Though we don’t usually think about it, there are a lot of things in our daily lives that can lead to an injury. Many of these are slip and fall hazards, meaning dangerous objects and conditions that can cause us to slip. Many of these accidents result in the person falling down to the ground or floor and ending up with serious injuries. If the injury occurred on someone else’s property, you would likely have a claim for monetary damages from a slip and fall caused by negligence.
But not all cases of slipping on something lead to the person falling down. What if you catch yourself from falling but are still injured? In a case like this, can you have a valid slip and fall claim even though you didn’t technically fall?
Yes, you can still seek compensation through a slip and fall lawsuit, even if you did not fall down. What matters is that you were injured as the result of a condition on the property that should have been resolved by the owner. In this article, we will discuss the topic of slip and twist accidents and your eligibility for compensation if you slipped on a private or commercial property. For more information on your legal rights, contact the attorneys of Normandie Law Firm as soon as possible.
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What is a Slip and Twist Accident?
Though they are similar in nature, there are some critical differences between a slip and fall accident and a slip and twist accident. Most obviously, slip and falls generally involve the victim falling onto the floor or some other surface. The blunt force trauma from hitting that surface often results in serious injuries to various parts of your body.
On the other hand, slip and twist cases refer to incidents where the person slips from an unsafe condition, but manages to catch themselves before they fall. Usually, they are able to catch their balance while they are in the middle of a fall, or they may grab on to something, like the edge of a table or shelf. The problem is, you can still sustain injuries to your body even if you don’t actually fall. In the next section, we will discuss these injuries in greater detail.
To learn more about your legal options, including the possibility of filing a slip and twist injury lawsuit, give us a call to schedule a free case evaluation. Our slip and fall lawyers can assist you with a claim against any type of property, including:
- Stores
- Restaurants / bars / nightclubs
- Shopping malls
- Apartment complexes / condo associations
- Office buildings
- Workplaces
- Government buildings
- City parks and beaches
- Sidewalks and walkways
- Gas stations
- Movie theaters
- Sports stadiums / concert venues
- Swimming pools
- Health care facilities – nursing homes, hospitals, rehab centers, etc.
- Parking lots
- Elevators and escalators
- Motels, hotels, and resorts
- Construction sites
- Carnivals and amusement parks
- Bus and train stations
Examples of Slip and Twist Injuries
It’s not hard to see how you can be seriously injured if something causes you to slip and fall down. But the motions associated with preventing yourself from falling can result in bodily harm as well. Below are some of injuries that are associated with slip and twists:
- Sprains / strains from overstretching and twisting, especially in the ankles and wrists.
- Soft tissue injuries, such as tendinitis and bursitis.
- Joint dislocation, commonly associated with extreme twisting in areas like the shoulder and knees.
- Cuts, scratches, and punctures in the skin based on the surfaces and objects you come into contact with as you try to catch your balance.
- Head injuries, including broken facial bones and brain damage (from hitting your head on the wall, shelf, table, or other objects in the way).
Suing for a Slip and Twist Incident
As we mentioned before, you may have a case for monetary compensation if you suffered an injury on someone else’s property due to an unsafe condition. Your right to a lawsuit is based on the legal concept of premises liability, which holds property owners responsible if they fail to maintain reasonably safe conditions. If these conditions on the property cause someone to slip and hurt themselves, the owner can be sued for the injuries that are sustained by the victim.
Here are some examples of hazards on a property that can lead to a slip and twist injury:
- Liquid spills on the floor
- Leaking pipes, sinks, and toilets
- Broken appliances (especially refrigerators and freezers)
- Snow and ice
- Loose mats and rugs
- Missing or loose floorboards
- Slippery steps / stairs
- Broken or poorly designed handrails
- Exposed wiring and cords that are not secured properly
- Residue from cleaning fluids, soap, and other substances
- Failure to place Wet Floor signs around spills / wet areas
- Oil and grease stains (common on sidewalks or outdoor facilities, like gas stations)
What is the Average Case Value for these Accidents?
The settlement that is awarded in personal injury lawsuits is based on the victim’s harm and suffering, which results in monetary losses that are known as “damages.” Monetary damages that may be included in a slip and fall injury settlement are as follows:
- Compensation for medical treatments and services
- Pain and suffering
- Lost wages from missed time at work
- Emotional distress
- Property damage
- Cost of hiring a lawyer
- Punitive damages
The key is to determine which of these payments you are entitled to and the amount you can receive in each of these categories. Though numerous elements are used to calculate settlement amounts, the extent of your injuries will play the biggest role. For injuries that are relatively minor, a slip and twist case may be worth around $15,000 to $50,000. For moderate injuries that require surgery, physical therapy, and more involved medical treatments (but recovery is expected), $75,000 to $250,000 is a reasonable range of case values. When the victim’s injuries are severe and/or permanent (paralysis, loss of limb, brain damage, etc.), settlements can range from $500,000 to $2,000,000 and above.
Keep in mind that each case is unique, with its own set of circumstances that will determine what the victim deserves from the liable party. For an accurate assessment of your case value if you slipped and injured yourself on someone else’s property, call us to speak to a lawyer with experience in slip and fall accident injuries.
Deadline to File a Personal Injury Claim
To validate your right to monetary compensation, your lawsuit must be filed no later than two years from the date you were injured from a slip and twist incident. As a general rule, this is the date of the accident itself, but some injuries can take time to appear. Thus, you can also base the statute of limitations on the date of discovering an injury from a fall-related accident. It’s essential to consult an experienced slip and fall attorney, who can verify the correct filing deadline for your lawsuit. If you get this information wrong and exceed the two-year window, it’s more than likely that you will lose the right to sue altogether.
We also want to stress the difference between suing a private entity versus a public entity. Specially, we are talking about claims against the government, which include injuries at places like buildings, parks, and sidewalks that are managed by the city, county, or state. A government claim must be filed within 6 months from the date of injury. You can only proceed with a lawsuit if your claim is rejected in writing within 45 days. This will allow you 6 months from the rejection date to bring forth a lawsuit; if there is no response after 45 days, the statute of limitations for a lawsuit is 2 years from the accident date.
How Long it Takes to Settle a Slip and Twist Case
Obtaining the funds you are owed is a primary concern when you are left with significant monetary losses. That’s why we strive to bring closure to these cases within 6 months, though how long it will take to settle your case depends on a variety of factors. It may take just weeks to reach a settlement with the other party, though this is unlikely if you have serious injuries that merit higher case values. If you are suing for a slip and fall incident on a commercial property, 8 to 10 months is a more likely timeframe, and perhaps one to two years if the at fault party is a government entity (city or county of Los Angeles, for example).
If you would like a detailed explanation on the case settlement process for a slip and fall lawsuit, please reach out to us for a free case review.
The Slip and Fall Lawsuit Attorney of Normandie
Despite how common slip and fall accidents are, there’s no denying that the process of obtaining compensation is an uphill battle for most injury victims. Representation from a skilled fall injury accident lawyer is critical to your success, but you are worried about the cost of legal fees. That won’t be a problem here at Normandie Law Firm, thanks to the Zero Fee Guarantee. We charge the defendant for the cost of our services, which is paid to us as a part of your settlement check. In short, we only get paid by winning your case.
Free legal services include second opinion consultations if you have an active slip and twist injury case. If you’re concerned about your law firm’s handling of your case or have any other concerns, we are happy to advise you on your rights and legal options. To schedule a free second opinion on your slip and fall accident claim, simply give us a call at our office.
We are here to help, no matter what stage you’re at in the legal process. Don’t hesitate to contact us if you’ve been injured from a slip and twist accident that was caused by someone else’s negligence.
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