Can I File a Claim if I Have Been Injured in a Slip-and-Fall Accident in a Hospital?

Hospitals are full of potential slipping hazards. At any given moment, the slick floors could be covered in hazardous liquids, or even pose a risk to unsuspecting visitors due to the frequent cleanings. For instance, if a maintenance staff were to forget to position a “Wet Floor” sign near a recently mopped area, guests are at risk of becoming injured in a fall. If you have recently been injured due to slipping and falling on a hospital floor, you have legal recourse to file a claim for your sustained injuries. Here’s how to go about doing so. 

Frequent Causes of Slip-and-Fall Incidents in Hospitals

Of course, the scenario that is most likely to result in the injury of a hospital visitor is that of falling on a recently mopped floor. When custodial staff or other individuals finish cleaning portions of the hospital, they are legally required to post warning signs in the area to alert guests to the present danger. Of course, if this or other responsibilities are neglected, they are guilty of committing one or both of the following offenses:

• Negligence: This is when the hospital staff are aware of, or had the opportunity to gain awareness of, a present danger, but fail to resolve the matter. Whether the hospital staff spilled the liquid or other substance or object that compromised the guests’ safety does not matter. The removal of the hazard from the facility, regardless of its origin, is their duty alone. The most common instances that constitute negligence include:
  • Poor lighting
  • Spilled liquid
  • Unattended electrical wiring and cords
  • Broken guard rails in stairways
  • Lack of “Wet Floor” signs in slippery areas
• Malpractice: If the fall compromised the standard of medical care you received at the facility or was the result of suboptimal care, you have the right to file a medical malpractice claim. For instance, if your physician issued a misdiagnosis that inaccurately assessed your walking ability, they are liable for malpractice.

In either scenario, the hospital must be held accountable for your injuries. Filing a claim is the best way to get the compensation you need to receive the proper medical attention in your recovery and ensure that the hospital takes responsibility.

Filing a Claim for Your Injuries

Under the premises liability statute, you have the right to pursue legal action after slipping and falling on someone else’s property. To ensure your case gets the legal attention it deserves, you must take the following steps to build a strong, effective claim:

1. Report the incident hospital authorities immediately.
2. Collect all evidence of the scene. This entails taking photos of the hazard that caused your fall,  recording the events that transpired before the incident, and any injuries that you sustained as a result. 
3. Collect witness’ personal contact information. 
4. Seek evaluation from a medical professional.
5. Hire legal assistance. 

It can be challenging to file a lawsuit against a hospital after a slip-and-fall incident. The healthcare corporation may be backed by powerful insurance companies that will likely be unwilling to provide a payout for your rightful compensation. However, with the support of an experienced lawyer and thorough collection of evidence, your claim will be irrefutable. Get in touch with a lawyer to open your case today.