Springdale Slip and Fall Attorney

The most important thing to remember about a slip and fall accident is that the property owner could be held responsible for your injuries.

Slip and fall accidents can happen anywhere – your home, a person’s property, a store, a restaurant, an airport, a bus terminal, or work. The most important thing to remember about a slip and fall accident is that the property owner could be held responsible for your injuries. Although expensive medical care can come with a significant injury sustained from a fall, it is crucial to seek medical attention as soon as possible. After seeking medical attention, the next best step you can do for yourself, or a loved one is immediately contact a skilled Springdale slip and fall attorney at the Law Office of Jason M. Hatfield We have your back.

Slip and Fall Injuries

According to the CDC, more than 95 percent of hip fractures are caused by falling, usually sideways. In fact, the most common injury in a slip and fall accident is a broken or fractured hip bone. Fractures are the most serious consequence of falls and occur in 5 percent of all cases. Also, the CDC found that the death toll from falls in Arkansas in 2018 was 28. The NFSI discovered that falls accounted for over 8 million hospital emergency room visits nationwide. In addition to emergency room visits, over 800,000 patients are hospitalized every year due to a fall injury resulting in a head injury or hip fracture.

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Who Is at Risk for a Serious Springdale Slip and Fall Accident?

The extent of the injuries suffered in a Springdale slip and fall accident often depends on how severe the fall was and the person’s health. Older individuals can sustain more severe injuries. Statistically, Arkansas seniors aged 65 and older are at a substantial risk of sustaining serious injuries if they slip and fall. In fact, falls are the cause of 87 percent of bone fractures among adults ages 65 and older. The CDC found that three million elders are treated in emergency departments for fall injuries. Additionally, falls are the most common cause of traumatic brain injuries (TBI) across all demographics and the second leading cause of brain injury for those 65 and older.

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Injuries from Slips and Falls

A slip and fall is not just an inconvenient event. It can change someone’s life forever. One in five falls causes a severe injury such as broken bones or a head injury.

Typical injuries sustained in slip and fall accidents include:

Fractured Hips
Broken Bones (of the arms, legs, or hips)
Torn Ligaments/Tendons
Traumatic Brain Injury/Head Concussions
Dislocated Shoulders
Paralysis
Spinal Cord Damage/ Tailbone Damage

Soft Tissue Damage
Internal Organ Damage
Internal Bleeding
Thoracic Injuries
Dental Injuries

Any of these injuries can result in a trip to a local Arkansas hospital. However, serious complications, secondary infections, difficulty walking, improper healing, or re-hospitalization can occur.

Causes of Slip and Fall Accidents in Springdale

The Most Common Reasons for Falls to Occur Include:

Weather Conditions
Snowy/Icy Parking Lot
Poor Lighting
Unmarked Slip Hazards
Slippery Floors & Stairs
Torn or Ripped Entrance Mats
Uneven Walking Surfaces
Poorly Maintained Carpeting or Flooring
Faulty & Defective Handrails
Poor Plumbing

Contact our lawyers today if you or someone you know has fallen, received life-altering injuries, and has seen a medical professional for the injuries. We will help you through this tough time. Take the time to recover and let us handle your injury case.

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What to Do After a Slip and Fall Accident in Springdale, Arkansas

What Are the Deadlines for a Slip and Fall Accident Claim

Do not wait to file a Springdale slip and fall accident claim. Act quickly and decisively to get medical treatment and create a paper trail of your injuries. Starting from the date of your accident, you will have three years to file a claim. Partner with our skilled Springdale slip and fall attorneys today to start a claim. We help keep your records organized because they help prepare a solid case. Records can help determine your damages, such as medical costs and lost wages. As we prepare each case, we understand that not one case is the same. We take the time to analyze all documents and prepare them for the next steps. A personal injury case can go through discovery, mediation, or trial.

An Important Note About Comparative Negligence in Arkansas

Arkansas follows the doctrine of comparative negligence, where the plaintiff and the defendant may be assigned a portion of responsibility for an accident. Responsibility is typically designated as a percentage of the liability. It is important to note that if an injured party is found to have more than 50% responsibility in an accident, they will not be able to recover compensation. Even if you are found to be at fault, if it is under 50%, then you entitled to recover compensation. A plaintiff and defendant may collect damages after a slip and fall accident. However, if a plaintiff played a substantial role in causing the accident, the amount recovered may be reduced.

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FREE CONSULTATION

Where Springdale Slip and Fall Accidents Occur

There are no conditions that automatically qualify a worker for disability benefits. However, the SSA does review the following types of applications for SSDI:

Springdale slip and fall accidents can happen in various places, many of which we visit daily. For example, falls can occur in coffee shops, department stores, grocery stores, bus stations, bus stops, train stations, restaurants, airports, and other locations that invite the public to use their facilities. Poor flooring material or floor coverings often cause an individual to slip and fall.

Slip and falls can also happen at work for several reasons. In most cases, a person should file a personal injury lawsuit under the umbrella of premises liability law.

All listed business locations are called “premises.” If a person slips and falls on a premise, an experienced lawyer can apply the premises liability laws. In short, any public premise holds a legal responsibility to maintain safe conditions on their property, no matter the time of day or weather. Businesses in Springdale, Arkansas, by law, must do the following:

Inspect property regularly.
Fix identified hazards in a timely fashion.
Keep people visiting the property away from potential risks.

A property owner who does not do the above can be held financially liable for an individual’s injuries. Payments may result from an out-of-court settlement or an insurance payout.

How Property Owners Play a Role in a Slip and Fall

A property owner may engage in several examples of arguments to counter a Springdale slip and fall lawsuit. They include:

The dangerous condition should have been apparent.
The business blocked off the hazardous condition with signs and cones.
The plaintiff was not paying attention to where they were going.
The plaintiff was texting while walking.
The plaintiff was on the part of the property not open to visitors/customers.
The plaintiff ignored the warning signs and proceeded on their way.

If you believe that you were not cautious of your surroundings during your unexpected slip, your insurance settlement or court award may be reduced by a percentage amount in line with your negligence.

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Contact the Springdale Law Office of Jason M. Hatfield P.A.

Not sure if you have a case? Not sure what you need to do to file a Springdale slip and fall case? Reach out to the Law Office of Jason M. Hatfield by calling 479-361-3575. Our dedicated team of Springdale slip and fall attorneys is here to help. Call us today for a free initial consultation and determine what you can expect should you file a claim for compensation in a slip and fall case. We know you have questions, and we can answer them for you. The Law Office of Jason M. Hatfield is just one quick call away: 479-361-3575.

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Springdale Slip and Fall Attorney