Any hazardous condition on any property can cause a slip-and-fall accident. You can also slip, trip, or fall if the property is under construction, being cleaned, or in disrepair. Many slip-and-fall accidents happen at work, especially in high-traffic areas where people are always moving, and conditions are always changing. Falls at construction sites, for example, can be fatal.
At the Law Offices of Charles R. Gueli, we’ve been litigating slip-and-fall accidents for more than 2 decades. We’ve seen all sorts of causes of slips, trips, and falls, and we wanted to share some of the most common to help you determine whether or not you have a case.
Remember, though, the only way we can know for sure whether or not your case is viable is to review it during a meeting with our attorney. If you want to discuss your situation in-depth, we offer free consultations 24/7!
Wet and Uneven Walking Surfaces
Whether the property owner just mopped or waxed, or someone spilled or tracked in a liquid, wet floors are unsafe and must be remedied quickly. The same is true with walking surfaces that are uneven, for whatever reason.
If a property owner sees any of the following conditions, they should fix them as soon as possible and/or post a warning sign while the condition is being remedied:
- Freshly mopped or waxed floors
- Leaks or spills
- Moisture collection
- Loose floorboards, rugs, or mats
- Worn out carpeting
Hazards are not limited to inside premises, either. Potholes in the parking lot and defective sidewalks can also cause accidents.
Snow and Ice
No one can control the weather, but property owners are responsible for keeping their premises safe. If a property owner fails to salt their ice, shovel their walkway, or otherwise make their premises safer for visitors, they can be held liable for any injuries that occur.
Lighting
You might not think of lighting as something that causes slips, trips, and falls, but when you can’t see where you’re going or what kind of surface you’re walking on, accidents happen.
If you are invited to a premise that isn’t well-lit and trip over something, the property owner can be responsible for your injuries.
Similarly, bright light reflecting on a shiny floor can cause a disorienting glare.
Lighting is especially important on walkways, sidewalks, and staircases.
Ladders, Ramps, and Stairs
Accidents with ladders happen most often at work. Sometimes, people use furniture to replace ladders, which is always unsafe, and others, people forget to secure or hold ladders while they are in use. Ladder accidents may lead to workers’ compensation.
Outside of work, ramps and stairs can become a hazard if they are not equipped with the proper handrails. Defective handrails also cause a fair number of accidents. Occasionally, broken stairs can also pose a significant problem.
Obstacles on the Floor
Clutter is the opposite of safe when it comes to the surfaces that guests walk on. You may trip over a stray wire on the floor, slip on a banana peel or other debris, or fall after colliding with an open cabinet. Property owners must ensure all aisles and walkways are clean and orderly. If they fail to do, they could be held accountable for any injuries the obstacles cause.
Have You Been Injured in Any of These Situations?
Any time a property owner knows about unsafe conditions and fails to remedy them, or should have known about hazards but failed to neglect their property, you may be entitled to damages for any injuries you sustain.
If you have been harmed by wet or uneven walking surfaces, poor lighting, snow or ice, defective stairs or handrails, or debris on the floor, call our firm.
Our team at the Law Offices of Charles R. Gueli is here for you 24/7.
Call us at (516) 628-6402 or contact us online to get started with a free consultation.