Common Causes of Slip and Fall Claims

Property owners have a duty to use reasonable care in order to keep their property reasonably safe and free from hazards which may cause harm to visitors. When property owners fail to uphold this duty, people can be injured as a result. The law provides that these injured parties may pursue compensation for their injuries from the at-fault party through bringing a premises liability claim. One of the most common types of premises liability claims is a slip and fall claim.

Slip and falls occur under a variety of conditions and in a range of locations. Depending on the cause of the slip and fall and how a person lands, slip and fall injuries can not only be severe but can cause physical problems indefinitely. Slip and fall injuries range from cuts, bruises, and sprains to head injuries, spinal cord injuries, and broken bones.

One of the major culprits that cause slip and falls are sub-par flooring conditions. When flooring falls into disrepair or people are not notified of potential dangers, slip and falls are a frequent result. Some of the most common dangerous flooring conditions that lead to slip and fall claims include:

• Uneven flooring and pavement
• Loose rugs or mats
• Freshly waxed or polished floors
• Failure to secure areas where the floor is wet
• Sidewalks that have fallen into disrepair and are otherwise defective
• Potholes in parking lots

In addition to flooring conditions, environmental conditions also commonly lead to slip and fall claims. Poor lighting, particularly in stairwells, can often lead to a misstep on the stairs causing a person to fall. Things blocking walkways such as trash or other debris or even cords running across can also lead to people slipping and falling. Property owners are encouraged to ensure all areas are properly lit and walkways are clear for free and safe movement.

While unsafe lighting in stairwells can easily lead to a slip and fall incident, there are a number of other dangerous stair conditions that can lead to the same. For instance, stairs falling into disrepair, such as loose steps or handrails, can be very dangerous. Lack of handrails altogether can also be quite dangerous. Debris on stairs can be hazardous as well.

While dangerous property conditions will arise from time to time, part of the duty of a property owner is to take reasonable care in order to eliminate these hazards and protect visitors from being injury victims in a slip and fall incident. This means that property owners must take steps to ensure that wet floors and spills are mopped up as soon as possible and that warning signs alerting people to the dangerous condition are adequately posted. It also means that property owners must work to maintain walkways and flooring that may need some work such as patching up cracks or potholes. In inclement winter weather conditions, sidewalks should be salted and shoveled as soon as possible.

New York City Personal Injury Attorney

If you have suffered a slip and fall injury due to a dangerous property condition, discuss your legal options with knowledgeable personal injury attorney Michael J. Redenburg, Esq. P.C. Attorney Redenburg will provide you with sound legal counsel and rigorously pursue your right to be fully compensated for your losses. Contact our office today.