Depending on how quickly your fall occurs, your body releases a surge of adrenaline when you first start to lose control and you begin to panic. Once the fall is underway, your body braces for impact by tensing your muscles and extending your arms or legs. While your body does its best to help cushion the impact, your brain prepares itself for the neurological and physiological reactions that are about to occur.
If your fall results in serious injuries, your brain may take drastic measures to shield you from additional suffering.
Research from the Nursing Times details several chemical reactions that occur when your body is subjected to significant trauma, including:
- Overriding your nervous system to reduce the sensitivity and activation of nerve endings
- Releasing organic opioids and neurotransmitters to help block the transfer of pain signals, such as noradrenaline, gamma-aminobutyric acid, serotonin, and neurotensin
- Releasing specialized chemicals to negotiate with pain signals, ideally preventing pain from spreading or worsening. These chemicals include serotonin, substance P, prostaglandin, bradykinin, and histamine.
Slip and Fall Injuries can Have Serious Effects
Slip and fall injuries are extremely serious, potentially leading to permanent mental or physical disabilities. These hardships do not even account for the substantial medical bills, lost wages, and mental suffering that can follow such a fall. Although some victims may be fortunate enough to walk away from their slip and fall accident with only a few bumps and bruises, these accidents commonly cause life-altering injuries, including irreversible brain damage, paralysis, and death.
Research from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) gives more perspective on the devastating potential of fall accidents:
- Approximately 20% of falls cause serious injuries, including broken bones or head injuries
- Over 95% of hip fractures are caused by slip and fall accidents
- Falls are the number-one cause of traumatic brain injuries
- Every year, fall injuries send 3 million older people to the emergency department
- Fall injuries result in over 800,000 hospitalizations each year, commonly for head injuries or hip fractures
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Various Types of Negligence Lead to Slip and Fall Accidents
Although every case is somewhat unique, most slip and fall accidents are caused by the negligence of property owners, construction companies, third-party contractors, restaurant owners, cleaning companies, and grocery store owners.
Common acts of negligence include:
- Improper railings, or a lack of railings
- Defective products
- Unattended garbage or spilled liquids
- Recently mopped floors with no warning signs
- Unsteady floorboards
- Loose cables or misplaced chairs
- Neglecting to warn visitors about foreseeable dangers
- Poorly maintained staircases
- Nails sticking out from flooring, porches, staircases, or scaffolding
- Slick surfaces from rain or snow.
Compensation is Available if You Are Injured on Public Property
As a member of the general public, you may be able to receive compensation if you were negligently injured while visiting a public property. However, your behavior and your legal right to be on the property may affect your eligibility for compensation.
Ultimately, Georgia law states that property owners owe a duty of care to their visitors if they fall under two categories:
- Invitees: As described under O.C.G.A §51-3-1, invitees are people who were directly invited to the property, or received an implied invitation. This includes visitors to public properties.
- Licensees: In accordance with O.C.G.A §51-3-2, licensees are generally regarded as acquaintances or friends of the property owner who would have reasonable cause to visit the property. Additionally, licensees can include individuals who visited the property to fulfill their professional obligations.
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Georgia Slip and Fall Lawyers Ready to Fight for Your Case
Bader Scott Injury Lawyers have represented countless slip and fall victims across the state of Georgia. If you are worried about what happens to your body when you slip and fall, you do not have to go through this alone.
Our attorneys can help document the extent of your physical, mental, and financial suffering. In doing so, we hope to assign a monetary value to your case that truly represents the pain and suffering you have had to endure.
At the end of the day, we can help represent your fight for justice throughout your entire proceedings. That includes representing your case at trial, negotiating settlements, gathering evidence, and more.
Lastly, you should keep in mind that O.C.G.A §9-3-33 assigns a two-year statute of limitations on slip and fall claims in Georgia. If you fail to file a claim within this time frame, the court may prevent you from recovering damages.
To get started with your free consultation today, contact a Bader Scott Injury Lawyers representative at (404) 888-8888.
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