Knowing the risks and then what to do if someone you love does fall can help stop a bad situation from getting worse.
What Are Some Slip And Fall Dangers For The Elderly?
When an older adult is out and about around town, conditions on someone else’s or a businesses’ property may pose risks.
While getting around, a wet floor, narrow staircase, changes in flooring, poor lighting, torn carpeting, or other dangerous conditions can cause a fall. If this accident happens on someone else’s property or a business, you may be entitled to financial compensation for the injuries.
How Do I Know Who Is Responsible For My Elderly Loved One’s Slip And Fall?
If your loved one slips and falls on someone else’s property, three key things will need to be proved for any monetary damages to be rewarded in your case:
- That the property owner knew about the dangerous condition and did not attempt to fix it;
- The property owner should have known about the hazardous condition and should have taken steps to prevent injuries, as a “reasonable person” would have done;
- That the property owner created the dangerous situation which led to the accident.
Other factors can affect who is held responsible in a case, such as how long had the dangerous condition existed and did the owner have time to be knowledgeable about the situation and fix it.
Any defense attorney will also try to prove the victim acted carelessly in his or her actions, thereby contributing to the accident.
What Should I Do If My Elderly Loved One Slips And Falls?
If your loved one slips and falls, first and foremost, help them receive the medical attention they need.
Next, call Hyland, Padilla, & Fowler’s offices right away for a free evaluation. North Carolina imposes a three-year statute of limitations on slip and fall cases, so the sooner we get started, the higher likelihood a judge will hear your lawsuit, and you could win damages to pay for medical bills, extra help for your loved one, and any lost income.
In cases involving the elderly, defense lawyers often use any past medical history to try and prove that the accident didn’t cause any additional medical distress. Having an experienced slip-and-fall lawyer on your side can help you protect your elderly loved one’s best interests.