Vancouver Slip and Fall Lawyer

When you are injured on another’s property, you may not know how to handle the situation. Some may think it was their fault for not paying attention, but it may be because the owner didn’t keep their property safe. Your injuries may incur medical expenses and cause you to miss work. You shouldn’t bear sole financial responsibility for an accident that was caused by someone else’s negligence.

Wishart Brain & Spine Law represents falling accident victims to fight to get them the compensation they need. A Vancouver slip and fall accident lawyer from Wishart will work on your case to determine the cause of the injury, who is liable, and the estimated cost of your injuries and expenses. You can rest assured that your rights will be protected, and your lawyer will fight to win you a favorable settlement.

What Causes Slip and Fall Accidents in Vancouver?

Falling accidents occur because of hazardous and damaged conditions. Without proper upkeep, attention to detail, or solving maintenance issues in a reasonable amount of time, properties can become danger zones to the people who go there. Going out for a simple errand or a regular visit could result in terrible injuries.

The following hazardous conditions can cause falls:

Spills. People can get hurt from spilled liquid, leaks, or an unmarked freshly-mopped floor.
Snow/Ice. Winter weather needs extra attention like salt and shoveled walkways. Delayed responses to winter conditions mean people could slip and hurt themselves.
Worn Carpets. Old carpets can have holes or loose threads that can make people trip and fall.
Unstable Stairs and Railings. Stairs that aren’t structurally sound or loose railings could cause a person to fall and severely injure themselves.
Potholes. Sidewalks and parking lots need even surfaces so no one hurts themselves. Major potholes can even damage motor vehicles.
Debris or Clutter. Walkways need a clear path so people can get where they need to go. Piles of clutter or loose wires could cause an initial trip and the person could fall into the remaining debris.
Inadequate Lighting. People can’t see where they’re going in a poorly lit area and could easily fall and injure themselves

After a fall accident, you should take care of your injuries first. But if possible, you may be able to help your claim from the start. Photographs of the scene could capture what caused your accident and will show that something was amiss. If possible, report the incident to the person in charge of the building. This could be a vital step in helping your claim.

When you make a report, you get a written record of what happened and others are aware that an accident occurred. Additional evidence can come from eyewitnesses who saw you fall. They can corroborate your story or also provide crucial details that prove that you were a victim of negligence. If possible, get their contact information so your lawyer can get their stories later.

Common Slip and Fall Injuries

Fall injuries can range from mild to severe. Some may prevent you from working and some could have permanent consequences that require complete lifestyle or job changes.

Brain Injury. Any time the head or brain suffers an impact, it needs to be checked and treated. A hard hit could cause the brain to swell. Traumatic brain injuries could come with long-term damage that impairs cognitive functions.
Spinal Cord Injury. Injuring the spinal cord can affect one’s ability to walk and feel below the injury site. Paralysis or limited movement can be a permanent change when the spine is injured.
Broken Bones and Sprains. Many people try to break their fall with their hands when they slip. This can lead to broken or sprained arms and wrists. Falling from heights can also damage legs and feet.
Cuts, Bruises, and Lacerations. Falls can injure the skin through scrapes and bruises which need to be cleaned and properly bandaged to prevent infection.

Where Do Falling Accidents Occur?

You may be wondering where these accidents typically happen. Unfortunately, any property becomes a danger with a negligent owner; however, there are common places where a fall may occur.

Places of business are often areas where a fall happens. For example, restaurants can be a dangerous place for falling accidents. Spilled drinks are a common occurrence at restaurants. Establishments need to make sure the walkways are safe for people and also place warning signs when the floor is still slippery.

When you’re in a store, whether it’s a clothing store or grocery store, there should be a manager who is in charge of making sure that the floors are clear of spills or other hazards. If there is one, they need to see to it that it’s cleaned up promptly.

In addition to keeping spills cleaned up, hotels also need to be aware of carpets and staircases. Whoever is in charge needs to put up signs or block off certain areas to warn people staying there about the dangerous areas.

You may not think it, but the workplace can have hazards as well. Those that work with tools or equipment are supposed to receive proper training to prevent accidents. When this crucial step is skipped, lives can be at stake.

But falls can happen in residential areas, too. A homeowner still needs to make sure that their property is safe for guests and visitors. When homeowners are doing construction or other projects, areas of the house and yard could be unsafe. There could be loose flooring, holes in the yard, construction areas with tools, or other forms of clutter that block pathways. Someone who is unaware of these dangers could easily fall and hurt themselves.

Another residential area you may not have thought about is a retirement home. Falls can be fatal to senior citizens, a main concern being a hip fracture and then getting an infection. Retirement homes should have protocols in place that keep their residents safe, such as a fall risk analysis so the staff knows which residents will need help walking. They should also make sure there are clear pathways so residents can move safely around the home. A retirement home that neglects their residents may have a higher chance of resident falling accidents.

Get Help from Wishart Brain & Spine Law

If you’ve been injured by a fall on someone else’s property, you may be eligible for compensation if it’s discovered that the landowner, often referred to as the “occupier”, didn’t follow the correct standards of care when caring for the property.

The following factors are some of the criteria used to determine whether or not the appropriate standards of care were followed:

Whether the danger was foreseeable.
Whether the occupier’s conduct was in accordance with acceptable standards of practice.
Whether there was an adequate system of inspection (considering the risks involved) in place and if that system was carried out.
Whether the danger was allowed to exist for an unreasonable amount of time.
The ease with which the danger could have been prevented.

A Vancouver slip and fall accident lawyer from Wishart Brain & Spine Law will investigate your case and make sure your rights are upheld. We know what it takes to get our clients successful results. We will listen to your account of what happened and then begin to gather evidence. This could mean returning to where you fell in case there’s any evidence there that could support your story. We’ll photograph or document any pressing information that we discover. Another item that will help your case is a copy of your medical records. From there, we can see how the fall injured you and how it’s affected you. This could range from the pain and suffering you’ve experienced to proving that the fall caused your injuries.

Then, your lawyers will evaluate what the accident has cost you. We’ll take lost wages and your medical bills into consideration, along with non-economic losses as well. Once we do that calculation, we will then fight for that settlement amount. We will be at your side every step of the way to answer questions, address concerns, and keep you up-to-date on the standing of your case.

You deserve to have your voice be heard. Get in touch with us today for a free consultation. You can have peace of mind that professionals are looking out for your best interests.