Beverly Hills Slip and Fall Accident Lawyers
Shops and restaurants across Beverly Hills open their doors every day to welcome a multitude of residents and tourists. Among the hustle and bustle, slip and fall accidents undoubtedly happen. When they do, Beverly Hills slip and fall lawyers step into action, investigating the facts and fighting for fair compensation where warranted.
Slips and falls are common occurrences
Falls affect millions of people each year. According to the National Safety Council, non-fatal falls accounted for roughly 9,000,000 emergency room visits in 2012 alone, and slips and falls made up about 1 million of those total falls. Falls also lead to the deaths of more than 30,000 people annually, placing it as the 2nd most common cause of accidental death.
Very often, slips and falls are preventable. For example, more than half of all slips, trips, and falls were due to some obstruction or hazard in the walkway. While workplace accidents account for a large proportion of falls, many serious slip-related accidents take place in businesses and on public property, including sidewalks and in government buildings. Where a fall occurs affects who may be liable, and sometimes special rules apply like when the fall was on government property. Therefore, speak with a Los Angeles slip and fall attorney as soon as possible after suffering a fall.
Common injuries from a slip and fall
Certain types of injuries are more common with slips and falls.
Head injuries – Falls are the most common cause of traumatic brain injury; 40% of all TBI-related emergency room visits are caused by falls. TBIs can range from mild concussions to serious conditions with severely debilitating symptoms.
Broken bones – Breaks and fractures of the hip, wrist, and ankle are common from slips and falls. In fact, according to the CDC, more than 95% of broken hips are sustained in falls.
Spinal cord injuries – The impact of a fall can injure vertebrae, discs, or nerves. The results can include pain, numbness, and even temporary or permanent paralysis.
Shoulder injuries – Common injuries include dislocation of the shoulder and brachial plexus injury. The brachial plexus is a bundle of nerves running through the shoulder and injury can lead to weakness or loss of movement in certain muscles of the arm or hand.
Sprains – The twisting that comes from a person trying to protect themselves during a fall can damage the connective tissues around the joints. Knees, wrists, and ankles are especially vulnerable to sprains.
What to do after a slip and fall injury
California limits the amount of a time a personal injury victim must file a lawsuit. Usually this is two years, but when the city, state, or federal government is to blame, the period is shortened drastically. Therefore it is important to talk to a slip and fall accident lawyer as soon as possible after the incident.
In addition to the limited time to file a personal injury claim, you may also have limited time to obtain and preserve evidence like business surveillance camera footage. A Beverly Hills slip and fall lawyer who understands the facts of your case will determine what steps need to be taken to protect this kind of evidence.
If you or a loved one suffered a slip and fall injury in Beverly Hills, call today to speak with a Los Angeles personal injury attorney at Ellis Injury Law. We understand the physical, financial, and emotional stress that a serious fall can put you under and we are committed to fighting for your right to fair compensation. All consultations are free and confidential.