A Florida judge has ruled in favor of the victim of a supermarket slip-and-fall accident, finding that the supermarket failed to properly alert customers to a wet floor hazard. The judge also noted that the store’s insurance company acted in bad faith, after they failed to investigate the claim and denied the plaintiff’s claim “without justification.” The plaintiff, who suffered severe injuries and incurred significant medical expenses, was awarded $3 million in damages.
Slip-and-fall injuries can be deadly. Here’s an overview of common injuries and complications from slip-and-fall accidents:
- Broken bones: Depending on the severity of the impact, slipping, tripping and falling can break bones. This is especially common when victims try to break their fall with their arms. Broken wrists, fingers, ankles and pelvises are also common.
- Head and neck injuries: If a victim is unable to break their fall, they may suffer head and neck injuries. These include damage to muscles, tendons and ligaments—but in severe accidents, victims may damage their spine, spinal cord or experience traumatic brain injury.
- Cuts and bruises: When victims fall on broken glass, metal or other sharp objects, they can suffer severe lacerations and bruises. This can cause permanent scarring and nerve, muscle or tissue damage. Particularly serious cuts can be life-threatening.
- Joint injuries: Throwing up our arms to break a fall is an instinctive reaction. Even if the impact doesn’t break bones, it can cause significant damage to joints. For example, twisting a knee can lead to sprains and other soft tissue damage. Elbows are particularly vulnerable to nerve damage. Depending on the seriousness of the impact, recovery may involve physical therapy and surgery.
If you’ve been in a slip-and-fall accident due to someone else’s negligence, help is available. Contact a knowledgeable Bradenton, FL car accident attorney at Goldman, Babboni, Fernandez, Murphy & Walsh today.