Slip and Fall Accidents: What Are Your Legal Rights?

If you have suffered from slip and fall accidents that were not your fault, you may be able to recover compensation from the responsible party. Slip and fall accidents are usually the result of faulty or unsafe flooring, escalators, stairs, public walkways, or other types of structure. This can include anything from a loose handrail in a club to a loose handrail in a restaurant. There are many different types of slip and fall accidents, but they all essentially fall under one umbrella: negligence.

“Slip and fall” has also become a popular term used when discussing injuries that occur on someone else’s property and involve sliding, tripping, or falling down. These incidents usually fall under the larger category of “street injury” cases. In these types of accidents, there are often injuries caused by: defective floors, escalators, stairs, walkways, and other types of structure on public or private property. These “slip and fall” accidents can cause everything from broken bones, to whiplash, to permanent disability.

In addition to faulty floors and staircases, there are other factors that contribute to the likelihood of accidents occurring. Slip and falls can occur on: roofs, terraces, porches, sidewalks, curbs, floors, steps, angles, blind spots, stairs, elevators, ramps, and freeways. There are even instances where people have slipped and fallen through open windows. Poor lighting conditions can also lead to this type of incident. All of these conditions present unique challenges for those that are attempting to legally seek damages for their slip and fall injuries. However, there are some common elements that most all of these situations share.

First, all slip and fall accidents occur at a point of contact. This means that when a person is entering or leaving a public or private structure, they are always in some sort of contact with the property they are in. Unfortunately, if the structure is not constructed well, or has poor lighting, the dangers for these types of accidents increase greatly. This is why it is important to check out the structure you plan on entering or leaving on your visit to the property you plan on using before you sign on the property owner’s deed.

Next, you must determine whether or not the point of contact you have with the structure is level. If it isn’t, or if you have fallen because the surface was not level, then you are liable for tripping on or sliding on it. Additionally, if you were to slide on a wet floor, the consequences could be dire. For instance, if you tripped on a wet carpeted floor, you could sustain a back injury, or worse, spinal cord injury. While both of these elements can certainly cause bodily harm, spinal cord injury can be a particularly devastating outcome for someone who has been completely careless in their preparation for entering or exiting a structure.

The types of pathways that can lead to dangerous slip and fall accidents vary greatly. When walking along a sidewalk, the type of pathways are those that are marked off with pavement markers for easy walking. These types of paths are usually painted with safety signs to help people stay safe. Some people prefer to use steps as their method of getting around, though most sidewalks are wide enough for individuals to use a step to move from one place to another. This is why you should take extra care to look over any pathways you may walk on, to make sure they are well lit and free of debris.

Public walkways are another source of unsafe slip and fall environments. Whenever walkways are used for any type of commercial purpose, they become a potentially dangerous surface due to potential obstacles such as uneven or loose ground, protruding surfaces, and more. Every time an individual walks on a public pathway, they are required by law to remain on the designated path at all times, or risk being fined.

If you have been injured due to a slip and fall accident, you may be entitled to monetary compensation. In order for you to determine if you are eligible for this particular type of compensation, you will first need to speak with a qualified attorney. They will be able to help assess the severity of your injuries, as well as determine whether you are legally responsible for the accident. Even if you are not financially responsible for the accident itself, you may still be responsible for other medical expenses that resulted from it. The best way to learn more about your legal rights is to speak with an experienced personal injury attorney who can give you legal advice regarding your case.