Slip and fall incidents are serious causes of personal injury and every year they injure millions of Americans. A percent of those involved in slip and fall incidents end up with serious disabilities.
A business owner or a property owner has the responsibility to use reasonable care in the maintenance of their property, as well as to notify and/or warn visitors to the property of any hazard that exists that may cause someone to fall on their premises. Consequently, a business or property owner is responsible for an accident that occurs on their premises when they are negligent in failing to reasonably maintain their property or to adequately warn visitors of things on their premises which would cause someone to hurt themselves.
A slip and fall incident generally falls into one of two categories, either a slip and fall or a trip and fall. Both of these occur due to the negligence of the property owner and/or the occupant of the premises. A slip and fall typically occurs when there is a slippery or improper floor surface that causes someone to slip and fall. Some common examples are wet tile, marble flooring, waxed floors and liquids or other substances left on the floor causing someone to slip and fall while walking.
A trip and fall incident occurs when there is an object extending into a walking space, inadequate lighting, an elevated sidewalk or other structural defect which causes someone to fall.
If you or a loved one suffers a slip and fall or trip and fall, you should immediately:
- Seek medical attention for your injuries.
- Obtain the names and telephone numbers of all eyewitnesses, including customers, employees, managers and others.
- Report the incident to the store manager to document the incident. GET A COPY OF THE INCIDENT REPORT, if one was completed. Many times, the property owner will deny that a person fell on their premises, claim they were not hurt, or concoct a variety of other excuses. The incident report, if accurate, can prevent the owner from avoiding liability.
- Take photographs of the scene of the incident.
- Do not give any written or recorded statements until you have first consulted with an experienced personal injury lawyer.
- Do not sign any releases or accept any payments until you have first consulted with an experienced personal injury lawyer.
