Slip and Fall Accidents in Hospitals
When you go to the hospital, you expect to receive treatment for conditions you already have. You don’t expect to slip and fall because of the negligence of the providers who are there to help you heal. If you were receiving treatment during a fall in a hospital, you may have a premises liability case against the hospital and other at-fault parties. Here is what you should know about these types of cases.
Causes of Slip and Falls in Hospitals
Slips, trips, and falls can be caused by various reasons. Patients or visitors could be hurt when hospitals negligently maintain their properties. Some of the most common reasons for slips and falls in hospitals include:
- Slippery floors after cleaning or disinfecting the floor
- Liquid spills that are not quickly cleaned up
- Unrepaired or poorly maintained floors
- Narrow stairways
- Lack of proper lighting
- Debris left on the floor
- Carts or trays left in the walkways
- Medical mistakes that cause nerve damage
- Failure to accurately assess fall risk upon admission
- Failure to provide nursing assistance to someone who just got out of surgery or has mobility issues
- Prescription of medications that cause dizziness or that adversely react with other medications the patient is taking
If your slip and fall accident in a hospital was due to medical malpractice or negligence, I can review your claim and determine your right to pursue compensation from the at-fault parties.
Injuries or Complications from a Slip and Fall in a Hospital
Some of the injuries that patients or visitors may suffer after slips and falls in a hospital include:
- Broken bones
- Back and neck injuries
- Soft tissue injuries
- Sprains, strains, contusions, or lacerations
Additionally, if you were injured while receiving treatment at the hospital, a fall could cause you to suffer complications. A wound could become disinfected, you could start bleeding, or you could suffer aggravating injuries.
Who Is Responsible If I Slip and Fall in a Hospital?
Hospitals are expected to provide care to patients within the accepted standard of care that does not harm them. If they fail to uphold this standard and create conditions that could harm the patient – such as prescribing the wrong medication or failing to properly monitor patients – they can be held responsible for resulting falls. Additionally, they owe a duty to anyone on their property to maintain the premises in a safe condition that does not injure visitors.
In some cases, independent contractors, vendors, or third parties might be responsible for the fall.
An experienced Colorado Springs slip and fall attorney can give you a better sense of who the at-fault parties are in your case after you explain the circumstances surrounding the accident that injured you. You can contact Jeffrey Scott Lasswell, PC for a free case review.
What to Do If You Slip and Fall in a Hospital
If you slip and fall in a hospital, taking these steps can help you protect your right to pursue a claim for compensation:
- Take pictures of what caused your fall since the conditions could quickly be cleaned up or disappear
- Ask witnesses who observed the accident for their contact information
- Alert the hospital to your fall
- Seek immediate medical treatment for your injuries
And, finally, don’t hesitate to contact my firm, Jeffrey Scott Lasswell, PC, for a free case review.
I am a knowledgeable Colorado Springs slip and fall lawyer who has extensive experience in personal injury law. Before I became a plaintiff’s attorney, I used to represent insurance companies, so I know what to expect from the other side. Since I run a single-attorney firm, I can give more focus to each client. Call me today to get started with your claim. Together, we can help hold the negligent party responsible for your injuries.