Slipping or tripping can happen anywhere and to anyone, and the resulting injuries can be devastating. However, many slip, trip, and fall injuries in Omaha occur due to the negligence of the party responsible for the premises. When such injuries happen, Nebraska grants the injured individual the right to claim compensation for medical costs, missed income, and other losses related to the accident.
While the two terms are often used interchangeably, it is worth asking, “Is there a difference between slip-and-fall and trip-and-fall accidents?” Here is what you need to know about the differences between these two types of premises liability cases.
What Are Slip and Fall Accidents?
What is the difference between slip, trip and fall? Slip and fall accidents result when someone loses their footing due to a slippery or wet surface, causing them to fall and potentially sustain injuries. These slip and fall cases often happen on surfaces such as wet floors, icy sidewalks, or floors with spilled liquids. Property owners must safely maintain their premises and promptly address any hazards that could lead to slip and fall injuries.
What Are Trip and Fall Accidents?
Trip and fall accidents happen when an individual trips over an object or uneven surface, resulting in a fall and possible injuries. Torn carpets, uneven flooring, poorly lit areas, objects left in walkways, or other hazards can cause these accidents. As with slip and fall accidents, property owners are responsible for maintaining safe premises and fixing or warning about potential tripping hazards.
What Are Common Causes of Slips, Trips, and Falls?
What are the 3 main control measures for slips trips and falls? Don’t know what are 4 common causes of slips trips and falls? For example, slip, trip, and fall accidents can result from common injuries such as:
- Wet or slippery surfaces due to spills, leaks, or poor drainage
- Icy sidewalks or parking lots
- Uneven or damaged flooring, such as torn carpets or loose tiles
- Cluttered or obstructed walkways
- Electrical cords improperly strewn across walkways
- Poor lighting that makes it difficult to see potential hazards
- Lack of handrails on stairs or ramps
- Potholes or cracks in sidewalks or parking lots
Property owners must take reasonable steps to address these hazards and ensure the safety of visitors and patrons.
Compensation Available in Slip, Trip, and Fall Claims
If you have been injured in a slip, trip, or fall accident due to another party’s negligence, you may be entitled to compensation for your losses. Depending on the circumstances of your slip and fall lawsuit, you may be able to recover compensation for:
- Medical expenses, including hospital bills, medication, and physical therapy
- Lost wages if you are unable to work due to your injuries
- Pain and suffering
- Emotional distress
- Loss of enjoyment of life
- Permanent disability or disfigurement
If you have a slip and fall accident occurring on someone else’s property, there can be head injuries, broken bones, and traumatic brain injury that you can’t see. The specific compensation available in your case will depend on factors such as the nature of your injuries, the extent of your economic losses, and the strength of your evidence against the at-fault party. Your insurance company can offer low-ball settlement offers for your slip and fall claims and lower the compensation based on these factors.
Statute of Limitations for Premises Liability Accidents in Nebraska
If you wish to file a lawsuit against a negligent property owner due to injuries you have sustained on their premises, Nebraska law requires you to initiate legal action within four years of the accident date. If you miss this crucial statutory deadline, the court may bar you from recovering the compensation you deserve. An experienced personal injury attorney can help you complete all filings punctually.
In addition to helping you file your claim within this legal time constraint, consulting a personal injury attorney as early as possible has other benefits. For example, the sooner you speak to a lawyer, the sooner they can conduct a thorough investigation of the accident and its causes. This will allow them to obtain evidence before it disappears and interview eyewitnesses before they move to a different location or their memories fade. It will also make it harder if you are planning to begin a trip and fall settlement.
Contact an Experienced Nebraska Personal Injury Attorney
If you tripped and fell, what should you do next? Whether your fall resulted from a trip or a slip, your resulting slip or trip injuries can have a long-lasting impact on your life. If another party was responsible for the accident, you should not have to shoulder the financial burden of your medical expenses and lost income. Furthermore, you deserve an opportunity to hold the at-fault party accountable for their negligence with our slip and fall lawyers.
The experienced Omaha premises liability attorneys of Mueller Schmidt Mulholland & Cooling understand how challenging the aftermath of a slip- or trip-and-fall injury can be. Our legal team has nearly 60 years of combined experience securing favorable trip or fall compensation results for Nebraskans. Our slip and fall attorneys are ready to put our skills and knowledge to work for you on your trip and fall lawsuit. Call our firm today at 402-999-9000 or contact us online for a free consultation. Learn more about how we can help with your slip and trip claims.
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