Common Causes Of Slip And Falls At A Business
When you enter the property of a business of any kind, you likely have certain expectations. You may expect to speak with a company representative or even make a purchase. What you don’t expect is to be involved in a slip and fall accident that ultimately results in serious injuries.
Common Causes Of Slip And Fall Accidents At A Business
The following are the top causes of slip and fall accidents in any business:
Spilled Liquids
Leaks, spilled drinks, or even just water brought in on shoes on a rainy day can all create wet spots that someone may slip on. It’s the duty of a property owner to provide anti-slip products such as rugs and to place wet floor signs in any areas where a liquid has accumulated. It’s also the duty of the property owner to clean up any significant accumulation so that slip and fall accidents can be avoided.
Snow And Ice
Winter weather is a leading cause of slip and fall accidents. While no one can control the weather, each state and county has rules about how quickly snow and ice must be cleared from walkways and parking lots once the storm has ended.
Broken Sidewalks
It’s normal for cracks to appear in sidewalks overtime but as soon as the are becomes uneven property owners should have it repaired.
Potholes
Just like sidewalks, parking lots tend to have areas that crack and sink as the earth settles. These potholes should be fixed so that visitors don’t trip and fall.
Poor Lighting
Not everyone has excellent night vision and property owners need to carefully consider the lighting in areas that are regularly traversed by visitors during night hours.
Unsecured Carpeting/ Flooring
Carpeting that isn’t properly attached can roll up and easily become a hazard, as can floorboards.
Wiring
With so many electronic tools available for every company, wires are commonly visible to visitors. However, wires need to be secured as best as possible and overlays used for areas where wiring must travel across a pathway.
If you were injured in a slip and fall accident, you may be owed significant compensation that could provide the funds needed to pay for all medical bills and lost wages. But premises liability claims are notoriously difficult to prove and without an attorney, a client is unlikely to succeed.
Why Is The Property Owner Saying The Fall Is My Fault?
One of the most common and effective ways for property owners to defend themselves against slip and fall allegations is to shift the blame to the victim.
While you are responsible for keeping a proper lookout, this doesn’t detract from the fact that a property owner is responsible for maintaining a safe environment. If it can be shown that the property owner knew, or should have known about the hazard that caused your fall, then you are likely eligible to file a lawsuit.
How Much Is A Slip And Fall Lawsuit Worth?
No two plaintiffs will recover the same amount because the compensation that can be obtained through a slip and fall lawsuit is supposed to pay for all actual losses. This being said, until our experienced slip and fall attorneys review your case we cannot estimate how much you could be owed.
How Long Do I Have To File A Lawsuit?
The amount of time you have to file a legal complaint depends on the property on which you fell. If your fall was on a government property the timeline to file will likely be very short. You can learn more about the statute of limitations in your case by contacting our law firm.
