Slip and fall accidents are one of the most common personal injury claims in and around the Greater Toronto Area. These accidents can happen any time of year, anywhere in the city. Whether someone is walking down a snowy sidewalk, slipping on a wet grocery store floor, or a poorly maintained staircase, the consequences for people hurt in a slip-and-fall accident can be severe, ranging from broken bones to long-term disability. If you have been injured in a slip and fall accident, it’s important to understand your legal rights and how having an experienced slip and fall lawyer in Toronto represent your claim can significantly impact you getting justice and compensation for your injuries.
Slip and Fall Accidents in Toronto
Slip and fall incidents are common and can happen to anyone. According to the Canadian Institute for Health Information (CIHI), falls are the leading cause of hospitalizations due to injuries in Canada. These types of injuries are so prevalent that 34% of all injury-related admissions are due to slip and fall accidents. In Ontario alone, thousands of individuals are hospitalized each year due to fall-related injuries.
In Ontario, falls are a significant concern for injuries across various age groups and settings.
In Toronto, slip and fall injuries can happen at any time of year. While they do increase in winter due to ice and slippery conditions, they are also common during other seasons and affect Torontonians of all ages and backgrounds.
In Toronto, where icy winters, heavy pedestrian traffic, and aging infrastructure intersect, the risk of slip-and-fall accidents increases significantly. This means that slip and fall accidents can occur anywhere, from Yorkdale to the CNE to Sankofa Square.
It is important to note that property owners, whether residential, commercial, or municipal, have a legal responsibility to maintain their premises in a reasonably safe
condition.
Common Causes of Slip and Fall Accidents
There are numerous ways people are hurt in slip and fall accidents. Some of the most common causes include icy or unmaintained sidewalks and driveways, wet or slippery floors indoors in businesses, uneven pavement or broken stairs (or stairways without handles), poor lighting in public or private areas, and spills or obstructions in walkways that have not been cleaned up.
Regardless of the cause, if your injury was caused by someone else’s negligence, you may be entitled to compensation.
What Should You Do After a Slip and Fall Accident?
If you’ve been injured in a slip and fall, taking the right steps immediately after the incident is essential:
First, seek medical attention. Your health is the top priority and when you are seriously injured, seeing a doctor is paramount. Some injuries, like concussions or soft tissue damage, may not be immediately apparent. So regardless of your symptoms after the injury, seek medical attention as soon as possible.
Second, document the scene. Take photographs of the area where you fell, including any hazards that contributed to the accident. Look for any signs of negligence by the property owner or maintenance crew. Was it slippery? Was the lighting acceptable? Was the rug/carpet flat and in good condition? Look for any reasons for your fall.
Gather witness information. If anyone saw the fall, collect their contact details. Check to see if the location had any video recordings of the incident. The more documentation, the better.
Report the incident – Notify the property owner, manager, or relevant authority and ensure that a written record of the event and its surrounding circumstances is maintained.
Consult a Toronto-based slip and fall lawyer. Consulting with an experienced personal injury lawyer who specializes in slip and fall accidents will enable you to focus on recovering from your injuries rather than pursuing justice and compensation. A Toronto-based firm like Bergel Magence can fight on your behalf, help you get proper medical care, and will greatly increase your odds of getting justice for your injury.
Understanding Liability: Who Is Responsible?
In Ontario, liability for slip and fall accidents typically falls under the Occupiers’ Liability Act. This legislation requires property owners and occupiers (including tenants and businesses) to ensure that their premises are reasonably safe for anyone entering the property.
To establish liability, your lawyer must prove that a hazard existed on the premises, the occupier was aware of or should have been aware of the risk, the occupier failed to take reasonable steps to address it, and this failure directly caused your injuries.
Slip and fall injuries require documentation and investigation to prove that negligence occurred and that the injured person is entitled to compensation for their injuries.
What Compensation Can an Injured Person Receive?
If your slip and fall claim is successful, you may be entitled to compensation for medical expenses (including future care costs), lost income and diminished earning capacity, pain and suffering and certain out-of-pocket expenses (e.g., transportation to medical appointments).
In some cases, family members may also be entitled to compensation under Ontario’s Family Law Act if the injury has impacted their lives.
What are the Time Limits for Filing a Claim?
Ontario has strict time limits for initiating a slip-and-fall claim. In most cases, you must file a lawsuit within two years of the date of the accident. If your fall occurred on municipal property, such as a city sidewalk, you must provide written notice to the municipality within 10 days of the incident. Failing to meet these deadlines can jeopardize your case.
Why Choose Bergel Magence?
Bergel Magence Personal Injury Lawyers is a Toronto-based law firm with over 50 years of
compensation they deserve. Our legal team of experts understands what is necessary to fight on your behalf and secure the justice you deserve.
Our firm has been recognized as a multi-year Toronto Star Readers’ Choice Award Winner for Best Personal Injury Law Firm, a testament to our commitment to delivering exceptional client service and achieving outstanding results.
When you choose Bergel Magence, you gain access to a law firm with over 50 years of experience, making us one of Toronto’s most established personal injury law firms. Bergel Magence will also meet with you for a no-charge consultation upfront. Moreover, there are no legal fees unless we win your case. Lastly, we have a proven track record of success, having
Speak to a Toronto Slip and Fall Lawyer Today
Slip and fall accidents can have long-lasting physical, emotional, and financial consequences. If you’ve been injured, don’t face the legal system alone. Call Bergel Magence Personal Injury Lawyers at 416-665-2000 or visit www.
