What is A Slip/Trip and Fall Accident?

Have you slipped, tripped or fallen on another person’s property because of a hazardous situation such as ice, snow, water, poor lighting or a dangerous staircase? If so, you may be entitled to compensation for your pain, suffering and losses.

A “slip and fall” or “trip and fall” accident generally refers to a situation in which an individual is injured due to a dangerous condition located on another person’s property. An accident can happen anywhere from a private home to shopping malls to public parks. Remember, these accidents can occur both inside and outside of a building – structural defects, wet floors, weather-related situations, potholes, ice and other hidden hazards can all cause a slip and fall accident.

Property owners have a “duty of care” to make sure that their property is reasonably safe. This includes ensuring that there are no hazards that could cause an accident, both indoors and out. When evaluating your situation, it is important to consider a few things: Was there something the property owner “should have known” was a dangerous situation? Did the property owner take reasonable measures to keep his or her property safe? Have any accidents happened there before? These initial questions, along with a careful evaluation of your individual situation, will assist you in putting together a case.

For a property owner to be held legally liable for your injuries, one of the following must be true:

• The owner of the premises (or an employee) must have caused a dangerous situation.
• The owner of the premises (or an employee) must have known of the dangerous condition and failed to correct it properly.
• The owner of the premises (or an employee) “should have known” a dangerous condition was present.

A lawyer can help you determine if you have a case and lead you through your pursuit for compensation. You may be entitled to recompense for pain and suffering, loss of income, health care expenses, housekeeping costs and any other economic losses incurred. Contact our firm immediately and we will provide you with the legal advice you need to successfully pursue your claim for compensation.