From snow-packed and icy sidewalks to wet flooring or a broken step, on a weekly or even daily basis, the average person is likely to encounter numerous slip-and-fall hazards. It’s not surprising then that slip-and-fall accidents are among the most common of all types of accidents. Depending on the specific circumstances involved, injuries that may result from these types of accidents can range from painful contusions to broken bones and traumatic brain injuries.
In cases where a slip-and-fall accident results due to the negligent acts of another party, it’s important to explore your legal options. Expenses related to medical treatments, lost wages and disability are among the types of damages for which you may be able to recover compensation. An attorney who handles premise liability and slip-and-fall cases can assess your case and help determine if it makes sense to pursue legal action.
Because of the complex circumstances that are often involved in slip-and-fall cases, it can be difficult to prove that a home, property or business owner was negligent in causing or contributing to your injuries. In general, at least one of the following conditions must be met in order to triumph in a slip-and-fall case.
- A property owner or his or her employee caused the dangerous condition
- Any reasonable person would have identified a condition as being dangerous and therefore a property owner or his or her employee should have known about and took steps to remedy the dangerous condition
- A property owner or his or her employee knew about, yet failed to do anything to remedy the dangerous condition
Factors that may affect the outcome of a case include the length of time that the dangerous condition existed, why it existed and the regular upkeep and maintenance activities of a property or business owner. These factors must also be weighed against the degree to which your own actions or carelessness may have contributed to the accident.
Depending on the severity of a fall and an individual’s overall physical health, a slip-and-fall accident can leave an individual suffering tremendous pain and permanent disabling injuries. It’s wise, therefore, to discuss the specific circumstances of a case with an attorney today.
Source: FindLaw, “Proving fault in slip and fall accidents,” Feb. 19, 2016
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