Slip & Fall
Slips and falls cause thousands of injuries a year, some of which are quite serious. One misstep on a slippery floor or broken step can land an unawares victim in a wheelchair. A stumble over a manhole cover, or other obstacle, can cause anything from a broken leg to permanent spinal cord injury. These and similar slip and fall accidents have long-lasting consequences.
Premises liability law governs slip and fall accidents and determines who is at fault for them. Every premises liability case is evaluated on an individual basis and considers whether or not the property owner took precautions to make the area safe, as well as whether or not you were careless, thereby contributing to the accident. For example, a restauranteur is not necessarily liable should you fall on a wet floor in the restroom if the area was clearly marked with a yellow "caution" sign.
Premises liability is a complex area of law. Therefore it is important to consult with a qualified personal injury attorney in order to protect your legal rights. To help determine who is to blame for your slip and fall injury, try asking yourself the following questions:
- If you slipped on a spill in a mall, had it been there long enough that the property owner should have been aware of it?
- Has the property owner instituted a standard cleaning/maintenance schedule for the premises, and if so, can he offer proof? If, for example, you tripped over a stack of boxes beside a shelf in a grocery store, was there a good reason for them to have been on the floor instead of the shelf? Could they have been safely and conveniently placed elsewhere?
- Could the slip and fall accident have been prevented had there been a proper barrier or warning sign?
- Was the slip and fall accident caused, at least in part, by poor or dim lighting?
- Did you have a valid reason for being at the site of the slip and fall accident?
- Were you paying full attention at the time of the slip and fall accident?
- Was the area properly labeled?
- Would a reasonable person have been able to avoid the slip and fall accident?
Do you have a case involving premises liability due to a slip and fall accident?
Please contact me at 619-232-3200 for a free case evaluation.