Chances are, you’ve seen a wet floor sign at a store or other property before. Seeing these signs gives you a clue of how slip and fall accidents could occur.
“Slip and fall” is the terminology used to describe an accident. It particularly refers to personal injury cases where a person is injured as a result of slipping and falling on another person’s property. Injuries that result from slip and fall accidents are often costly. The Center for Disease Control and Prevention estimates average medical bills for such incidents could be as high as $30,000.
If you’ve been injured in a slip and fall accident, you need to know what your rights are. You also need to know what steps you should take under the law. Read on, and we’ll cover what you need to know about slip and fall cases.
When Is a Property Owner Liable?
Slip and falls can happen for a variety of reasons. There is no exact way to determine when someone else is liable for your injuries.
Legal cases for slip and fall incidences often center around whether the property owner has taken necessary steps to make their property reasonably safe for those entering it. Just as important is your own caution in moving through the property and whether you exhibited careless behavior that may have contributed to your injuries.
Slip and fall cases are usually won by the defendant proving that the property owner was aware of a dangerous condition that resulted in a slip and fall incident. Some examples of common dangerous conditions are unmarked wet floors, torn carpeting, poor lighting, or narrow stairs.
The property owner must have created the condition, been aware of it, and neglected to fix it if they are to be liable in a court of law. Accidents caused by one’s own carelessness will not hold up in a trial.
Proving Negligence
In order to win a slip and fall case, an experienced lawyer will need to provide evidence. The evidence will need to indicate that the injuries to the victim occurred as a result of negligent property owner behavior.
The first evidence that a victim will need to present will be from a doctor or hospital. For one to sue, they will need to indicate what injuries were incurred as a result of their slip and fall.
In addition, pictures of the accident scene are a common source of slip and fall evidence. Any photographs that show evidence of a dangerous condition are important to have when making a case.
Witness statements from those present when the accident occurred can also be a huge source of evidence. Witness testimonies can help eliminate the possibility of negligent or careless behavior on the part of the victim. Any surveillance footage from the property, if available, can serve the same purpose.
Did You Slip and Fall?
Slip and fall accidents can result in injuries that are hugely detrimental to one’s life. If you’ve been injured in such an accident, you have a right under the law to receive compensation from those that caused the accident to occur.
Need more legal help, advice, or tips? Contact us.