The winter months bring a variety of unwanted conditions, with frigid temperatures and dangerous terrain making it difficult to complete daily tasks. One thing is for sure, Maryland weather is one for the books. With consistently changing temperatures and unpredictable snow and ice, snowstorms can easily become hazardous. While it is the responsibility of businesses to ensure that their employees and customers remain safe, the potential for slip and fall accidents increases during the winter months.
If you have been seriously injured due to the negligence of an employer or business, the Maryland personal injury attorneys at Bienstock Law are here to assist you. Below, our team provides an overview of common slip and fall accidents, safety tips for the winter months and assistance on how to move forward with litigation after suffering serious injury from a slip and fall accident.
Common Dangers of Slip and Fall Accidents in Maryland
Slip and fall accidents most commonly occur during the winter months, and can cause severe physical and mental damage. According to the Center for Disease Control (CDC), one in five falls causes serious injuries such as broken bones or head injuries. Additionally, falls are the most common cause of traumatic brain injuries, or TBI’s. TBI-related injuries can cause loss of consciousness, pain and long-term memory loss if severe enough, and if you happen to be taking blood thinners, your chance of suffering from a TBI during a fall increases as well. The winter months are excessively dangerous, leading to over 42,000 injuries per year in the workplace because of snow, sleet, or ice.
Not only do slip and fall accidents cause immediate physical or mental damage, but they may have lasting effects that prevent you from participating in daily activities. For example, if you suffered a slip and fall accident in a parking garage of a business and suffer from a TBI and multiple broken bones, you may not be able to work for a significant period of time while you heal. In turn, your financial and physical livelihood suffer, leaving you to pick up the pieces because of the negligence of another business. If you suffer from a slip and fall accident, it is vital that you receive medical treatment immediately. Be sure to obtain bills and the extensive medical records of your time at the hospital emergency room or doctor’s office, as this will be beneficial in presenting your personal injury case should you choose to move forward with litigation.
Safety Tips to Help You Avoid Severe Injury in Slip and Fall Accidents
While there is no certain way to prevent slip and fall accidents from occurring, there are many steps you can take to keep safe during these frigid winter months. First, be sure to contact your employer during and after a snowstorm to ensure that they have taken the necessary precautions to remove snow or ice near your workplace. Additionally, investing in appropriate apparel such as snow boots and a thick winter jacket can help you stay balanced and cushion you in the event that you fall. Be sure to avoid carrying excessive baggage or equipment when walking to not affect your balance, and test potentially icy surfaces by carefully placing your foot on the area before walking through.
During this time, many individuals are working from home. In the winter months, if your workplace allows, consider adjusting or increasing your work from home schedule during snowy or icy days to avoid the chance of a slip and fall accident happening. As always, if you do suffer from a slip and fall accident, be sure to contact a legal representative immediately, such as those at Bienstock Law, so that we can provide additional assistance and resources during this time of need.
Seek Assistance With the Maryland Personal Injury Attorneys at Bienstock Law
When involved in an accident that results in serious injury, it can be frightening, jarring and confusing to know where to turn next. Your daily life has suddenly been impacted by the negligence of another business, causing you to suffer financially, physically and mentally. Slip and fall accidents can occur throughout the year, but during the winter months, snow and ice play a dangerous role in the increase of serious injury. If you have suffered from a serious injury such as a TBI, paralysis or broken bones from a slip and fall accident, know that you have a team of advocates on your side with the attorneys at Bienstock Law. Contact our Rockville team by clicking here: https://bienstocklegal.com/contact-us/