3 Examples of Hazards that Can Cause Serious Slip and Falls

Slip and fall accidents are quite common and injure millions of people each year. These accidents occur regularly and can happen in virtually any setting, often through fault of the victim.

Fortunately, if you have been injured in a slip and fall accident that occurred on someone else’s property, you may be entitled to recover financial compensation. Your recovery can include compensation for sizeable medical expenses and costs, lost income, pain and suffering, and loss of quality of life, among other losses. In order to do so, however, you will need to be able to show that your accident was caused by a hazard that was the result of someone else’s negligence.

Some hazards that cause serious injuries include:

Improper Training

Workplace slip and fall accidents are quite prevalent. Many times, the cause of the accident can be attributed to improper training. Employees in high-risk industries should undergo extensive training prior to using and properly maintaining necessary equipment. Most importantly, employees should receive sufficient training to stay safe while at work.

Weather

We cannot control the weather. Unfortunately, weather can result in dangerous conditions. Although most hazard-causing weather  conditions occur during the winter months, individuals may remain at risk of slip and fall injuries throughout the year. Property owners have a legal responsibility to ensure that traffic areas are clear and free of hazards. Failing to use reasonable result in liability as well as substantial compensation for victims.

Wet or Uneven Surfaces

Slip and fall accidents are most often the result of a wet or uneven surface. In fact, wet or uneven surfaces cause approximately 55% of slip and fall accidents in the United States. Wet or uneven surfaces can even make walking hazardous. The following are examples of situations which are in particularly hazardous:

• Recently waxed or mopped floors
• Puddles
• Loose floorboards or mats
• Defective sidewalks
• Cluttered floors
• Parking lot potholes
• Torn carpeting

Walkways should remain dry, uncluttered, and safe. Property owners should engage in regular housekeeping in an effort to keep walking surfaces both as safe and as clear as possible. Corrections should be made upon discovering hazards.

CALL AN ORLANDO PERSONAL INJURY ATTORNEY TODAY

You may be entitled to compensation for injuries you suffer during a slip and fall accident. The skilled attorneys at the Thomas Nicholl Law Firm can review your case and both develop and implement an effective legal strategy to maximize your recovery of damages. Schedule your consultation today by calling 407-228-2131.

4 Common Injuries in Slip and Fall Accidents

Slip and fall accidents send nearly nine million people to the emergency room each year, according to the National Safety Council (NSC). In many slip and fall cases, individuals injure themselves during a fall caused by a hazard. Although many slip and fall cases tend to occur on a business’ premises, many also occur while on private property.

Property owners may be held liable for a party’s injuries resulting from a slip and fall accident. An injured party may have a legal right to sue the property owner if both the slip and fall and the resulting injury occur as a result of the property owner’s negligence. In order to prevail in a slip and fall case, a victim must prove, in addition to negligence on behalf of the property owner, that the negligence would foreseeably create the danger.

Slip and fall accidents can cause injuries to all areas of the victim’s body. In more serious slip and fall cases, the injuries that victims sustain require emergency medical attention and could even lead to long-term disabilities. As a result, it is extremely important for slip and fall victims to protect their rights by retaining an attorney as soon as possible after their accident has occurred.

Some examples of common injuries caused by slip and fall include:

Spinal Injuries

Injuries to the spine, even minor injuries, can be painful and debilitating. Severe spinal injuries can result in serious injuries including partial or full paralysis. Even minor injuries may have lasting limb weakness as well as a loss of sensation.

Hip Injuries

Hip injuries are problematic. Serious hip injuries can require surgery or  replacement. Some injuries can cause victims to lose sensation in their extremities. The elderly are particularly susceptible to serious hip injuries as a result of their age, and this can also lead to financial complications.

Brain Injuries

The impact from a slip and fall accident can result in brain injuries. A blow to the head can cause a serious brain injury such as traumatic brain injury (TBI). TBI can negatively impact a victim’s cognitive abilities and motor skills, and cause lasting complications for victims.

Breaks and Sprains

Some slip and fall injuries are less serious and can cause victims a minor but temporary inconvenience. Broken bones and sprains often heal with time, but they may also cause discomfort throughout recovery.

CALL AN ORLANDO PERSONAL INJURY ATTORNEY TODAY

You may be entitled to compensation for injuries you suffer during a slip and fall accident. The skilled attorneys at the Thomas Nicholl Law Firm can review your case and both develop and implement an effective legal strategy to maximize your recovery of damages. Schedule your consultation today by calling 407-228-2131.

Do You Need an Orlando Slip and Fall Lawyer after an Accident?

Slip and fall accidents can result in surprisingly serious injuries, such as broken bones, concussions, dislocations, and even spinal cord injuries. If your case was caused by the negligence of another person, you may be entitled to recover compensation for your losses. While it may seem like the easiest course of action to simply accept the first settlement offer you receive, slip and fall victims should always speak to an attorney after they are hurt. There are many ways in which an attorney can help you protect your rights after a slip and fall accident, some of which are discussed below.

A Lawyer Will Investigate Your Slip and Fall Case

While many slip and fall cases are uncontested, some require the victim to establish negligence on the part of the property owner or tenant responsible for the property. In these cases, it may be necessary to gather evidence in support of your case, which could take the form of things like surveillance footage, maintenance records, eyewitness reports, or expert consultants.

Your Attorney Will Communicate with the Insurance Company

Most slip and fall cases are resolved through reaching a settlement agreement with the at-fault party’s insurance company. It is critical to understand that insurance companies are in the business of collecting premiums and turning profits and will do everything possible to minimize their payouts when they can. As a result, insurance company representatives often engage in tactics designed to frustrate and wear down victims so that they will settle for less. In some cases, they may even try and get you to admit liability for your accident. When you retain an attorney, he or she will handle all communication with the insurance company on your behalf.

A Lawyer May File a Lawsuit

As mentioned above, most cases are resolved through the settlement process. A key component to getting an adequate settlement offer, however, is the threat of litigation. While it is completely legal to represent yourself in a slip and fall case, it is important to remember that as a non-lawyer you will be at a significant disadvantage against an experienced team of insurance defense attorneys. When you retain an attorney after a slip and fall accident, it signifies to the other party that you are serious about your claim and that you will take the matter to court if necessary.

Call an Orlando Slip and Fall Attorney Today for a Free Case Evaluation

If you have been hurt in a slip and fall accident, you may be entitled to compensation under Florida law.

Orlando personal injury attorney Thomas Nicholl will review your case at no charge and let you know whether you have a claim to pursue. Additionally, Mr. Nicholl will not collect any legal fees from you unless he brings your case to a successful resolution. To schedule your consultation, call our office today at 407-228-2131 or contact us online.

For centuries, animals have been treated as nothing but property, until today. Animals have domesticated themselves right into our hearts and homes. However, I bet if you took a shower today, you would never know that the products you used were tested first for safety by animals. According to the Humane Society of the United States, “hundreds of thousands of mice, rats, and rabbits undergo testing each year to determine the safety of products like lipstick, shampoo, and mascara.”

An article by Kari Paul, “How Fake Skin Will End Animal Testing,” says cosmetics have routinely been tested by rubbing the product onto shaved skin of animal subjects, which were likely killed shortly after the test. U.S. law does not require animal testing for cosmetics, but it does not prohibit it either.

The one thing the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetics (FDC) Act does state is that products must be safe before they go on the market. Ironically, this law was passed in the early 40’s, due to the tragedies that occurred after some products that tested well on animals caused many to go blind, or even caused death in humans. Almost everyone is familiar with the Thalidomide disaster which was extensively tested on rabbits, and released as safe, only to cause multiple and severe deformities and missing limbs. The reason for these deaths and mutations, and the surrounding controversy, is simply because the animals being tested on do not react the same way human beings would, according to Health Research Funding.

The Animal Welfare Act was implemented in the late 60’s to protect certain animals from cruel treatment during testing, however, that act does not cover the 90% of animals actually tested on, including rats, guinea pigs, and mice.

One of the biggest reasons for the support of animal testing is that the treatments developed such as penicillin and insulin have helped saved many lives. Yet, one of the biggest problems with animal testing is that it has gone on for years, which some believe, is way too long. On the bright side, the number is growing in the amount of companies steering clear of animal testing for cosmetics, and embracing alternative methods. The cruelty-free certification program, Leaping Bunny, has certified over 600 companies across the world for being animal-free in their product testing according to the Humane Society.

One of the alternative methods to animal testing has just recently been developed in the form of “3D bioprinting Episkin” according to Kari Paul. The Episkin is comprised of tissue donated by plastic surgery patients and grown into an artificial skin using a “collagen matrix” says Paul. The Episkin is a model of reconstructed skin used to test products on since it is nearly identical to actual skin.

L’Oreal is one of the biggest companies testing products on Episkin and no longer using animal subjects. Less than two years ago, L’Oreal announced it would “completely eliminate the testing of its products on animals.” That same year, the European Union announced a complete ban on all animal testing for products sold in the EU according to the article. America is finally catching up with the EU by announcing the Humane Cosmetics Act- a bill recently introduced to the House of Representatives. The bill is supported by countless celebrities and over 140 cosmetic companies. It is designed to eliminate animal testing of products, and the sale of animal-tested products in the United States.

Lately, the Florida Black Bear has been rather frequent in the news and it is time to get some facts straight about the animal. For over twenty years the black bear hunt has been made illegal to allow for the endangered animal to rejuvenate. In the past few years, however, more and more complaints have been coming in about black bear nuisances in residential neighborhoods. In 2005, the number of complaints was just under 2,000, and just last year that number rose to over 6,000 according to the Tampa Bay Times. This increase is due in large part because the population growth of humans, causing the growth of more developments which, in turn, takes away from the bears’ habitat.

The Black bear is a smart bear, according to Florida Fish and Wildlife; so smart in fact, they are lazy by choice. Black bears eat over 5,000 calories of food a day, which means most of their day is spent hunting and foraging in the woods. A black bear can smell food over a mile away, and because they quickly learned to associate people with food, they have become more attracted to the garbage we throw out. This makes the bear lazy because while they could choose to forage the woods for fruits and berries all day, they would rather intake their 5,000-calorie meals in one sitting. Garbage has become the biggest bear attractant in the state of Florida and it is the main reason bear encounters with humans have become more “aggressive.” In the past ten years there has only been 4 attacks on humans in Florida, and in each of those attacks someone had left trashcans out unsecured which attracted the bears’ attention.

Bears are predominately non-aggressive, and in most encounters with humans the bears was either defending themselves, their cubs, or their food source. The Florida Fish and Wildlife have a few suggestions for people if they want to be “bear smart” and the list includes: building a shed around your garbage cans, putting up an electric fence around livestock or beeyards, and never feeding the wild bear. The most helpful thing you can do is put your trashcans out the morning of pickup instead of the night before. If you do come in contact with a bear, it is best not to run because that will trigger the bears’ instinct to chase, instead, you should make sure the bear has a clear exit, and then scare it by yelling in an assertive voice, honking your horn, or banging pots and pans according to the FF&W. It is also a common myth to play dead, because after all, bears eat dead animals.

While it may have been the law in Florida that it is illegal to shoot a black bear, unless to protect human life, the new controversy regarding hunting has some people in a frenzy. The bear hunt is said to control the bear population; yet, there is no proof that it will do just that. The hunt is scheduled for a week in October where anywhere from 100 to 5,000 people may show up to participate. A Tampa Bay Times contributor says there is no way to control the bear population with this hunt unless it is opened up to subdivisions “where the bear problem is.” There is also no way of knowing how many bears will be killed, and if that will affect the number of bears running from the woods and into more subdivisions.

As 4^th of July approaches, many Florida residents will take to the water to celebrate and this means more boating related injuries. Florida leads the nation in the number of registered boat owners totaling 899,635 per the latest reports.

Florida also leads the nation in the number of boating fatalities. Drugs and alcohol played a role in 15% of deaths last year alone.  Of the 73 deaths and 365 injuries that occurred just last year on the water (down from 420 in 2013)- Volusia county ranked in the top 10 counties.

Boaters falling overboard and drowning is the leading cause of death among boaters.

Safe boating is a choice and currently the “Wear It Florida” campaign is encouraging boat safety by promoting life jacket use whenever boaters are on the water.

As long as the boat’s pilot is not impaired, it is perfectly legal to drink alcohol while boating in Florida.

If you plan to enjoy the water this summer Thomas Nicholl Law Firm encourages you to stay safe and eliminate boating under the influence-related accidents.

If you plan to go boating this summer here are a few safety tips from the Florida Fish and Wildlife:

• Always be weather-wise
• Use common sense
• Designate an assistant skipper
• Float plan- let family or others know of your itinerary
• Have enough life jackets and wear them!
• Consider a FREE vessel safety check from the US Coast Guard
• Learn to swim

If boating with pets always keep fresh drinking water available, provide a shaded area, and protect their feet as well as keep a pet lifejacket available.