As an experienced personal injury attorney, I have seen countless cases of people getting injured due to slips and falls on someone else's property. These accidents can happen anywhere, from a wet floor to a faulty ladder or uneven ground. If you have been injured in such an accident, you may be able to file a civil liability lawsuit against the property owner or occupant to recover damages. However, whether you can actually recover will depend on various factors, including your condition on the property and whether the owner or occupant took reasonable care to prevent slips and falls. This includes things like poorly constructed staircases, weather-related accumulations such as ice, foreign substances on floors, hidden cables, unsecured carpets, and damaged surfaces. At The Hanover Insurance Company and its affiliates and subsidiaries (“The Hanover”), we understand the importance of preventing slip and fall injuries.
That's why we provide recommendations and resources to help businesses make their facilities safer. However, it's important to note that accepting these recommendations does not guarantee compliance with any law or regulation. If you have been injured in a slip and fall accident, it's crucial to understand facility liability law. This legal framework determines when you have grounds to file a claim for damages. To ensure your rights are protected, it's best to seek the help of an experienced personal injury attorney who has handled civil liability cases before. One common issue in slip and fall cases is the failure to place warning signs on wet floors.
While this may not be a criminal offense, it is a violation of liability law and can be used to determine fault in an accident claim or lawsuit. The longer the floor has been wet, the more likely it is that the store owner knew or should have known about the hazardous surface but failed to take appropriate measures to protect customers. In some work areas or situations, it may not be possible to prevent wet floors. In such cases, mats or slides can be used to provide slip resistance and reduce the risk of accidents. However, the compensation you receive will depend on whether a reasonable person would have noticed a sign on the wet floor and acted more cautiously to avoid slips and falls. If you're looking to develop a slip, trip, and fall prevention program for your business, there are various resources available to help you.
These include guidelines and best practices from organizations like The Hanover Insurance Company and its affiliates and subsidiaries (“The Hanover”). By following these recommendations, you can make your facility safer for both employees and customers. When it comes to commercial and retail properties, such as movie theaters, supermarkets, restaurants, retail stores, and other public places, wet tile, wood, and enamel floors are the most common cause of slip and fall accidents. If you have been injured in such an accident, it's important to seek legal representation as soon as possible. It's also worth noting that if you were walking in an area where you shouldn't have been in the first place, you may be considered comparatively negligent. This means that even if you were not an intruder, your actions may have contributed to the accident and could affect your ability to recover damages. Establishment liability laws require commercial businesses to protect customers and guests by warning them of potentially hazardous conditions.
This includes wet or slippery floors. If a business fails to do so and someone gets injured as a result, they may be held liable for any damages.
