Hawk Law Group | June 9, 2022 | Personal Injury

Slip and fall. Trip and fall. People commonly use these terms interchangeably to describe some personal injury accidents where someone gets hurt. These accidents account for nearly one-fifth of all work-related deaths.

While it might seem like there’s a distinction without a difference, these two terms have different legal meanings. Speak with a skilled personal injury lawyer today to learn more about your options if you experience one of these accidents.

Slip and Fall

A slip and fall accident happens when you walk on a slippery surface that causes you to lose your balance and fall over. This may happen on a rainy sidewalk, a restaurant floor where someone recently spilled a drink, or a recently waxed floor.

When you slip on a surface, it usually catches you by surprise. You think you’ll have more grip than you actually do, which is why these accidents often happen without warning.

People who slip and fall usually fall backward, causing injuries to their rear side and head. Some of the most common slip and fall injuries include:

These accidents can happen just about anywhere and they can happen to anyone. Depending on the circumstances, you might be able to receive compensation if there was negligence involved.

Trip and Fall

A trip and fall accident happens when you trip over an object and cannot support yourself, resulting in an injury. The biggest difference between a slip and fall is that when you trip and fall, you usually fall forward. Examples include:

  • Tripping on a curb
  • Tripping on uneven steps
  • Tripping over power cords
  • Tripping over objects left on the floor

Because trip and fall accidents cause someone to fall forward, the resulting injuries can be different from a slip and fall. One of the most common injuries is broken bones, specifically hand and wrist bones, as the person braces themselves out in front of them.

Other injuries include:

  • Neck injuries
  • Concussions
  • Cuts
  • Ankle injuries
  • Sprains and strains

Tripping and falling can sound like a simple accident that you can get up and walk away from. But it’s often much more serious than that, especially on hard surfaces. This is why it’s vital that you take your legal options seriously.

Timeline to File Your Claim

After a slip or trip and fall injury, you’re probably not thinking about a lawsuit. The only thing on your mind is your physical recovery and getting back to your regular life. However, it’s crucial that you take swift action.

Every state limits the amount of time you have to file a personal injury claim for damages. South Carolina law limits your time to just three years via its statute of limitations. 

This may seem like a long time, but consider that the longer you wait, the more likely it is that evidence of your accident goes missing and any witnesses will forget what they saw. To give yourself and your legal team the best chance possible, you need to act quickly.

Speak with a Personal Injury Lawyer Today

Considering that people slip or trip and fall all the time, you may not consider that someone else is to blame for your injuries. If you can prove that someone else’s negligence caused your injuries, you may be able to hold them liable and seek compensation from them. To help you understand your rights and take action, contact Hawk Law Group.

For more information, please contact the personal injury lawyers at Hawk Law Group at our nearest location to schedule a free consultation today.
We serve throughout the Central Savannah River Area and it’s surrounding areas:

Hawk Law Group – Augusta, GA
338 Telfair St, Augusta, GA 30901, United States
(706) 722-3500

Hawk Law Group – Evans, GA
4384 River Watch Pkwy, Evans, GA 30809, United States
(706) 863-6500

Hawk Law Group – Thomson, GA
146 Railroad St A, Thomson, GA 30824, United States
(706) 361-0350

Hawk Law Group – Waynesboro, GA
827 Liberty St, Waynesboro, GA 30830, United States
(706) 437-9122

Hawk Law Group – Aiken County, SC
156 Laurens St NW, Aiken, SC 29801, United States
(803) 226-9089

We also serve in Edgefield County, SC.