In the 21st century, at a time when rapid changes in culture and civilization seem to be reaching a breakneck speed, there is more and more talk in North America of mindfulness and taking it slow. If there is a connection between mindfulness and personal injury law, it is this: be as mindful as you can to avoid injuries and helping others to avoid injuries – then, if you are injured, you’ll know you’ve done everything in your power to avoid and you can guiltlessly claim your compensation.
In a world where everyone moves so fast and is always rushing from one place to the next, it is no surprise that injuries from slip and fall, motor vehicle accidents and workplace mishaps are extremely common. Statistically, there are always going to be some regrettable accidents in the world on a day to day basis, however, we are currently seeing an unacceptable number of injuries resulting from negligent and completely avoidable situations.
On the Goodman Elbassiouni LLP blog today, we’re going to look at mindful preventative methods for avoiding accidents in the three categories that we typically work in: property negligence, car accidents and work accidents.
Protect Yourself (And Others): Make Sure Your Property Is Safe
If you own a residential or commercial property, be sure to do the maintenance work to make it safe for residents, customers and passersby. This involves not only shovelling and salting the walks in winter, it also means fixing potholes, making sure that all areas are well lit, that stairs are stable and that hand-rails are installed. When you’re young and nimble footed it’s hard to imagine how difficult it can be for the older generations to get up and down stairs. Similarly, you may forget how wobbly toddlers are. If you’re an able bodied property owner, try and keep this in mind to avoid accidents and liability.
Arrive Alive: Winter Tires, Sobriety and and a Watchful Eye
If driving on the highways through the Canadian winter wasn’t so commonplace, we’d award medals of bravery for this feat. When the lines designating the lanes disappear and the road is swallowed up in a swirling blizzard, it takes a deep focus to stay calm and pilot your vehicle safely. Winter accidents on the 401 and the 400 north are extremely common. Not only will they push your insurance premium up, a winter accident could also cost you your life if you are not properly prepared. It is also advisable to keep a watchful eye on the road at night, since some folks regrettably choose to drive when they’ve had a few drinks. It goes without saying that you should never drink and drive, under any circumstances.
On The Job? Protect Yourself (And Others)
As experienced workers compensation lawyers in Toronto, we’ve seen all nature of negligence in the workplace, from your basic ladder mishaps to tragic accidents involving large scale machinery. From our experiences, we’ll say this: most of the time someone is hurt at work, it’s because someone either wasn’t paying attention, or someone cut corners to save themselves a bit of extra work. Vigilance on the job is key, and when people start to slack off, they put themselves and others at risk.
The first line of defence should always be vigilance and mindfulness. Failing that, hire yourself and experienced slip and fall lawyer in Toronto and claim your rightful compensation. If you’ve been injured, call us today!
