A slip and fall can happen in seconds, but the injuries can be long lasting. The risk of falls is especially high in healthcare settings such as hospitals, nursing homes, assisted living facilities, rehabilitation centers, and outpatient clinics because patients are already recovering from surgery or dealing with illness and/or mobility limitations. In addition, patients and visitors may encounter a variety of hazards that can increase the risk of a slip and fall, including wet floors and obstructions from medical equipment. Falls may be particularly serious for older adults, who can be more vulnerable to fractures, head injuries, and other complications that affect their independence and quality of life.
If you or a loved one fell and were injured in a hospital or other healthcare facility, you may be dealing with medical bills, lost income, and pain while trying to determine who may be responsible. If negligent care or a dangerous condition in the healthcare facility caused or contributed to the fall, you may have grounds for a personal injury claim. We recommend scheduling a free consultation with a local slip and fall accident attorney to review your case and discuss your legal options.
When Can Slip and Falls in Hospitals or Other Healthcare Facilities Lead to a Claim?
Not every slip and fall results in a personal injury claim. Generally, you may have a claim when the fall was caused by a dangerous condition that the property owner or another responsible party knew about or should have known about but failed to take reasonable steps to address.
A claim may also be possible when inadequate supervision, a failure to provide appropriate assistance, or a failure to establish and follow reasonable safety protocols contributed to the fall.
Who May be Responsible for a Slip and Fall Accident in a Hospital or Other Healthcare Facility?
Depending on the circumstances, one or more parties may be responsible for a slip and fall, including:
- The hospital or healthcare facility may be responsible if it failed to maintain safe conditions or address a known hazard.
- Property owners may be responsible if the facility operates in a building owned by another party that was responsible for maintaining the property.
- Cleaning or maintenance companies may be responsible if a contracted company created or failed to address a dangerous condition.
- Contractors may be responsible if construction, repairs, or other work contributed to the fall.
- Long-term care facility staff or administrators may be responsible if inadequate supervision, failure to assist residents with mobility needs, or failure to follow established safety procedures contributed to a fall.
Your slip and fall accident attorney will review the circumstances of the accident to determine who was responsible for the accident.
How Does a Personal Injury Attorney Prove Slip and Falls in Hospitals and Other Healthcare Facilities?
Proving a slip and fall claim requires evidence that establishes the four elements of negligence. An attorney may investigate the scene, review available records, and speak with people who witnessed the accident to gather evidence supporting each element.
- Duty: The attorney may determine who was responsible for maintaining the area or providing appropriate care, safety protocols, or supervision.
- Breach (Negligence): Evidence may show that the responsible party failed to meet its duty. Photographs, surveillance video, incident reports, maintenance records, inspection records, cleaning schedules, and employee reports may be used to help establish that a dangerous condition existed or that required safety procedures were not followed.
- Causation: The attorney must connect the negligent conduct or dangerous condition to the fall and resulting injuries. Surveillance footage, witness statements, incident reports, and medical records may help show how the accident happened and whether the fall caused the injuries in the claim.
- Damages: Medical records and other documentation can help establish the losses caused by the fall. These may include medical expenses, lost income, and other costs or losses related to the injuries.
How a Slip and Fall Attorney Can Help
A slip and fall accident attorney will handle the legal aspects of your slip and fall claim so you can focus on recovery. They will:
- Evaluate your claim and damages to help determine the compensation you may be entitled to seek.
- Build a strong case by investigating the circumstances of your accident, identifying potentially responsible parties, and gathering evidence such as photographs, surveillance footage, maintenance records, and witness statements.
- Handle negotiations with insurance companies and advocate for a fair settlement that accounts for your injuries and losses.
- File a slip and fall lawsuit and represent you in court if the parties cannot reach a fair settlement through negotiations.
Contact a Slip and Fall Injury Lawyer Today!
A slip and fall accident attorney can help you recover a full and fair settlement for the injuries you sustained in an accident caused by the negligence of another with no up-front costs to you. We know the sneaky strategies used by insurance companies to get injured people to agree to settlements far below what they are worth. Our clients typically end up with a settlement or jury award that is five to ten times larger than they could have negotiated on their own. We have been representing residents of Whatcom County, Skagit County, Island County and Snohomish County who were injured in Washington State since 1979. Contact the experienced and hard-working personal injury lawyers at Tario & Associates, P.S. in Mount Vernon, WA today for a FREE consultation!
