Very few people spend their life looking down at all the surfaces they are traversing each day. Most are looking around at other people, taking in the natural beauty outdoors, and looking at artwork or other points of interest when walking through an office building or other large structure. And when in a store or shopping mall, everyone seems consumed with the entertainment value of window shopping. We even have a negative connotation for anyone walking around staring at the ground. We perceive them as sad or even depressed. But those could be the wise ones among us.
Only those looking toward the floor or ground will notice a broken tile before it becomes a trip and fall hazard that could cause severe injuries. Sadly, this very popular flooring surface is used indoors and out. And while it does offer a level of longevity and low maintenance, it can also be prone to chipping, cracking, and breaking, which is not common with surfaces such as wood, concrete, or other solid surfaces.
If you have suffered a trip and fall due to broken tile that resulted in injuries, the Normandie Law Firm is here to explain your rights as an injury victim. Please do not assume that the fall was your fault and that the medical bills you face and the issue of your lost wages are unsolvable. Instead, contact the Normandie Law Firm today to discuss the specifics of your injuries and get the answers you need during a free consultation with a Normandie Law Firm expert who can advise you about the potential of a fall due to broken tile lawsuit.
Tile Flooring Is Everywhere
Until you have suffered a trip and fall due to broken tile flooring, you might not even notice how many places use this flooring surface. It can be found in houses, office buildings, schools, medical facilities, stores, and even outdoor patios and walkways. The surface is considered very durable, is offered in many sizes, styles, colors, and textures, and requires little care. However, the corners and edges of the tiles, and the grout installed between the tiles can become damaged or broken, creating uneven flooring surfaces and many tripping hazards. So any time you are walking on tile indoors or outside, it is wise to keep scanning the area to avoid the safety hazard of stepping on or tripping on a broken tile.
The Potential Injuries From A Fall Due To Broken Tile
Many imagine a slip and fall or trip and fall resulting in nothing more than a few scrapes and bruises. However, when walking across a hard surface like tile and falling, the potential for serious injuries is genuine. Some of the most severe injuries that could occur when you fall due to broken tile include:
- Broken or fractured bones in the hands, arms, legs, or torso
- Dislocated joints of the hands, arms, or legs
- Damage to internal organs or internal bleeding
- Damage to the neck, spine, or spinal cord
- Facial injuries to the nose, mouth, teeth, or eyes
- Head injuries, including a concussion, skull fracture, or traumatic brain injury
- Severe lacerations or puncture wounds
These injuries can be very serious, and many could become life-threatening if not treated immediately. Therefore, it is always wise to seek medical attention after suffering any fall, especially when the impact is on a hard surface such as tile. Unfortunately, many fall victims suffer injuries masked by shock and are only treated after they have worsened. This increases the potential for complications and often lengthens the time needed to reach a full recovery.
Who Is Responsible For Your Fall Die To Broken Tile?
After suffering injuries from falling on broken tiles, it can be easy to blame yourself and feel very careless. However, it is essential to remember that the owners of any property have a duty of care that is required. It is the owner or property manager’s responsibility to inspect the property for hazards, have any reported safety issues corrected, and provide safety warnings until proper repairs can be completed.
If you tripped and fell over broken tiles that have been ongoing issues or ignored by the property owner, they could be responsible for your injuries. The team at Normandie Law Firm is ready to help you determine how your fall occurred and if the condition of the tile and a lack of appropriate care contributed to the injuries you suffered.
Gathering Vital Information And Evidence
It is critical to determine if the broken tile that caused you to fall was recently damaged or if it has been a long-term safety hazard. But it is unlikely that a property owner will volunteer that verification that the tile has been broken for months, and they chose not to have it repaired. So it is essential that you document as much of the scene of your fall as possible before leaving the property.
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If a friend or family member is with you when you fall, ask them to take the following pictures or take them yourself if you are alone:
- Images of the broken tile that caused your fall, including wide-angle shots to show the location of the tiles in the room or walkway and close-up pictures – the close-up images can help determine how long the tile had been broken due to the discoloration or staining of the damaged edges
- Pictures of your injuries
- Images of other damaged areas in the floor or safety hazards nearby
You will also want to gather the contact information of any witnesses of the fall and ask them to provide a written statement of what they saw before and during the incident. Finally, if you can locate the manager or owner of the property on-site, alert them of the incident and your injuries and document their contact information.
How Ownership Impacts The Statute Of Limitations
The Statute of Limitations dictates how long you have to file your claim with the court system. In California, most personal injury and premises liability cases allot two years from the date of the injury to file the matter with the court. However, if the property owner is a government entity, such as the city, state, or federal government, the time limit drops to only six months from the day of the incident. So if you tripped and fell in a federal courthouse, a municipal library, or the town police station, your claim must be filed with the court no more than six months after the date of the incident.
How Long Does A Fall Due To Broken Tile Lawsuit Take?
As shocking as it might sound, all legal matters are slightly different at the very least and possibly quite unique. So there is no way to provide an accurate estimate of the time required to complete your lawsuit. However, knowing that time can be critical when you are waiting for the settlement or verdict owed to you to pay medical expenses and other bills, filling as quickly as possible can be very advantageous. But regardless of when you file, it is essential to contact the experts at Normandie Law Firm as soon as possible after your injury. The staff will help you understand what information must be gathered and when is the best time to file your case to ensure the best outcome possible.
What Is The Potential Value Of My Fall Due To Broken Tile Lawsuit?
The value is likely to be the most unique aspect of any lawsuit. Typically, the value is determined by the expenses and losses of the victim. In the case of your trip and fall due to broken tile lawsuit, some of the typical costs included could be:
- Your current and future medical bills for treatment of the injuries
- Your legal fees for the case
- The value of any damaged personal property
- Your lost wages if you could not work while recovering and for time missed to attend doctor’s appointments
- In some cases, a dollar amount can be added to cover your pain and suffering due to the injuries you sustained
The Benefits Of Working With Normandie Law Firm
The staff at Normandie Law Firm is focused on meeting the individual needs of each client whose case we handle. We understand that some are focused on time while others are more worried about getting the money they need to cover all their bills and expenses. And others are simply overwhelmed by the complexities of the legal system and processes of getting their matter ready for court. But rest assured, whatever is important to you or creates questions and added concern will be handled seamlessly by our staff of experts.
In addition, our policy is never to get paid for our services until we have delivered the settlement or verdict that our client deserves. So you will never be asked to pay upfront legal fees. Instead, you will be able to use the part of your compensation earmarked for your legal fees to pay for our services. And you owe us nothing if we fail to win your case. So please get in touch with Normandie Law Firm today to discuss your fall due to broken tile injuries and the potential to file a fall due to broken tile lawsuit.
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