How to Prevent Slip and Fall Accidents
“Slip and fall” is a term used to describe an accident where someone slipped or tripped and was injured on property that is owned or managed by someone else. It’s the responsibility of the property owner or manager to keep the property safe.
If you fall and injure yourself, the financial consequences of your fall could be huge. Medical bills quickly pile up, and you may lose your source of income if you’re unable to work due to your injuries.
Every slip and fall case has its fair share of challenges that you must overcome in order to be successful. A knowledgeable slip and fall lawyer can help you develop a comprehensive strategy to give you the best chance of overcoming those obstacles. For help with your personal injury case, contact an Atlanta personal injury lawyer at Graham Scofield Injury Lawyers at (404) 939-9470 to schedule a free case consultation.
Conditions Leading to Slip and Fall Accidents
A slip and fall accident typically occurs as the result of dangerous conditions on property that you’re visiting as a guest. For instance, there may be clear liquid on the floor, unstable steps on a stairwell, or broken concrete outside the store entrance. You might be injured at a business, public property, or private home. If you’re injured at a residence, the landlord or owner of the property may also be held liable for any injuries you suffered as a result of their negligence.
Responsibility of Slip and Fall Accident Prevention
If you are injured after slipping and falling on someone else’s property, the owner or property manager may be legally responsible for your injuries. Property owners have a duty to make their properties safe for guests. Part of this duty includes discovering and eliminating any dangerous conditions. A property owner or manager can be held liable for a slip and fall if they reasonably should have known the dangerous condition existed, if they actually knew the hazardous condition existed, or if they created the dangerous condition themselves. Additionally, if an employee working on the property causes a slip and fall accident, such as by not mopping the floor, the owner or manager may be held liable for their employee’s actions.
Would a Reasonable Person Have Prevented Your Slip and Fall?
An owner or property manager can be held responsible for your slip and fall injury if they should have known about the existence of the dangerous condition that caused your injuries. The standard is whether a reasonable individual in the same situation would have known of its existence. In general, an owner or employee should reasonably have known about dangerous conditions that existed for an extended period.
Did the Owner Know About the Conditions Causing the Slip and Fall?
A property owner is also responsible for a slip and fall if they actually knew of dangerous conditions on their property and did nothing to fix them. Did the owner or employees walk by the rusty stairwell every day without ordering repairs? Did they fail to post warning signs, or otherwise notify you about the possible dangers? If so, they have not fulfilled their duty of care, and they are responsible for any injuries you incurred as a result of the fall.
Did the Owner Cause or Create Dangerous Conditions?
Property owners have a responsibility to prevent unsafe conditions that arise through their own actions as well. For example, imagine that an employee spills their coffee and doesn’t clean it up. If someone slips on the coffee spill and falls, the owner of the property could be held responsible for any injuries resulting from that fall.
Questions About Slip and Fall Accident Prevention? Call Us Today
When you visit a business or residence, the owner of that property has a duty to reasonably provide a safe environment. A slip and fall accident is an indication they have not fulfilled that responsibility. You should not be held responsible for an accident that was not your fault. An experienced premises liability attorney from Graham Scofield Injury Lawyers will thoroughly evaluate your potential case so that you understand all of the challenges that you must overcome in order to be successful. Contact us today at (404) 939-9470 to schedule a case consultation.