Difference Between Slip & Fall and Trip & Fall Accidents
Slips, trips, and falls can cause severe injuries. When a property owner is responsible for a slip & fall or trip & fall accident, they can be liable for your damages. The liability is the same whether you slipped or tripped, but it could matter as far as the injuries you sustain.
What Is a Slip and Fall Accident in Denver, CO?
A slip and fall accident occurs when your foot slips out from under you because it loses traction with the floor. The primary cause of slip and fall accidents is slick surfaces or something on the ground that is slippery.
Examples of slip and fall accidents include:
- Water or other liquid spilled on the floor
- Recently waxed or cleaned hard floors
- Hard, cold surfaces with condensation
- Floor coverings with low coefficients of friction
When a person slips, their balance is shifted backward. Common injuries caused by slip and fall accidents include:
- Shoulder injuries, including fractures, rotator cuff injuries, and dislocations
- Back injuries, including nerve damage, herniated discs, and fractured vertebrae
- Spinal cord injuries
- Traumatic brain injury, concussions, and skull fractures
- Hip injuries and fractures
- Elbow fractures
- Broken bones
- Neck injuries, including cervical fractures and whiplash
It is essential that you seek immediate medical treatment after a slip and fall accident. Aches and pains could indicate a severe injury. Prompt medical treatment improves your chance of recovery and helps you with a premises liability claim.
What Is a Trip and Fall Accident in Denver, CO?
The main difference between a slip & fall and a trip & fall accident is how the accident happens. When a person trips, it is because their foot stops when it encounters an object. However, the person’s body continues to move forward.
Examples of trip and fall accidents include:
- Uneven flooring and damaged flooring
- Broken or uneven sidewalks
- Items or debris left on the floor
- An elevation between a sidewalk and the street
- Broken or missing steps
- Door jams that are uneven or damaged
Trip and fall accidents can result in the same injuries that a slip and fall accident causes. However, because the person falls forward, they may sustain facial injuries, broken arms & wrists, and ankle & foot injuries. As with a slip and fall, you should seek immediate medical treatment after a trip and fall accident.
Filing Premises Liability Claims for Slip & Fall and Trip & Fall Accidents
Falls on someone else’s property are covered by premises liability laws. Property owners have a duty of care to maintain safe premises. Other parties, including businesses, government entities, management companies, tenants, landlords, and homeowners, could also be liable for slip, trip, and fall accidents.
When you sue for slip, trip, and fall accidents, you can receive compensation for your economic and non-economic damages. Examples of damages in a slip and fall accident include:
- Medical bills and expenses
- Physical pain and suffering
- Mental anguish and emotional distress
- Diminished quality of life
- Lost wages and benefits
- Rehabilitative therapies
- Scarring and disfigurement
- Reduction in earning capacity
- Impairments and disabilities
- Out-of-pocket expenses
The severity of your injuries and other factors determine how much your slip & fall or trip & fall case is worth. Insurance companies and property owners are not interested in paying large claims. They may offer a settlement amount that does not compensate you for the total value of your damages.
Before accepting a settlement offer, talk with a Denver slip and fall accident lawyer. An attorney can tell you whether the settlement offer is fair or whether your damages are worth more.
What Is the Deadline for Filing Slip, Trip, and Fall Accident Claims in Colorado?
The statute of limitations in Colorado’s most premises liability cases is two years from the accident date. A judge can dismiss a lawsuit filed after the statute of limitations expires, even if the injured party has a legal claim.
Therefore, don’t delay in seeking legal advice about your case. Exceptions to the rule could change the deadline in your case. The sooner you speak with an attorney, the better.
What Should I Do if I Fall on Someone Else’s Property?
The steps you take after a slip & fall or trip & fall can help strengthen a premises liability claim. Steps to take include:
- Report the fall and injury to the property owner, manager, or other party responsible for the property
- Take photographs and make a video of the accident scene before the property owner corrects the problem
- Seek prompt medical care to document your injuries
- Do not discuss the accident on social media
- Avoid talking with an insurance adjuster or the property owner without legal counsel
Hiring a Denver premises liability lawyer can improve your chance of securing a fair settlement. If you are unsure whether you need a lawyer, you can take advantage of a free consultation to learn more about slip and fall accident claims.
Contact our Denver Slip and Fall Accident Law Firm Today For Help
For more information please contact Zaner Harden Personal Injury Lawyers to schedule a free initial consultation with a Denver car accident lawyer.
Zaner Harden Personal Injury Lawyers
1610 Wynkoop Street, Suite 120. Denver, CO 80202
(720) 613 9706
24/7
