A hospital is there to help you when you have been injured, so it probably should not be a source of injuries. However, people get injured in hospitals all of the time, and we are not just talking about medical errors. Another common source of injuries in hospitals is slip and fall accidents. If you fall while you are at a hospital, you may be eligible to pursue compensation. Our Westchester County slip and fall accident attorneys can help you figure out if you have a case.
What Are Some Common Causes of Falls in Hospitals?
When you enter a hospital, you expect the premises to be safe. Patients, visitors, and anyone else invited onto the property can expect that the building is free of hazards that can cause them harm. However, sometimes a hospital ends up being dangerous due to neglect and hazards that have not been addressed. Common dangers include:
- Wet floors
- Cracked and damaged sidewalks
- Crumbling stairs
- Stairwells without handrails
- Hazards or debris left in walkways
Any of these can cause a slip and fall accident along with potentially serious injuries. A hospital needs to be kept as safe as possible for everyone just like any other business or property does.
Is it Medical Malpractice If I’m Hurt in a Hospital?
Usually, your case against the hospital would be considered a premises liability case. A fall would not be considered medical malpractice just because it happened at a medical facility. Instead, your case would be treated similarly to a fall at a supermarket or another place of business.
Now, if you were a patient who fell down and a medical error may have contributed to that fall, then that is another story. Our lawyers can take a closer look at the situation to determine how to approach your case.
What Should I Do After Slipping in a Hospital?
After falling at a hospital, you should take some steps to begin building a personal injury case. We recommend that you:
- Take pictures of the accident scene and the hazard that caused your fall
- Report the accident to the hospital
- Talk to any witnesses and get their contact info
Then get the medical care that you need. This should be easy considering you are already at the hospital. Then it’s time to think about contacting an attorney.
How Can a Personal Injury Attorney Help Me?
You can pursue a case on your own, but an experienced personal injury attorney from our firm can do a lot to help you with your case. They can answer your questions, handle the paperwork, and defend you from any accusations of wrongdoing. Then they will work to hold all liable parties accountable and secure the best possible compensation offer.
Schedule Your Consultation Today
If you think that you have a personal injury case to pursue, contact Hausman & Pendzick. We can schedule a consultation and take a closer look at your case. Then we can help you fight for the compensation that you deserve.