Over one million Americans seek emergency treatment every year for injuries sustained in slip and fall accidents. These injuries can be severe, and victims might suffer damages like medical expenses, lost wages, and pain and suffering. The good news is that the victims can sue the property owners for damages. However, before you search for “slip and fall lawyer near me,” find out more about the legal responsibilities of your property owner. The goal is to get insights on how to prove negligence and increase the chances of winning the lawsuit. Keep reading to uncover the legal responsibilities of property owners in slip-and-fall cases.
Adequate Lighting
One of the leading causes of slip and fall accidents is poor lighting in the building. People often struggle to see where they’re stepping and end up falling. Property owners can curb this risk by investing in proper lighting.
Regular Inspections
Your property owner has a legal and moral duty to regularly inspect the building. The goal is to identify potential hazards like wet floors, loose carpets, or uneven surfaces. So, if you were injured after slipping and falling, it’s crucial to review if your property owners have been inspecting the building frequently.
Timely Repairs
After identifying hazards, property owners should repair them in a timely manner. Sadly, some of them delay repairs, magnifying the risk of slip and fall. So, you can use the delayed repairs as a foundation of your claim. You’ll need to provide evidence that the owner knew about the issue, yet they failed to fix it promptly.
Clear Warnings
In some situations, the property owner might be unable to make immediate repairs. In such circumstances they should provide clear warnings. The goal is to caution people against hazards like wet floors or construction areas. Failing to provide such warnings can indicate negligence in a slip and fall case.
Regular Walkway Maintenance
Your property owner should clear the walkways by ensuring they’re free of debris, snow, ice, and other obstacles. So, it might be necessary for them to hire someone to shovel snow or salt icy paths. So, when filing a slip and fall case, you may need to have documentation on the condition of the walkway.
Proving Negligence in Slip and Fall Cases
The success of your slip and fall case will be pegged on your ability to prove that the property owner was negligent. To do this, you’ll need to prove four key things: duty of care, breach of duty, causation, and damages. Luckily, you don’t have to do this yourself, as you can hire an injury attorney. Use the internet to search for a “slip and fall lawyer near me.” The plan is to find an attorney who can guide you more on these elements and how to prove them.
Conclusion
Slip-and-fall lawsuits can be complicated and time-consuming. You can make things easy by searching for the best “slip and fall lawyer near me.” The attorney can educate you more on the legal responsibilities of property owners in these cases. They can also help you prove negligence, increasing your chances of receiving compensation.
