Five Common Issues That Often Lead to Slip and Fall Injuries
Slip and fall injuries may seem like embarrassing accidents that lead to nothing more than injured pride and a good story to tell later. However, these injuries can actually be very serious. The CDC reports that one in five falls leads to a serious injury, such as a head injury or broken bone. The Southern California personal injury lawyers at DeWitt Algorri & Algorri know that these accidents can significantly impact your quality of life.
Protecting yourself should be your top priority after a fall. Even if you think you’re not seriously injured, getting checked out at a local urgent care or walk-in clinic could uncover injuries that need immediate treatment. Additionally, prompt medical care is a crucial component of any personal injury claim.
Our team has extensive experience with premises liability claims. In one case, we represented a Crestline victim whose foot was crushed by a falling branch at a rental house. After multiple rounds of negotiations, the case went to trial and the jury awarded our client $2.9 million. Find out how our extensive experience in personal injury law can help you fight for the compensation you deserve. Learn more about the common causes of slip and fall injuries, and when you’re ready to move forward, call us at 855-WINNING (946-6464) to set up a consultation now.
Unsafe Walking Surfaces
Wet and slippery floors, uneven flooring, and loose carpeting are all common causes of accidental falls. Victims can also be injured by cluttered walkways that are difficult to navigate. Yes, someone in a home or place of business does have an obligation to avoid obvious hazards; however, that doesn’t preclude a property owner from taking appropriate and reasonable steps to keep walkways safe. Roughly two million fall injuries are attributed to flooring materials every single year.
Insufficient Lighting
Inadequate lighting leaves people guessing at where their next step will be and hoping that nothing is in their way. Dimly lit areas may give people a false sense of confidence—while they know to be cautious in the dark, having a little bit of light may cause them to move more quickly than they should. Whether an area is dimly lit due to burned-out lightbulbs, too few lamps, or poor design choices, it’s up to property owners to ensure that guests are able to walk around safely.
Weather Conditions
Property owners are expected to respond to inclement weather conditions and do what it takes to keep their property safe for visitors and clients. Rain can cause slick walkways, and thick ice is enough to leave someone flat on their back. Densely packed snow also leads to unsafe walkways or hides treacherous ice beneath its surface. Property owners are expected to take swift action to mitigate the damage caused by poor weather and put up the necessary warning signs.
Negligent Maintenance
All property needs ongoing maintenance to keep it safe and presentable. When property owners get a little too lax about maintenance, accidents are likely to follow. Broken handrails can cause serious injuries when an unknowing visitor leans on them for support, and it’s all too easy for someone to get caught on a piece of loose flooring and fall on their face. If the defect was something the property owner should have noticed and taken care of, they could be held liable for damages with a premises liability claim.
Lack of Warning Signs
Some obstacles are unavoidable. Entryways may be constantly slippery on a day of heavy rain, or uneven stairs that cannot be fixed on a historical building may cause some to lose their balance. However, a property owner can still protect themselves and those who visit their property by putting up prominent warning signs. This gives visitors plenty of notice that they should watch their step or take extra caution. It’s important to note, though, that warning signs do not necessarily absolve a property owner of liability if someone is injured. They’re still expected to take reasonable steps to keep their property safe.
Injured in a Slip and Fall Accident? Call A Premise Liability Attorney Today
If you have been hurt in a slip and fall accident, you need a strong and aggressive legal team on your side. Let our premise liability Lawyers take on your case and hold the negligent party accountable. Schedule your free consultation now by calling us at 855-WINNING (946-6464) or reaching out online.
Mark Algorri has successfully represented individuals and their families in matters involving serious and catastrophic injuries, insurance claims denials, and wrongful deaths, achieving a success rate of 99 percent for our clients.
