Slip-and-Fall While Visiting the Hospital
Visiting a loved one in the hospital can do them considerable good and may aid their recovery. If you fall in the process, however, you end up in a very precarious position. This is an instance when you shouldn’t delay consulting with an experienced slip-and-fall attorney at Matthews Injury Law in Tampa, FL.
The Hospital Owes You a Duty of Care
When you visit a patient in the hospital, you are a guest of the medical facility. This means you are owed a significant duty of care, requiring the hospital to take the necessary precautions to help ensure your safe passage.
Employing Reasonable Efforts to Protect You and Other Visitors
If the hospital failed to take the precautionary measures that other medical facilities would have under similar circumstances, it could support a claim for a hospital fall. The primary concern with these claims is demonstrating that the hospital did not employ the same reasonable efforts as other reasonable hospitals would have. This translates to negligence.
Warning Guests of Risk Factors
If the slipping risk isn’t immediately resolvable, the hospital is responsible for effectively warning guests about the safety concern. The yellow CAUTION tent signs used to mark spills and freshly washed floors are a good example of a common warning technique employed by commercial enterprises, including hospitals.
Common Fall Hazards in Hospitals
Every case involving a hospital fall is specific to the circumstances involved. There are, however, some common fall hazards that are often involved, including:
- Overly polished and, therefore, slippery flooring
- Wet flooring caused by frequent mopping
- Inadequate lighting
- Faulty elevators or escalators
- Stairwells that lack the necessary safety features, including adequate lighting, sturdy rails on both sides, and flooring that allows decent traction
- Entryways that become slippery from moisture and debris dragged in from the outside.
Your Hospital Fall Claim
A knowledgeable hospital fall lawyer can build a strong claim on your behalf that will help to ensure you’ll be fairly compensated for all your covered losses, including:
- Your medical expenses, which may extend into the future
- Your lost income, which may need to address losses that relate to career development
- Your physical pain and emotional duress, which can be immense
The surest way to bolster your recovery is to work closely with a reputable hospital fall attorney.
Turn to an Experienced Tampa Hospital Fall Lawyer for the Help You Need
When you head to the hospital to visit a friend or loved one, being hurt in the process may be the last thing on your mind. The truth is, however, that dangerous falls in hospitals are more common than you may realize. Our capable Tampa hospital fall attorneys at Matthews Injury Law dedicate our imposing practice to helping clients recover from their full range of losses, and we’re here for you, too. Learn more by contacting us online or by calling 813-530-1000 today.