Falling on an icy sidewalk can lead to surprisingly severe injuries. Though Dallas, and most of Texas, is not known for snow and ice, there are still many days each Winter where ice and snow cause dangers for cars and trucks on the road. However, many Texans overlook the dangers on sidewalks and footpaths.
If you or a loved one was injured in a slip and fall accident on an icy sidewalk, talk to an attorney today. You may be entitled to compensation that can help pay for any medical expenses, lost wages, or pain and suffering that resulted from the accident. Our personal injury lawyers explain some information you need to know about slip and fall cases in Dallas. For a free consultation on your case, contact the Dallas slip and fall injury lawyers at The Queenan Law Firm today at (817) 476-1797.
Injuries from Icy Sidewalk Slip and Falls
You can face severe injuries from slipping and falling on an icy sidewalk. Especially in a place like Dallas where we rarely get snow, many people may not have good snow boots or experience walking on icy surfaces, making them more prone to falling down. In many falls, you can catch yourself or land in a way that prevents injury. Especially if you are athletic or in good shape, this might be easier. However, children and older adults are especially at risk for serious injuries after a slip and fall.
First off, you may face simple injuries. Even though cuts, scrapes, and other simple injuries may be common, they can still be quite severe. Especially for older adults who have difficulty healing after an injury, even something like a bruise could become a dangerous hematoma.
Broken bones would also likely qualify as “simple” injuries, but these are clearly at a higher level of severity. Breaking an arm or a leg during a fall can make it difficult to return to work until the injury heals and could interfere with your life in other ways. Other bones commonly broken in a slip and fall accident include the collarbone if you fall on your side or shoulder, as well as your hip/pelvis. Especially for the elderly, a broken hip can require surgery and a protracted recovery process.
Landing on your back or spine can have serious, long-lasting consequences. It is often difficult to control how you will fall, and landing on your tailbone or flat on your back can cause severe back and spine injuries. Nearly every function of your body below your head itself travels through your spine. This means that excess pressure on your spinal cord from misaligned bones or a slipped/herniated disc could cause motor function issues, pain, or numbness in nearly any area of your body.
Lastly, hitting your head during a fall can cause serious or even deadly results. A strong blow to the head can cause concussions or more serious traumatic brain injury (TBI). This can mean problems with motor skills, memory, cognition, recognizing people or objects, mood swings, personality changes, and other tragic consequences. It may even require ongoing medical care for the rest of your life, just from a seemingly simple slip and fall accident.
Suing for a Slip and Fall Case in Texas
When you are injured in a slip and fall, you may be entitled to file a lawsuit for compensation. This lawsuit can also often be filed on behalf of a spouse who is too injured to bring the case themselves. Filing a lawsuit can potentially get compensation for medical bills, lost wages, and the pain and suffering you face after a serious injury.
Part of filing a lawsuit is selecting the proper defendant to sue. In a slip and fall case, the owner of the property is likely the one at fault for the accident. If they failed to clear snow or salt a sidewalk, they should be held liable for the danger on their property. For sidewalks, the owner of the property next to the sidewalk is usually the one responsible, not the local municipal or city government. This rule applies equally to homeowners and business owners.
In the case of a slip and fall at an apartment or rented home, you may be able to sue the renter or the owner. Their rental agreement will lay out rules for who is responsible for things like shoveling sidewalks, but in cases of a single-family home, the renters may be liable.
Often, homeowners insurance or business liability insurance can pay for injuries like this, meaning that the money likely does not come straight from the defendant’s pocket. Because of this, you may be able to claim substantial damages.
Texas Slip and Fall Injury Lawyers for Icy Sidewalk Cases
If you or a loved one was injured in a slip and fall on an icy sidewalk in Dallas, talk to a lawyer at The Queenan Law Firm, P.C., today. Our attorneys can take your case to court and fight to get compensation from the negligent property owner who failed to clear snow and ice. For a free consultation on your case with our Texas personal injury lawyers, contact our law offices today at (817) 476-1797.