When a person slips and falls in public and the property owner fails to correct the problem that led to the mishap, the owner is responsible for the customer’s injuries. In this article are some examples of conditions that can lead to indoor slip and fall accidents, as well as a listing of property owners’ rights and responsibilities.
Floor Issues
Property owners are supposed to keep their floors clean, but if an accident occurs because of a wet floor, the owner can be held liable. Examples of such conduct are as follows:
1. Failure to warn customers that the floor is damp or wet
2. Failure to keep customers from walking on wet floors
3. Using too much polish or wax
4. Application of floor treatments to sloped surfaces
A business owner’s neglectfulness in maintaining mats and carpets can cause liability if an accident occurs. Worn, broken and torn carpets cause accidents, as do rugs with items trapped within that cause customers to lose their balance. A customer who is injured because of a flooring malfunction should call a Slip And Fall Attorney in Gig Harbor as soon as possible.
Stairs
Stairs are frequently made of materials that wear out with continual use. Edges can become very rounded, causing people to slip as the stairs are climbed, and missing handrails can cause customers to fall. Property owners are liable for slip and fall injuries on stairs when the owner is aware of the danger, or when the condition existed long enough so that the owner should have realized it.
Elevators and Escalators
These are common ways to move throughout buildings with multiple floors, and because they’re designed to carry people, property owners may have a greater legal duty and are held to a higher standard of conduct. Slip and fall cases can occur when an elevator or escalator jerks unexpectedly, or when an appendage or article of clothing is caught in the machinery.
Hiring Legal Representation
Lawsuits can allow slip and fall victims to get reimbursed for lost wages, medical bills and pain & suffering they’ve endured as the result of an accident. However, such lawsuits are complex, involving expert witnesses and highly technical evidence. Before lodging a claim, it’s a good idea for a victim to call a slip and fall attorney in Gig Harbor for a no-obligation evaluation. Visiting us will leave the client with a better idea of his or her case’s strengths and weaknesses.
