Slip and fall injuries are commonplace in Summerside, Prince Edward Island. Whether it’s a frozen sidewalk or the baywalk in the icy winter months, slippery floors at the local farmers market, or a poorly lit petrol station bathroom, slip and fall incidents often lead to extremely painful injuries that happen when you’re least expecting it.
They’re often unavoidable, agonizing and embarrassing. They can happen almost anywhere, and can result in expensive medical bills, lengthy rehabilitation programs, and long periods where the victim simply can’t earn an income.
Thankfully at NOVA Injury Law, our lawyers are compassionate and will treat you with the respect you deserve. We’re experienced, understanding, and know how to maneuver the tricky legal landscape to get you the compensation you need.
Adding to our experience, we have a practicing emergency room physician with special training in occupational medicine consulting on all of our cases, as required. Having this expertise built into our practice means two things:
- We have ready-made access to a doctor to provide advice on your injuries from the moment your Free Case Review starts.
- Depending on your injuries, our doctor can then organize fast advice from a specialist. So if you have a fracture or a torn muscle or ligament, we would consult with an orthopedic surgeon or if you believe your eye-sight has been affected following a bad fall, we would seek priority advice from an ophthalmologist. Likewise, our in-house physician can organize prioritized access to other occupational therapists who not only help our client’s recover from injury, but help us develop accurate forecasts of future recovery and rehabilitation needs.
This is why we are considered one of the premier law firms in Atlantic Canada. From the moment you talk with us about your needs, you have immediate access to medical support and advice, and you give our lawyers the greenlight to build medically-backed watertight compensation claims in a way no other personal injury law firm can. Better yet, we operate on a no-win, no-fee basis. That means you get all of this for free, until we win your case and you receive a maximized compensation payout.
How do slip and fall incidents happen?
Slip and fall incidents often result from various factors beyond the control of the victim. For instance, during the winter months in Summerside, PEI, cold weather can cause surfaces to become uneven, icy, and slippery when exposed to the outdoor elements. Moreover, unstable and inconsistent surfaces, such as cracked or broken concrete on sidewalks, and poorly signposted supermarket floors can also lead to such incidents.
Parking lots and garages can pose a threat as uneven surfaces, debris, and potholes can cause people to trip and fall.
In all cases, property owners and proprietors have a responsibility to maintain safe environments on their premises and to take reasonable steps to prevent slip and fall incidents occurring. This can include regularly inspecting and maintaining flooring, promptly addressing spills and other hazards, ensuring walkways are clear, well-lit and stairs have appropriate handrails.
Slip and fall injuries can lead to lengthy time off work in recovery, expensive ongoing medical treatment, and loss of future income. Given the seriousness of these injuries, it’s crucial for individuals and business owners alike to implement preventive measures to avoid slip and fall incidents.
What can you look out for to limit your chances of sustaining a slip and fall injury?
To decrease the likelihood of incidents, it’s important to mark hazardous areas. As an individual, being mindful of your surroundings and potential hazards is crucial. Wearing appropriate footwear with good traction and taking extra caution in wet and icy weather is also necessary. Staying connected with your community and reporting any potential hazards can aid in preventing incidents from occurring. However, it’s impossible to remain vigilant at all times, and people often rush from one place to the next due to human nature. Unexpectedly, you could experience a slip and fall incident with severe consequences. Get in touch with NOVA Injury Law right away for a Free Case Review.
Common injuries sustained from slip and fall incidents
Slip and fall incidents can happen unexpectedly and in many places, whether you’re visiting a friend at a mall, shopping for groceries, or heading home from work. They can occur on both public and private property (including rentals) and can result in a range of injuries, from minor scrapes and bruises to severe, life-changing injuries that require long-term support.
Injuries sustained from slip and fall incidents can be extensive and include:
- Falls can cause wrist, elbow, and shoulder injuries, including rotator cuff tears, dislocations, tendinitis, and bursitis.
- Spinal cord injuries, such as herniated discs, pinched nerves, and fractured vertebrae, which can limit mobility and even cause paralysis.
- Knee and ankle injuries are also common, including fractures and sprains that can require expensive surgery and rehabilitation.
- Head injuries, such as traumatic brain injuries (TBI), ranging from concussions to more severe injuries like skull fractures, hematoma, and hemorrhaging, can cause seizures and even death.
- Hip fractures can cause ongoing difficulties walking, often requiring corrective surgery to heal.
- Facial injuries such as nose and jaw fractures, shattered teeth, and lacerations that require costly and painful corrective surgery.
How can a slip and fall incident impact your life?
As well as the physical pain and suffering of these injuries, slip and fall victims often face significant financial burdens from medical bills, hospital treatment, surgeries, and long-term rehabilitation. The recovery process can be prolonged and may require extended periods of time off work, leading to feelings of helplessness and frustration, as well as anxiety and depression.
That’s why it’s important to contact NOVA Injury Law right away, if you’ve been injured. We’ll explain how the Occupiers’ Liability Act applies to your incident and look into the insurance coverage of the place where your injury occurred. We can also assist in helping you to find the best treatment and benefits available through your insurance policy. This may include accessing long-term disability benefits. We want your recovery to be unhampered by financial stress.
Unlike some car accident claims, the value of your slip and fall claim is not limited by legislation, which may entitle you to greater compensation for certain injuries. NOVA Injury Law is committed to fighting for your right to fair compensation throughout the entire process, from the day of your injury to the day you receive the compensation you deserve.
From the moment your Free Case Review starts we will work hard to determine the extent of the injuries sustained in the incident. If you decide to pursue the matter, we will review medical records and consult with medical experts specializing in your injury type to understand the type, and the extent, of the treatment required. We will consider how the injuries have impacted your ability to work and your overall quality of life – and forecast these impacts into the future.
Do you qualify for compensation?
To successfully file a claim after a slip and fall incident, determining fault is essential. Our team of lawyers will investigate and answer questions such as: How negligent were the responsible parties? What is a fair amount of compensation for the losses incurred? For example, we may prove that the property owner was at fault for failing to put up proper signage in an area with slippery floors or uneven surfaces.
To build a strong case, our lawyers consider various factors such as the location of the incident, the type of property, and the victim’s medical condition prior to and after the incident.
Our in-house physician, Dr. Laura Mitchell, and a team of medical professionals work with our lawyers to gather evidence and develop the strongest possible argument for your claim.
Typically, a slip and fall claim hinges on whether the responsible party should have known of the dangerous condition and notified the victim before the incident, or if the responsible party caused the dangerous condition that led to the incident.
It then becomes a matter of whether both parties acted reasonably to prevent the incident. Were reasonable precautions taken by the property owner, and did the victim act reasonably to avoid the incident?
In Clements v. Clements, [2012] 2 SCR 181, where Justice Rothstein stated:
“The law of negligence imposes a duty on both the occupier of the premises and the person entering upon them to take reasonable care to avoid injury. The occupier must ensure that the premises are reasonably safe, while the visitor must take reasonable care for his or her own safety. In cases where an incident occurs, it is necessary to determine whether the occupier or the visitor failed to meet their respective obligations.”
Our lawyers are committed to advocating for clients by making compelling arguments to prove the property owner is liable for the damages, injuries, and losses incurred.
Let NOVA Injury Law aid your recovery from a slip and fall accident recover
Determining whether to file a personal injury claim can be challenging, especially in a small community where you’re acquainted with everyone. Let NOVA Injury Law find the right claim for you and safeguard your rights. With our help, you can trust that we’ll manage communications with the other party’s insurance company and secure the best possible compensation for your case. To make an informed and sound decision, reach out to us for a Free Case Review. We will guide you through the whole process and provide unwavering support, from the very first consultation.
If you have had a slip and fall incident, you need to act now
Reach out to us for a Free Case Review, where we help you with your claim. Once you have us in your corner, you will get access to medical advice and a team of experienced slip and fall lawyers to quickly assess injuries and start building a compelling medical evidence file to support your claim. Working so closely with medical professionals is a key reason why NOVA Injury Law is considered one of the leading personal injury law firms in Atlantic Canada.
Better yet, our Principal Lawyer, Jeff Mitchell is admitted to the PEI Law Society, and our team of lawyers are actually part of the Summerside community meaning we can work with professionals, community groups and volunteers all over the city to get you the support you need.
We understand the devastating impacts a slip-fall injury can have on your life and the lives of your loved ones. Know that you are not alone with our team of lawyers and medical professionals in your corner fighting for you every step of the way.
If you’ve been in a slip and fall incident, contact NOVA Injury Law, so we can help you to recover today, and get your life back on track tomorrow with our no-obligation consultation, and contingency fee agreements.
For more information or to set up a Free Case Review about your slip and fall claim, you can reach us by calling 1-800-262-8104 or writing Jeff Mitchell at jeff@novainjurylaw.com now. Our team of lawyers is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, to support you and help you learn more about your legal right to recover compensation due to a slip and fall claim. Get in touch with us now to learn how we can help you!