Day: December 28, 2019

Slip and fall accidents are one of the most common and most expensive reasons for personal injury claims. Victims usually suffer from minor injuries to serious damages that leave them temporarily or permanently disabled. Injury costs can be very high due to surgeries,special equipment and braces,medications and rehabilitation. However,if a claim is made from the company towards the responsible party and they win,the victim could be forced to cover all of the expenses. For this reason it is really important to know the main causes of these type of accidents and be aware of them.

Situations that can cause an accident

Knowing the most common causes of these accidents can help a person stay safe,as well as business owners,workplaces or the owner of a public space to avoid an expensive premises liability claim.

• Wet or uneven spaces. They include all floors that have spills that are not cleaned immediately,pavements that present irregularities on their surfaces without warning signs,lack of carpets or rugs on stairs,recently waxed,sloped or non-slip floors,potholes in parking lots,floors with grease splatters or other liquids,etc.
• Environmental conditions. Among the risks due to an accident we can mention: snow accumulation,leaves or debris on floors,accumulation of garbage or objects,poor lighting that makes it difficult to see surfaces,changes in the type of floors (in material),etc.
• Unsafe stairs. All places with several levels must have the appropriate stairs. Some of the causes of accidents can be: lack of handrails or the fact of not using them,running,jumping or stomping,debris,objects or garbage on the steps,waxed or polished stairs without non-slip surfaces,etc.
• Lack of training and equipment. This occurs mainly in companies,when workers are not provided with the appropriate equipment or when they are not given information for their use. All employees,mainly in high-risk industries,must be properly trained to use the necessary tools and equipment. The main cause of these accidents is improper use or lack of footwear.
• Negligence in retirement homes. The elderly are the most likely to suffer falls with very serious consequences,since over time their bones tend to be weaker and their balance more unstable. In these places the care in the floors and spaces must be greater.
• Fraud. Although it is of less occurrence (3 percent according to the NFSI),it is a reality that occurs. When the person sets the stage for the accident to occur,for example,pouring a liquid or an oil in a supermarket and in this way simulate the incident. Another way is when the person crashed somewhere else but pretends he was at work.

Needless to say,if you suffered an accident of this nature and had injuries or even a surgery,you should speak to a personal injury lawyer. They can help you get compensation to cover your medical expenses,in the case that it is the company’s fault or an act of negligence.

Statistical data indicates that for the first doctor consulted by the patient,the medical condition is correctly diagnosed in only 12% of the cases. Often the doctor may tell the patient that there is no serious health problem or incorrectly diagnose the health problem. Many illnesses have similar symptoms,and inexperienced or incompetent doctors may diagnose the wrong illness. Due to medical misdiagnosis patients may die or suffer permanent injuries,disability due to lack of proper medical care,incorrect medical treatment or delayed medical treatment. Incorrect diagnosis is one of the most common medical mistakes and results in the death of millions of patients worldwide annually.

Though patients who do not provide adequate medical information to the doctor,may be partly responsible for the wrong diagnosis,usually careless,inexperienced or dishonest doctors are responsible for not diagnosing the health problem correctly. Due to incorrect diagnosis of the illness,the patient will be advised the wrong treatment like incorrect medicines,diet,surgery or other methods to correct the health problem. Only when the health condition will worsen or remain the same,the patient may go the same doctor again or visit another doctor for a second opinion.

Doctors can correctly diagnose the medical condition of their patient if they have the relevant experience,knowledge and all necessary information. Patients should be aware that they will not be able to initiate a personal injury case against the doctor just because the doctor does not diagnose the illness correctly since there is no injury to the patient immediately. However if the incorrect diagnosis of the patient will cause permanent injury or death,the patient or a family member can initiate a case of medical practice against the doctor to get compensation for the losses.

Since a large number of patients worldwide die due to medical mistakes,it is important for the patient or his family member to keep proper medical records of the diagnosis of the doctor and treatment suggested,especially for serious illnesses. If the misdiagnosis results in permanent injury to the patient,the doctor can also be sued for the financial losses suffered by the patient. The compensation which the patient or his family will get due to the incorrect diagnosis depends on the education,experience,skills of the patient,whether the illness or medical condition was fatal and other factors. It is also important to consult an experienced medical malpractice attorney specializing in medical malpractice to get the compensation the patient deserves.