The Hidden Dangers of Defective Doors: Understanding the Risks and Seeking Compensation for Door-Related Injuries
When we enter a building, we expect to be safe from harm. Unfortunately, that’s not always the case. One of the most common ways people get injured in buildings is through defective doors or entrances. These injuries can be serious and even life-threatening and can happen to anyone at any time.
If you’ve suffered a door injury due to a defective door or entrance, it’s important to know that you have legal rights. You may be entitled to compensation for your injuries and other losses. In this article, we’ll explore the different types of injuries that can occur due to defective doors or entrances, and what you should do if you’ve been injured.
Types of Door Injuries
There are a variety of injuries that can occur due to defective doors or entrances. Some of the most common include:
- Cuts and bruises: These can happen if a door is sharp or if it’s not properly secured.
- Crush injuries from automatic door accidents: Automatic sliding doors or revolving doors can be particularly dangerous if the door malfunctions and closes on someone causing them to fall or become crushed inside the doorway.
- Fractures and broken bones: If someone gets caught in a closing door, they can suffer serious injuries like fractures or broken bones.
- Dislocations: If a door incorrectly closes on someone, they often lose their balance and fall down. As a result, one may suffer from a dislocated hip, dislocated shoulder, etc.
- Head injuries: If a door falls off its hinges or is improperly secured, it can hit someone in the head and cause a concussion or other head injury.
What to Do if You’ve Been Injured
If you’ve been injured due to a defective door or entrance, there are several steps you should take:
- Seek medical attention: Your health should be your top priority. Make sure you get medical attention right away, even if you don’t think your injuries are serious. This might include calling an ambulance if you feel you might not be safe to drive yourself to the hospital.
- Document the incident: Take pictures of the defective door or entrance that caused your injuries, as well as any visible injuries you sustained. If you are in a retail store, ask that they fill out an incident report including the names of other shoppers or employees who witnessed your injury.
- Contact an attorney: A personal injury attorney can help you determine whether you have a case and what your legal options are. They can also help you navigate the legal process and negotiate with the responsible party’s insurance company.
- File a claim: Depending on the circumstances of your injury, you may be able to file a claim for compensation. This can include medical expenses, lost wages, pain and suffering, and other damages.
Preventing Injuries
To prevent injuries from defective doors or entrances, it’s important for building owners and managers to regularly inspect and maintain their doors and entrances. This includes:
- Making sure automatic doors are properly installed and maintained.
- Ensuring that doors are properly secured and do not pose a hazard.
- Regularly inspecting doors for damage or wear and tear.
Legal Assistance from Crosby & Crosby Law
If you’ve been injured due to a defective door or entrance, you have legal options, and we urge injured parties to contact the experienced personal injury attorneys in Rockford at Crosby & Crosby Law to learn more about your rights and how you can seek compensation for your injuries and losses.
Personal injury is one of the areas of specialty at our law firm, and we would be glad to provide an initial free case consultation to examine your personal injury case and consider the most effective legal strategy going forward.
Please do not delay. Contact the law offices of Crosby & Crosby in Rockford, Illinois today to schedule your free consultation with our personal injury attorneys.
