Can Mindfulness Help You Avoid Slip-and-Fall Accidents?
Slips and falls are a major cause of injury and death in the United States. There are many things that can contribute to a slip or fall, from cleaning materials to a leaking roof. However, a recent study indicates that practicing mindfulness may enable us to better avoid these dangers. The idea is that by being present and alert, we will be more aware of and able to avoid things like spills and debris. The study found that a person’s mental state was often a good indicator of whether they were susceptible to suffering a slip or fall. Individuals who were fatigued, stressed, distracted, or rushing, were far more likely to slip or fall. However, in real life, it’s not always possible to be completely present and aware. Additionally, the onus for avoiding falls is not on the individual, but on the property owner.
Liability for Slip-and-Falls
If you have been injured due to a slip or fall that was caused by another’s negligence, you do not have to suffer alone. You have options. If a party was negligent or reckless and it caused injury, they are legally responsible for the harm. If you have been injured in a slip or fall accident, you can bring a personal injury lawsuit to recover damages. A successful personal injury lawsuit aims to put you back in the position you would have been in had the injury never occurred.
The Benefits of Bringing a Personal Injury Lawsuit
If you were injured due to a slip or fall, you likely have significant medical bills. Your injury may also have required you to miss work, or even prevented you from performing your job role effectively. A personal injury lawsuit will allow you to recover for those expenses and lost wages. Additionally, it allows you to recover for non-tangible expenses like pain and suffering.
Legal Benefits of Mindfulness
South Carolina is a comparative negligence state, which means that the actions of both parties are considered when determining fault. In order to have standing to bring a claim, a party must be less than 50% responsible for their own injury. Their ultimate damages award will be reduced by a percentage proportionate to their amount of fault. For instance, if someone was talking on their phone, distracted, and didn’t see a “wet floor” sign, and subsequently slipped on the wet floor, the court would then have to assess the fault of both parties. If the court found that the individual’s distraction contributed 30% to the accident happening, the individual’s damages award would then be reduced by 30%. This is where mindfulness becomes beneficial legally, because the more mindful someone is, the less likely they are to contribute in any way to their own harm. So, while it’s not always possible to avoid harm, it’s at least possible to maximize your damages award.
Speak to a Personal Injury Attorney
If you have suffered an injury as the result of a slip or fall that was caused by someone else’s negligence or recklessness, the Charleston personal injury lawyers at the Gus Anastopoulo Law Firm are here to help. Schedule a free consultation today and find out how.
Resource:
safestart.com/news/3-big-causes-slips-trips-and-falls/
