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What Are Slip And Fall Accidents?
Slip and fall accidents are a type of premises liability accident, in which a hazard or dangerous condition on the property causes a victim to slip, fall, and sustain injuries.
Slip and fall accidents are often the result of negligence. If you’ve sustained injuries in a slip and fall accident on another party’s property as the result of their negligence, a slip and fall accident lawyer may be able to help you pursue accountability and restitution.
Common Injuries Sustained in Slip and Fall Accidents
Injuries from slip and fall accidents may include:
- Torn, pulled, and strained muscles
- Dislocated joints
- Broken and fractured bones
- Concussions
- Cuts and lacerations
- Herniated discs in your neck and back
- And possibly more
While some slip and fall accidents result in only minor injuries, depending on a number of factors, including the victim’s age and medical condition, these accidents have the potential to seriously impact a victim’s quality of life. If injuries sustained in a slip and fall accident prevent a victim from returning to work for an extended period of time, these accidents could lead to significant financial burdens, in addition to physical injuries.
Slip and Fall Liability
In Ontario, both commercial and residential property owners have a duty of care, meaning they are legally required to ensure that their property is safe. If a property owner or occupier does not adequately remove, repair, or warn guests of hazards on their property, they could be held liable for injuries sustained in accidents caused by those hazards.
Ontario slip and fall accidents in the winter months are often the result of uncleared ice and snow on walking paths. If you were injured because snow or ice on the sidewalk, or outside another party’s property was not adequately cleared, you may be able to recover damages from the responsible party.
Determining the liable party can be difficult. Since most property owners have insurance policies that cover personal injury claims caused by negligent behavior, if you were injured on someone else’s property, you may be able to pursue damages from the property owner’s insurance company.
Damages in Slip and Fall Accidents
According to the province’s Negligence Act, if you are able to prove that another party’s negligence was responsible for the slip and fall accident in which you sustained injuries, you may be able to recover damages for costs you incurred as a result. Depending on the specifics of your case, you may be able to recover both pecuniary and non-pecuniary damages.
Pecuniary losses are expenses directly incurred as a result of your injuries. For example, if you were required to pay for medical treatments for your injuries, these medical expenses could be considered pecuniary damages. You can calculate the losses you incurred as a result of your accident by submitting copies of receipts and invoices. Additionally, if your injuries prevented you from returning to work, wages you lost as a result may also be awarded as pecuniary damages.
If your accident resulted in permanent, catastrophic injuries, you may also be entitled to recover non-pecuniary damages, determined by the extent to which your injuries impact your quality of life. Serious injuries may cause emotional trauma and mental anguish. If your injuries prevent you from performing the same activities you enjoyed before your accident, you may be able to receive compensation for loss of enjoyment of life.
Call Preszler Injury Lawyers Today
If you were injured in a slip and fall accident, you may be able to recover compensation for damages you incurred as a result. In accordance with Ontario’s Limitations Act, you may only have a short time in which to pursue legal action. To speak Preszler Injury Lawyers about your slip and fall accident today, call 1-800-JUSTICE for a free, initial consultation.
