A slip and fall accident is a type of personal injury accident that can happen on someone else’s property when a walking hazard causes someone to fall to the ground. They can collide with the hard ground and experience severe injuries like shoulder injuries, bone fractures, and traumatic brain injuries (TBIs). Slip and fall accident victims can file claims with at-fault parties to hold them accountable for damages, such as medical bills, lost wages, and pain and suffering.
In most cases, the property owner can be liable for damages, as it’s their responsibility to ensure their property is safe to walk around. However, employees can share liability in public properties like restaurants, stores, and museums if their negligence leads to a walking hazard.
Common Causes of Slip and Fall Accident Causes
People walking around public and private properties can experience slip and fall accidents when a walking hazard takes them off their feet. Slippery surfaces, unavoidable obstacles, and poorly designed walkways can all cause slip and fall accidents that expose victims to severe injuries.
The following are some common causes of slip and fall accidents:
- Wet floors without caution signs
- Parking lot potholes
- Uneven walking surfaces
- Missing steps
- Trash or debris on the floor
- Loose floorboards or floor tiles
- Wires and cables stretched across the floor
- Low visibility areas
Victims of slip and fall accidents can suffer significant injuries like facial injuries, broken bones, spinal cord injuries, and traumatic brain injuries (TBIs). These significant injuries can affect a person monetarily, psychologically, and physically. A slip and fall accident victim can file a claim with the at-fault party’s insurance company to pursue compensation for damages.
Liability in a Slip and Fall Accident Claim
The liable party in a personal injury claim is the person whose negligence caused the accident or the party responsible for a piece of property contributing to an accident. In the case of a slip and fall accident, the property owner is the party who most likely will be held liable for damages. They own the property, which means it’s their responsibility to ensure people are safe to visit.
Whether they own a public property like a restaurant, museum, or store or a private property like a home, they must do what they can to eliminate walking hazards that can cause a slip and fall accident. Property owners must follow regulations for safety regarding flooring, stairs, and parking lot upkeep. Failing to do so can leave them liable for damages in a slip and fall accident claim.
When Can an Employee Be Held Liable for a Slip and Fall Accident?
In certain circumstances, an employee like a custodian or property manager can be held liable for damages in a slip and fall accident claim. If an employee creates a walking hazard and fails to clean it up, their negligence causes the slip and fall accident. For example, someone working at a restaurant might drop ice on the floor. If they fail to pick it up and dry the floor, they could cause a walking hazard that could cause a slip and fall accident.
A property manager must ensure that everything moves smoothly during their shift. If a walking hazard is discovered, they must do something about it to prevent a slip and fall accident. Failing to do so can leave them liable should someone be injured by a slip and fall accident.
Proving Liability in a Slip and Fall Accident Claim
After a slip and fall accident, the victim may want to file a slip and fall accident claim with the at-fault party’s insurance company to pursue compensatory damages. To do so, you will have to prove the at-fault party’s liability. Whether the party you want to hold accountable is the property owner, an employee, or a property manager, you must find tangible evidence connecting them to the accident, the walking hazard, and your injuries.
The following are some evidence that can prove a slip and fall accident claim:
- Pictures of the walking hazard
- Eyewitness and expert witness testimonies
- Police report
- Medical records
- Surveillance footage of the slip and fall accident
Damages in a Slip and Fall Accident Claim
Slip and fall accident victims can suffer damages they can pursue compensation for by filing a slip and fall accident claim. Economic damages are those that have to do with monetary losses after a slip and fall accident.
Non-economic damages are intangible losses that reflect the psychological effect of a slip and fall accident. You should contact a slip and fall accident lawyer today to calculate the value of your damages and determine the best path for pursuing compensatory damages.
The following are some damages you could pursue in a slip and fall accident claim:
- Medical expenses
- Lost wages
- Lost earning potential
- Mental anguish
- Loss of consortium
- Pain and suffering
- Loss of society
- Loss of enjoyment of life
Why Should You Hire a Slip and Fall Accident Lawyer
Hiring a slip and fall lawyer can help you with the process of recovering damages. It can be hard for someone without law experience dealing with the pain and suffering of a significant injury to sort through liability. A slip and fall accident lawyer can determine who can share liability for your damages and help you hold them accountable by gathering tangible evidence.
They can also help you negotiate a fair settlement with the at-fault party’s insurance company. The liable party’s insurer will try to deny, delay, or devalue your settlement to keep their profits up. An experienced slip and fall lawyer will be able to see through their attempts to limit your settlement and can help ensure fair settlement negotiations end with you recovering compensatory damages.
Contact The Russo Firm for Help With Your Slip and Fall Accident Claim
At The Russo Firm, our slip and fall lawyers have helped victims recover compensation for damages caused by walking hazards for decades. They have experience helping victims of slip and fall accidents at public and private properties. Our slip and fall accident lawyer know what can cause a slip and fall accident, who can be held liable, and the best way to do so to ensure you recover fair compensatory damages. Contact us for a free slip and fall accident consultation today at (561) 270-0913 or leave a message on our online contact page.
