Can Poor Lighting Lead to Slip and Falls?
Good lighting makes it easier for pedestrians to avoid potential hazards. If you have been hurt in a slip and fall, you will be able to receive a free consultation with a slip and fall lawyer at Philly Slip and Fall Guys. Here is more information on how poor lighting can lead to slip and fall accidents:
Food or Water Spills
Slip and fall accidents happen when individuals lose traction with the floor. Food or liquid spills create a slippery area where it is easier to fall. Inadequate lighting in a mall, gym, grocery store, or other type of public building can make it more challenging to see spills, especially water spills. This can raise the chances of a slip and fall accident.
Premises liability states that property owners have the responsibility of keeping their premises in good condition to help visitors stay safe. This duty of care includes cleaning up spills and placing warning signs if needed. Lightbulb replacement, light fixture repair, and necessary upgrades are also part of a property owner’s responsibilities. Having adequate lighting in a building allows visitors to spot and move around spills that property managers or staff may not be aware of yet.
If you fall due to a spill, take photos of the hazard, the surrounding conditions, and your injuries. Make sure to accurately depict the lighting conditions. Ask any available witnesses for their contact information, and seek medical attention as soon as possible. Bring the photos, witness information, and medical records to your consultation with a slip and fall lawyer. These pictures serve as evidence for your case and help your lawyer determine who is able to be held liable for your fall.
Ice and Snow
Icy and snowy conditions create slip and fall hazards on sidewalks, parking lots, parks, and building entrances and exits. Ice can be hard to see, and black ice blends in with the sidewalk and roads. A lack of external lighting, such as streetlamps, makes walking on snowy or icy sidewalks even more difficult.
Property owners are responsible for maintaining the sidewalk in front of their home or business. This includes timely snow removal. A failure to remove snow in the amount of time determined by the natural accumulation rule may result in the property owner or maintenance company being held liable for accidents. The city or state can also be held liable for slips and falls that occur on public property or sidewalks. If there was a failure to provide proper lighting maintenance, this may also factor into your case. If your fall occurred on city property, Philly Slip and Fall Guys will help you with meeting claim-related deadlines. This includes filing a notice of claim with the city.
Damaged Carpet and Flooring
Carpeted flooring becomes slippery in spots as it wears out or becomes thinner. Damaged tile flooring also creates an uneven surface. Dimmer lighting in a hallway, lobby, or elevator makes it harder to see the flooring condition and exercise the proper precautions, especially if there are no signs or tape to warn visitors of the hazard or block it off. If you slip on damaged flooring in your apartment building, review your lease to see what the landlord’s maintenance responsibilities are. This helps show what they are able to be held liable for. Bring a copy of your lease to your consultation with your lawyer.
Dimly Lit Stairways
Damaged or icy stairs form slip hazards. A lack of lighting in underground parking or transportation areas also makes it easier to miss steps. When you walk up or down a shadowy set of stairs, make sure to hold on to the railing and move slowly if needed. Watch your feet to help prevent a fall.
Even if you are partially at fault for the fall, Pennsylvania’s comparative negligence act allows you to receive compensation from the responsible party’s insurance company. If you hold less than 50% of the responsibility for the fall, you may be awarded partial compensation. An attorney from Philly Slip and Fall Guys will help calculate this percentage and estimate the amount you are entitled to. This amount helps cover medical bills and lost wages. It can also help with noneconomic factors. These include losing the ability to play sports or other activities.
Contact a Slip and Fall Lawyer Today
We are experienced in personal injury and premises liability law. Our lawyers at Philly Slip and Fall Guys will talk with the insurance company for you. We will also negotiate with them to help you receive fair compensation. If the company does not offer adequate compensation, we provide the option of settling the case in court through a lawsuit. To schedule your meeting with a slip and fall lawyer, we invite you to fill out our online form or give us a call today.
