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Suffering a broken or fractured bone in a slip and fall accident can be a painful and shocking experience that not only impacts your health but also your ability to earn a living. At Zbinden & Curtis Attorneys At Law, we understand the physical and emotional strain these injuries put on you and your family. With our experienced and compassionate approach, we can help you navigate through this challenging time and secure the compensation and justice you rightfully deserve.
In this article, we’ll explore how to pursue a personal injury compensation claim that resulted from a slip and fall accident in Oregon. We’ll cover the types of fractures that are common in slip and fall incidents, the factors that influence the compensation amounts, and the challenges you might face during the legal process. If you’ve been the victim of a slip and fall accident in Oregon, and it resulted in a broken or fractured bone, call our Portland office today.
Understanding the Impact of Fractured Bones from Slip and Fall Accidents
Fractures resulting from slip and fall incidents can range from simple breaks, which may heal within a few weeks, to complex fractures that require surgery and rehabilitation. In Oregon, slip and fall accidents are a leading cause of emergency room visits, and thousands of people suffer significant injuries every year. Common types of fractures in these accidents include broken wrists, ankles, elbows, hips, and legs, each with its own challenges and recovery times that can negatively impact both your personal and professional lives.
Under Oregon law, particularly the Oregon Revised Statutes (ORS) 31.600, property owners are required to maintain safe environments to prevent slip and fall injuries. Failure to comply with these laws can cause property owners to be held liable for negligence, particularly if it can be shown that an unsafe condition was known and not addressed. These laws hold property owners and managers responsible for ensuring public safety. They can also significantly influence the outcome of personal injury compensation claims for slip and fall injuries that happen on their property.
These types of injuries not only cause immediate physical pain but often lead to long-term health issues, such as decreased mobility or chronic pain. Also, the financial costs of medical bills, combined with the wages you lost while missing work, can make the whole situation feel overwhelming. However, understanding your legal rights and the options available to you for compensation is the first step towards regaining control and recovering successfully.
Factors Influencing Compensation for Broken Bones in Oregon
When you’re seeking compensation for a broken bone from a slip and fall accident in Oregon, several factors can significantly affect the outcome of your case:
- Medical Expenses: The cost of treating a fracture can quickly add up. Emergency room visits, surgeries, medications, and physical therapy sessions can all contribute to an astonishingly large bill. It’s important to keep a detailed record of all these expenses because they not only support your claim, they ensure that the court considers your financial recovery along with your physical recovery.
- Lost Wages: If your broken bone or fracture keeps you out of work, the financial impact can be immediate and severe. Compensation for lost wages is meant to cover the money you’ve missed out on while recovering, but it can also include future earnings if your ability to work is impacted in the long term.
- Pain and Suffering: This part of your claim acknowledges the pain and emotional distress the injury has caused you. The amount of compensation for pain and suffering can vary greatly, but it’s influenced by the severity of your injury and the impact on your daily life.
- Long-Term Impacts: A severe fracture might lead to ongoing health problems like arthritis, chronic pain, or mobility issues. When settling your claim, it’s important to consider these long-term effects. Your compensation should reflect the full impact the injury has had on your life, including future therapy treatments or medical equipment that you’ll need later.
Challenges in Securing Fair Compensation
Handling the legal aspects of a slip and fall claim can be confusing and exhausting, especially when you are already dealing with the stress of an injury. One of the main challenges you’ll face is proving negligence on the part of the property owner or manager. This means you must demonstrate that they had a responsibility to keep their property safe, that they failed to do so, and that their negligence directly led to your injury. Successfully proving these points requires gathering solid evidence, such as surveillance footage, witness statements, and sometimes even expert testimony, to explain the accident conditions or the extent of your injuries.
Another significant hurdle is dealing with the insurance companies. These companies often dispute claims in order to minimize their financial responsibility. They might challenge the severity of your injury or argue that your injury was related to pre-existing conditions rather than the accident. This is where having an experienced personal injury attorney becomes so important. A skilled slip and fall lawyer from Zbinden & Curtis Attorneys At Law can help you navigate the legal challenges, counter the tactics used by insurers, and help you receive a personal injury compensation amount that reflects the true impact of your injury.
How Zbinden & Curtis Attorneys At Law Can Help
At Zbinden & Curtis, we understand the physical, emotional, and financial toll that a broken or fractured bone from a slip and fall accident can cause. We have decades of experience in personal injury law in Portland, Oregon, and we’re dedicated to helping our clients achieve the maximum compensation possible for their cases. We handle every aspect of your claim by helping you gather evidence, present your claim, and negotiate with insurance companies on your behalf.
If you or a loved one has suffered a fracture in a slip and fall accident, do not wait to seek legal assistance. Contact Zbinden & Curtis at (503) 287-5000 today and let us help you recover from this challenging time and receive the compensation you deserve.
