Suffering an ankle injury after a slip-and-fall accident

If an Illinois business fails to properly maintain its property or minimize hazards that may be found on the property, a person who injuries an ankle while visiting the premises could hold the business financially responsible. Because ankle injuries can be severe, the injured person could need extensive medical treatment.

The ankle joint is comprised of a number of different components that all work together to provide stability and mobility. The three bones in the ankle include the heel, called the talus, and the fibula and tibia, the two bones that make up the lower leg. Tendons and ligaments keep the ankle stable and allows the joint to flex and move. The synovium, or the joint capsule, cushions the bones to prevent damage while the joint is in motion.

There are several different types of ankle injuries a person who slips and falls can incur. For example, a person could trip and break one or multiple bones. Sprains or strains could limit a person’s mobility depending on the severity of the injury. A person could also risk tearing a tendon or ligament, which could result in a lengthy recovery time. If the slip-and-fall accident was severe, a person could even suffer multiple types of ankle injuries all at once.

In order for an injured person to recover damages caused by a slip-and-fall accident, the person must demonstrate that the property owner was negligent. In Illinois, for example, a property owner may not be held liable if a dangerous property condition is “open and obvious”, meaning a person can reasonably avoid the hazard. A premises liability attorney could demonstrate that the hazard that resulted in the person’s injury was not open or obvious, meaning the injured person could seek compensation for medical costs and pain and suffering.