
Slip and fall accidents are among the most common in the United States. On a daily basis, many people are victims of negligent or irresponsible landlords and tenants. These accidents can cause serious injury or even death. Most slip and fall accidents are attributed to negligence or lack of safety in the workplace. Statistics show that a large proportion of accidents are caused by unsafe conditions that should have been prevented.
What Could Be The Cause of a Slip and Fall Accident?
Slip and fall accidents happen for many reasons. Here are some of the conditions that mostly led to this type of accident:
- Spilled liquids
- Freshly mopped floors
- Uneven surfaces
- Change in floor covering
- Poor lighting
- Narrow stairs
- Inadequate handrails on stairs
- Steps placed without proper warning
- Poorly constructed stairs
- Oil or sand deposits in the soil
- Very polished floors
- Freshly waxed soil
Occasionally, a combination of these factors can contribute to a slip and fall injury. It is even possible that the landlord or tenant was partially negligent and that the victim also shares some of the blame. Determining the exact circumstances of the injury requires thorough research and a high degree of knowledge on the subject. That is why it is advisable to consult a personal injury lawyer specialized in local liability when you suffer a slip and fall accident.
The Factors Involved
Factors that increase slip and fall hazards and cause accidents include lack of warning about slippery floors, lack of barriers in unsafe spaces, broken ladders, debris on surfaces, among others. Therefore, to help prevent these accidents, employers must take action to prevent them.
The International Labor Organisation recommends:
- Prevent floors from remaining wet, obstructed by objects, or contaminated.
- Clean surfaces to avoid excessive accumulation of snow or ice during the winter.
- Repairing pipes and cleaning dripping wet surfaces.
- Prevent workers from entering spaces where the floor is wet due to repairs or after scrubbing until they are completely dry.
- Identify potential trip or slip hazards, such as uneven or uneven floors and loose cables.
- Ensure that all workers wear footwear suitable for the environment in which they will be operating.
- Constantly monitor spaces, especially those most prone to slip and fall accidents.
Working With A Personal Injury Lawyer
If you have suffered a broken bone, wrist sprain, sprained spine, or traumatic brain injury, then you should consult with an attorney who handles personal injury liability cases. It may be that the property owner is partially or fully responsible for your injuries. Determining the fault isn’t always easy. It takes the experience and knowledge of an experienced attorney to decide whether or not the property owner has any liability.
Public establishments such as shops, restaurants, and hotels have an obligation to provide a safe and hazard-free environment for their customers. If they fail to comply with this duty, then they may be liable for slip and fall claims. This is especially true if the property owner or tenant is aware of an existing hazard that he has not addressed and of which he does not warn his clients. Even private owners have a similar obligation to their visitors.
The Attorney
An attorney also has to prove that the property owner did not act reasonably under the law. This means that the owner breached his obligations, which resulted in an individual being injured. It is also possible that the building owner has violated local building codes and regulations. Again, it would be wise to consult with a personal injury law firm to determine whether or not this applies to your case.