Few accidents are more damaging than a slip and fall accident. After these accidents, it’s likely you will be left with severe injuries and the need to pay hefty medical bills while not being able to work. Although many falls occur due to simple clumsiness, it’s also possible to suffer a slip and fall accident on someone else’s property because of hazardous conditions.
If you’ve fallen on someone else’s property and suffered extensive injuries, you may be able to file a personal injury lawsuit as long as your claim is valid. Here are a few tips to help you decide if you have a valid slip and fall claim, and advice for hiring a slip and fall lawyer.
Property Conditions
The main factor that will determine if the property owner is liable for your fall is the condition of their property. A slip and fall claim is only valid if the property where the fall occurred is deemed unsafe, and the property owner had a responsibility to maintain your safety. Some of the most common examples of unsafe conditions include a sidewalk that is severely damaged or covered in ice or snow, floors that are slippery, or surfaces covered in debris or other obstacles.
It’s important to understand, however, that a property owner only has to make their property reasonably safe, not perfectly safe. For instance, after a winter storm, the property owner is responsible for removing ice and snow from their sidewalks, but may not have to make sure they are completely clear or dry.
Notices and Warnings
Another issue that will influence the validity of your slip and fall claim is whether the property owner was aware of the dangerous condition that caused your fall. A property owner cannot be reasonably expected to immediately be aware of a dangerous condition. For example, if a liquid is spilled on the floor of a business, and this liquid immediately causes a fall, the property owner will not be liable, as they could not possibly have known about the slippery condition.
When a property owner becomes aware of a dangerous condition that they are not immediately able to address, they are duty bound to post a warning about the condition. This is common for public sidewalks where there is construction or in a business where slippery floors are a risk. If no warning sign is posted and you suffer a fall, you may be able to file a personal injury claim with the help of a slip and fall lawyer.
Personal Responsibility
You need to understand that a property owner is not responsible for your slip and fall accident if the dangerous condition was obvious. For instance, if there is a pothole in a sidewalk, and you fail to avoid the hole and suffer a fall, you would be responsible for your fall and not the property owner. Ignoring an obviously dangerous condition invalidates your slip and fall claim.
Hire a Slip and Fall Lawyer
If you’re struggling to support yourself after a slip and fall accident, you should consider filing a personal injury lawsuit with the help of a slip and fall lawyer from The Law Offices of Peter N. Davis and Associates, LLC. Peter N. Davis and his legal team are ready to listen to the facts of your case and help you build your slip and fall claim.
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