Homeowners and business owners alike have a responsibility to ensure that their premises are safe for visitors and guests. If you own a business and a customer slips and falls in your store or office, you could be held liable for any damages or injuries incurred. Even if you do not own your own business, if a delivery person or guest slips and falls in your home, you could be legally liable.
Many people do not think about slip and fall accidents, but these accidents cause serious injuries and even deaths each year. In most cases, it is important to prove liability in slip and fall accidents. Just because someone sustains an injury on someone else’s property, this does not immediately mean a strong case. Both visitors and home and business owners are responsible for safety. However, business owners and home owners are responsible for maintaining reasonably safe conditions. By being careful about the condition of your property, you can reduce accidents and can keep your loved ones safe as well.
The biggest contributor to slip and fall accidents are precipitation accumulations. Florida does not see much snow or ice, but even a thin layer of frost on the ground can be slippery and can lead to personal injury. Water inside and outside the building can also prove a danger to visitors. The law does not require business or homeowners to immediately remove any ice, snow, or rain, but owners are often found liable if property conditions result in unnatural accumulations of precipitation. For example, if a leaky roof results in water on the floor or if a badly installed drain leads to a puddle on the sidewalk, these conditions may mean a lawsuit if someone does slip and fall on the property.
Another potential hazard in a slip and fall accident is poor lighting. Inadequate lighting indoors or outdoors can lead to tripping and falling, especially if there is any unevenness of the floor or ground as well as poor light. If a homeowner or business owner knows they have poor lighting but fails to correct this, he or she may be held liable in the event of a slip and fall accident.
Surfaces pose another danger. If floors, parking lots, or walkways on your property are obstructed or are in poor condition, you may be held liable if someone slips and falls as a result. Business and home owners are responsible for filling cracks and evening out irregularities to prevent accidents. The one exception to this is public property – such as sidewalks – which is often the responsibility of the municipality. However, you can help prevent accidents and keep yourself safer by reporting any sidewalk unevenness or dangers to your city promptly.
If you have suffered a slip and fall, contact a good Florida lawyer. A good attorney can help you understand your options and can ensure that you get the best medical help possible. Call The Law Offices of Flaxman & Lopez at 1- 800-535-2962 (1 800 5 FLAXMAN) for a free, no obligation consultation to discuss your legal options.