Slip and fall accidents can have a far-reaching impact on not just injured  victims, but often on the entire family.

Such accidents can result in a variety of injuries that result in serious physical, financial and emotional consequences.

Most people tend to assume that “Accidents are just accidents.” However, it’s a fact that most accidents are avoidable and preventable. They’re usually caused by someone’s fault or negligence, especially when they occur on someone else’s property.

Another common assumption that people make is that the accident happened because the victim was careless or not paying enough attention. As a result, many people injured in slip and fall accidents fail to take action against property-owners. CBC News Toronto reported that  that slip and fall injuries seemed to be on the rise and these figures continue to cause alarm pedestrians and health-care professionals. Toronto’s extended wintry conditions are the culprit in the huge number of people who have been injured after slipping and falling on icy, wet pavements, uncleared snow, hidden potholes and a host of other unforeseen hazards.

Skidding on ice can lead to a range of injuries, including a nasty crack on the head, damage to your spine, fractured hip-bones, dental and facial damage and crush injuries. If you skid and fall from a height, the risks are even greater.

Property-owners have a duty of care to ensure that their premises remain safe for all those who legitimately visit.

If you or a dear one has been injured in a slip and fall accident, contact the nearest personal injury lawyer with experience in dealing with similar cases. You may be entitled to compensation.

Types of Injuries

When such accidents happen, the injuries can range from minor and temporary to serious, life-altering, life-threatening and permanent. They include different types of soft tissue injuries, fractures, brain and spinal cord damage etc.

Whatever the nature of injury, it’s important to immediately report the injury to someone in authority at the site of the accident, collect details of how the accident happened by taking photographs if possible and most importantly, visit a qualified medical doctor without delay and get a thorough examination done. These steps are crucial when seeking compensation and medical, legal and insurance issues arise.

Who Is Liable?

Though the circumstances may differ from case to case, in general, property owners, those who rent or lease premises, multiple occupiers like shared tenancies, both landlord and tenant sharing the premises, organizations like sports-bodies etc all have a duty of care to ensure that their premises remain in a state of reasonable safety. Occupier’s Liability laws are in force across the country and clearly define the liability in case of single or multiple  owner/lessee/tenant/occupier. The lease or rent agreement should define the responsibilities and duties of each one of the parties, regarding areas, inspection, repairs, maintenance and liability.

Business owners are held to a higher standard of care. They must ensure that warning-signs are in place and be reasonably able to foresee  negligence by any third-party who occupies the premises.

Injured victims or their families can ensure that their rights and interests are protected by consulting an experienced slip and fall injury lawyer.