in assisting accident victims to ensure maximum compensation for their damages.

Our Buffalo Grove personal injury lawyers follow ethical standards and Illinois civil tort law to ensure our clients receive compensation for damages.

We work directly with the injured party, insurance company, and the defendant’s legal team, ensuring that our client’s trip and fall attorney access all available benefits, including workers’ compensation payments, insurance payments, and negotiated settlements.

Contact our Buffalo Grove, IL, law offices at (888) 424-5757 (toll-free phone number) or use the contact form today to schedule a free consultation. Slip and fall attorneys are standing by 24/7 to provide immediate legal advice.

Our personal injury/wrongful death law firm accepts all claims and lawsuits on a contingency fee basis. This promise ensures you pay nothing until your case is resolved through a negotiated settlement or jury award.

Our law firms’ current slip and fall cases are being negotiated throughout Illinois, including Cook County, Lake County, DuPage County, Arlington Heights, Buffalo Grove, and the Chicagoland area. Additionally, our law firm has successfully represented clients in many practice areas, including car accidents, medical malpractice, bicycle accidents, workers’ comp, defective medications, product liability, premises liability, and wrongful death.

Buffalo Grove Slip and Fall Lawyer Resources:

• NIH – Prevent Falls and Fractures
• NIH – State of science: occupational slips, trips, and falls on the same level