You may have decided to take the backyard path to the pot luck dinner your neighbor is hosting. This is the fastest route, and you are carrying a heavy bowl of fruit. You have gone this way often during the day, but this is your first nighttime excursion, and you trip over a shovel someone left on the path. The result is a painful ankle injury and fruit all over the place. Now premises liability comes to mind. You may ask, “Is my neighbor liable for my ankle injury?”
Types of slip-and-fall injuries
If you only came away with an injured ankle, you are fortunate. You might have sustained a head trauma or even a spinal cord injury. Either one would require immediate medical care and the possibility of ongoing therapy. A slip-and-fall accident could also cause serious cuts or abrasions as well as soft tissue injuries, which, if left untreated, can lead to chronic pain.
Where slips and falls usually happen
A common problem is debris left in an area where you can easily walk into it. You might slip on a patch of wet flooring that has not been properly marked after cleaning. You also have to be careful about uneven surfaces, such as the concrete in sidewalks or worn places in wooden steps. A construction zone is another place where you could easily trip and fall because of uneven ground or equipment that is in the way, especially if you are unfamiliar with the area.
Dealing with less than neighborly concern
Perhaps it turns out that your ankle injury is worse than you suspected: You have a fracture and your foot is now in a cast. Your neighbor seemed more concerned with the spilled bowl of fruit than with your injury, and given your sudden medical bills, you wonder whether you have a case against her for premises liability.
If you find yourself asking “Is my neighbor liable for my ankle injury,” know there are statutes of limitations in play, so you should reach out as soon as possible for legal assistance. Choose a caring, experienced personal injury attorney who will fight for your rights and the compensation you deserve.
