Generally speaking, property owners (for example, a grocery store) have a duty to keep their land and building safe for visitors. When property owners are negligent in the maintenance, repair, and upkeep of their property, an innocent person can suffer devastating injuries.
When someone is injured from a slip and fall accident while on someone else’s property, the owner of the property may be liable for the injuries. These types of personal injury accidents are typically considered a premise liability case.
Common Premises Liability Cases
In a premises liability case, some legal principles you may need to prove include, the property owner failed to maintain the property, created unsafe conditions which were the cause of the injury, or knew about the unsafe hazard but failed to alert you of the fact, and/or purposely took actions that resulted in neglected conditions that caused the injuries. Some of the more common causes of slip and fall injuries arise from:
- Snow or water left on walkways
- Uneven sidewalks
- Potholes
- Insufficient security
- Faulty and/or poorly lit staircases
- Defective sidewalks
- Building code violations
- Slippery tiling
- Unbalanced flooring
- Ripped carpeting
- Use of shoddy materials/poor construction
- Spills and/or obstructions on floors or walkways
What to Do After a Slip and Fall Accident
If you become injured due to the result of a business establishment or a property owner failing to provide a safe environment, you may have the right to bring a claim for various damages that you have incurred as a result of your injuries. Damages may include both economic and noneconomic damages. If you are involved in a slip and fall accident, here are some things that may assist you in protecting your case:
- Get the names of the owners and managers of the property
- Write the names and contact information of all witnesses
- Use a camera or your cellphone to take pictures of the accident area and your injuries
- Save the clothing and shoes you were wearing at the time of the accident
- Seek medical attention immediately
- Avoid making any statements concerning the accident and do not talk to any insurance adjusters until you have contacted your personal injury lawyer
The severity of injuries resulting from a slip and fall accident can vary. Injuries range from bruises, scrapes and broken bones that require minimal medical treatment to catastrophic injuries, such as a spinal cord injury, brain injury and/or burn injuries, all of which may result in lifelong damages and ongoing medical care. If you have been injured in a slip and fall accident, it is essential that you contact a personal injury lawyer as soon as possible to determine your eligibility for filing a personal injury claim.
