Filing A Claim After A Slippery Flight Of Stairs Causes A Fractured Ankle
Posted on: 5 April 2023
Share
Even though stairs are used almost daily, they can be surprisingly dangerous. If you slip down the stairs, you might sprain or even fracture your ankle. It can take a while to fully recover from the injury, especially if you have injured your ankle before. However, depending on why you fell down the stairs, you might be entitled to compensation for your injuries.
Duty of Care for a Building Owner
A building owner is responsible for making sure that the building is safe. This includes maintaining the stairs so that they aren't unreasonably slippery. Stairs can become very dangerous if they are not well-maintained and if a leak causes the stairs to become very wet.
For example, the building might have a roof leak that has yet to be repaired for an extended period. The water drips through the ceiling and causes the stairs to become wet. If the stairs also are not well-lit, you might not notice that they're slippery and dangerous.
Fracturing your Ankle After a Slip and Fall Accident
After you have slipped and fallen, you might fracture your ankle. This can lead to several weeks of recovery as you wait for the bone to heal. You might need surgery. Also, even after the bone has fully healed, the ligaments surrounding the fractured bone can take even longer. Your ankle might be permanently weaker as a result of the accident.
Because a fractured ankle can severely limit your mobility, you might be unable to work because you should not walk on your ankle until it fully recovers. This can make it difficult to pay your bills. However, a personal injury attorney might be able to help, and you will simply need to schedule a free consultation.
What to Expect During a Personal Injury Consultation
During the consultation, you will be asked how the accident occurred, what injuries you experienced afterward, whether you received treatment, and where the accident occurred. Your attorney will help you predict the value of your claim and whether you are likely to settle with the building owner. However, they will need more information to make the determination.
To obtain more information, your attorney will investigate the accident scene. If you took pictures of the stairs, this would be very helpful. Also, if anyone witnessed the accident or there was surveillance footage that captured your fall, this could help your attorney determine if you might win your case and will also help when arguing that the building owner was negligent.
For more information, contact a local company like Lake Munro, LLC.