Did you know that a property owner might be liable if you’re injured on their premises? A slip and fall is a type of personal injury case where a party is injured on another person’s property due to circumstances that the owner could have prevented. It’s called a “slip and fall” because often the damage is caused when a person falls by tripping or slipping, due to some hazard in the vicinity.
What Cases Might Be Considered a Slip and Fall?
Slip and fall cases can be difficult to prove because there needs to be evidence that the property owner is at fault. If you could have foreseen the accident or you tripped without any hazard involved, a property owner might not be found liable.
Essentially, you have to prove that the property owner was partially responsible for your accident. To do this, you’ll need to show that the property owner was aware of a hazardous condition and failed to correct it or that they caused the hazardous condition. Some examples of cases that might fall under this type of personal injury include:
- Weather Issues – Water, ice, or snow can cause hazardous conditions around the entryway of a building and on a person’s property. While the property owner can’t be found liable for acts of nature, they may be liable if they didn’t take precautions to warn visitors of icy conditions or properly maintain the area.
- Spills – Property owners are responsible for cleaning any spill that can pose a risk. If you were to slip because someone spilled liquid that wasn’t cleaned up promptly, that could well be the fault of the property owner.
- Hazardous Conditions – If there are conditions on the property that can easily cause a hazard, the property owner can be held liable for the injury. This might include cables that pose a tripping hazard, poor flooring, uneven steps, or other issues that might easily cause someone to lose balance or trip.
Were You Injured in a Slip and Fall or a Trip and Fall Incident?
If you were injured in a slip and fall or trip and fall incident on someone else’s property, there are some things to be aware of immediately. Anything you say to the property owner, verbally or in writing, can be used to negate your case. If possible, it’s best not to say anything at all to the owner about the incident. There are also statutes of limitations to seek damages, so it’s important to contact an attorney as soon as possible.
If you’ve been injured in a slip and fall injury, contact Ginnis and Krathen, PA today to discuss your case. We have a great deal of experience with these kinds of cases and our boutique law firm specializes in one-on-one care for each client so you get the representation you need.