Slip and falls are the leading cause of brain injuries in the United States, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Suffering a traumatic brain injury can lead to serious and life changing consequences, including migraines, reduced mental capacity, degenerative brain disease, and dizziness. If you sustained a traumatic brain injury, you may be eligible for compensation. Conditions that are likely to lead to a slip and fall accident include:
- Wet or slippery floors
- Power cords
- Inadequate lighting
- Loose carpeting or floorboards
Complications Due to Traumatic Brain Injuries
In addition to migraines, reduced mental capacity, and dizziness, traumatic brain injuries also may cause:
- Comas
- Brain death
- Seizures
- Blood vessel damage
- Communication problems
- Behavioral changes
Virginia Laws Regarding Slip and Fall Victims
Virginia laws place slip and fall victims into three different categories depending on what their relationship is to the owner of the premises:
- Trespassers: When an adult is trespassing on someone else’s property, they are not given a high duty of care by the owner. However, if the owner knows that trespasser, they are obligated to exercise ordinary care toward them.
- Licensees: Licensees have the right to be on an owner’s property. However, them being on the property does not serve a purpose to the owner. The owner has a responsibility to exercise reasonable care to make any unsafe conditions safe for the licensee. Failure to warn a licensee about unsafe conditions may lead to the owner being held liable for any injuries that person receives.
- Invitees: Invitees have been invited inside or onto the premises by the owner. In this case, the owner has a duty to keep the premises in reasonably safe conditions. Failure to do this may lead to the owner being held responsible for any injuries an individual receives. For a property owner to be held responsible for an injury, it must be shown that the owner knew about the unsafe property conditions. It must also be proven that the conditions were unsafe long enough for the owner to have known.
What is the Injured Party’s Responsibility?
If the injured party was invited onto a property, under Virginia laws, they are responsible for watching where they are walking and for noting any unsafe conditions. If they do not do this, they may not receive any damages at all under the contributory negligence rule.
Virginia Beach Brain Injury Lawyers Represent Clients Who Sustained Traumatic Brain Injuries
A traumatic brain injury can cause lifelong damage. If you received a brain injury from a slip and fall, contact one of our experienced Virginia Beach brain injury lawyers today. At East Coast Trial Lawyers, we will fight tirelessly to obtain the compensation you deserve for your injuries. For a free consultation, contact us online or call us at 757-352-2237. Located in Virginia Beach, Virginia, we represent clients throughout Chesapeake, Eastern Shores, Hampton, Newport News, Norfolk, Portsmouth, and Suffolk, as well as North Carolina and nationwide.