Spinal Cord Injury Caused by a Traumatic Fall

According to the National Spinal Cord Injury Database, roughly 27% of all spinal cord injuries are caused by falls. Unlike other causes of SCI, a fall is not something that can be expected or protected against. You can avoid playing rough sports or working in a dangerous industry. However, you cannot avoid walking, even just a few short steps.

Slip and fall injuries are unique in that they are commonly the fault of hazardous conditions on somebody else's property.

Slip and Fall Injury Causes

Depending on the angle of the fall, you can damage your spinal cord severely, even if the fall is only a short distance. Injuries can range from bruises to ruptured discs and even paralysis. Common causes of slip and fall injuries include:

• Falling Down Stairs
• Slippery Floors
• Icy Sidewalk
• Poor Lightening
• Damaged Carpets/Tile
• Broken Sidewalks

An injury as simple as a slipped disc can cause the injured party thousands of dollars in debt, which includes surgery, rehabilitation, pricy prescriptions, other annual medical treatments, and wages lost. These injuries can have a serious impact for the accident victim and their dependents.

Determining Responsibility

The property owners and insurance companies involved have a vested interest in avoiding fault. They do not want to be held accountable for injury to others. This can potentially cause thousands and thousands of dollars, not to mention negative publicity.

The following questions can help you determine who is at fault and if you have recourse.

• Was the injury due to a hazardous condition?
• Did the property owner create this condition?
• Did he or she take steps to remedy it?
• How long was the property owner aware of the hazard?
• Was there anything you could have done to avoid or anticipate the hazard?

Properties that are open to the public have certain safety standards they must meet. Failure to do so often creates hazards and dangerous environments for visitors. An accident created on a commercial or public property under these conditions has a greater likelihood of winning in court.

Additionally, many public businesses maintain property insurance. This coverage anticipates and provides a layer of security for business owners. When an insurance company is involved, the case is generally out of court for a sum of money.

If you have suffered a spinal cord injury in an accident created by another party's negligence, it is important to find and maintain the services of a reputable lawyer. This should be your second step after pursing medical care.

Take Careful Documentation

A spinal cord injury can be especially debilitating. However, if possible, take pictures and carefully document what was happening at the time of accident. If you are not physically able to do this, recruit a family member or loved one to assist you. While not mandatory on your part, immediate documentation of the accident can strengthen your case in court.

Legal Options

Depending on the state you live in, there are specific time constraints to filing a lawsuit. More importantly, the more time you wait, the more time that the other side has to build a case against you.

The lawyers at the Ammons Law Firm have years of experience helping people receive the settlements that they deserve. Throughout the years, they have built a strong network of national resources, including expert witnesses, private investigators, and specialized physicians. All clients receive the benefit of such strong resources as the Ammons Law Firm aggressively pursues their case.

Call (866) 523-1606. Time plays a critical role in your case. Our knowledgeable lawyers will provide you with all of the information you need to make an informed decision. You do not deserve to suffer the consequences of a business's neglect.