Slip and Fall accidents are the results of a person being exposed to a hazard on a property. These kinds of accidents usually happen when a person slips or trips and falls, sometimes resulting in serious injuries that could lead to disability and even death. Most slip and fall accidents usually happen at home, while some happen at public places such as sidewalks and streets. There are three things you should know about Slip and Fall accidents if you’re considering legal action.
1. Getting Legal Representation
There are several laws that both property owners and visitors have to follow. One of them is the “duty of care” from property owners, which requires them to keep their properties safe for their customers or visitors. When they fail to do so, slip and fall accidents could happen. In these cases, property owners can be held liable with the help of a lawyer. If you`re not sure where to start with your claim, you can contact the attorneys at Manjot Hallen and get an opinion before you decide whether there is enough evidence to file a claim. A personal injury lawyer or an attorney can help with your case if you are planning on taking legal action.
Filing for Compensation
If you have suffered injuries in a slip and fall accident, filing for compensation is the next thing to do after getting legal representation. You may claim compensation for medical expenses, pain and suffering, personal injury damages, loss of wages or earning capacity, and other related expenses. You can also file a claim for punitive damages when the circumstances surrounding your accident were considered to be malicious.
2. Getting Evidence
The second thing you should know about slip and fall accidents is that you need evidence to prove that someone else’s negligence caused your injuries. When a fall accident happens because there was a dangerous condition on someone else’s property, they should be responsible for your injuries. This is the only way to prove that someone should have been responsible for maintaining their property safely and to provide it with the necessary precautions to prevent injuries from happening. Injuries caused by falls are often hard to prove, especially when many other people visit the same location. It’s also hard to pinpoint who is responsible for certain injuries. Another important aspect here is to prove that your injuries are connected to the accident. If you don’t have enough evidence, it may look like your injury happened for another reason which could easily nullify your case. For example, bruises on your arm can be from falling in a public building because there was no sign that it was slippery, or someone hit you.
3. Common Types of Premises Liability Accidents
Slip and Fall accidents can happen in any type of property, whether it be commercial or residential. However, there are some common types of premises liability accidents where slip and fall accidents are also common. These include:
Stairway Accidents
These accidents happen when there is a dangerous condition that causes someone to slip or trip on stairs, resulting in injuries. This can be prevented by installing non-skid treads on stairs and placing warning signs at the top and bottom of staircases.
Falling Objects
Accidents caused by falling objects are often caused by improper storage or a lack of proper safety mechanisms. When a visitor is injured because they were struck on the head by an object, it’s important to prove that the property owner was responsible for preventing such accidents from happening. The types of objects most likely to fall and hit someone on the head include:
- Iron beams and ceiling parts
- Construction materials such as bricks and tiles, and
- Indoor and outdoor plants.
Slippery Floors, Walkways, and Aisles
These kinds of accidents usually happen when a floor has been improperly cleaned or protected from hazardous substances. Other conditions that can lead to slippery floors are spilled water, loose mats, and broken floor tiles.
Slip and Fall Accidents in Public Places
Accidents caused by slip and fall accidents in public places are often the most complicated of all premises liability cases. It is difficult to determine who exactly is responsible for the accident because many people have been involved in maintaining the property. If you slipped on ice on public property and the duty of the city was to get rid of the ice, the city may be responsible for your injuries. If the sidewalk was poorly maintained because it is owned by a private person or business, then they may be responsible for your injuries.
Slip and Fall accidents happen unexpectedly, but you can recover damages to compensate you for your injuries if someone else is responsible for what happened to you. The legal process may be complicated, especially considering that other factors such as the type of property where you got your injuries may affect your claim. This is why it is important to get legal help from a personal injury lawyer who specializes in premises liability cases.