Slip and fall accidents, as the name suggests, refer to incidents where a person slips, trips, or falls because of unsafe conditions on someone else's property. These accidents can lead to serious injuries such as broken bones, fractures, head trauma, and even spinal cord damage.
From a legal perspective, these incidents often fall under the umbrella of 'premises liability' cases. This term refers to situations where a property owner's negligence leads to someone else's injury. In this blog, we discuss the specific autumn-related hazards for slip and fall accidents.
Property Owners Owe Guests a Duty of Care
In the context of slip and fall accidents, property owners have a legal duty of care to maintain their premises in a safe condition. This means that they must take reasonable steps to ensure that their property is free from dangerous conditions that could cause harm to visitors. If a property owner fails to uphold this duty and a person who is legally on their property is injured as a result, the owner can be held legally responsible for the victim's injuries.
Autumn Risks
Autumn presents unique hazards that can increase the risk of slip and fall accidents. Such risks include:
- Wet leaves, for instance, can create slippery surfaces, particularly on walkways and stairs.
- Fallen leaves can also lead to slip-and-fall accidents because they conceal potholes or tripping hazards on sidewalks and walkways.
- Halloween decorations, if not properly secured or placed in walkways, can become tripping hazards.
- Poor lighting, because of daylight savings ending and/or a lack of lighting on property walkways, can lead to poor visibility and increase the risk of slips and falls.
- The onset of colder temperatures can lead to frost and ice, particularly in the mornings and evenings, creating slippery conditions.
- Early snowfalls, common in some areas during the autumn months, can also create slippery conditions if not promptly cleared.
- Autumn is harvest season for many crops, and farming injuries, including slips and falls, can be more common during this time. Even if you are not a farmer or harvester, you may go to a pumpkin patch or another harvesting location as a fun activity with friends or family.
To avoid these risks, you should consider the following practical tips:
- Proper footwear. Wear shoes with good traction to prevent slips and falls on wet or icy surfaces.
- Use handrails. Always use handrails when available, especially on stairs and sloped surfaces.
- Keep paths clear. Regularly clear your walkways of leaves, snow, and other debris to prevent tripping hazards.
- Ensure you have proper lighting. Ensure that outdoor areas are well-lit so that you can see potential hazards.
- Be aware while walking. Pay attention to where you're walking and avoid distractions like cell phones.
For property owners, there are also a range of products available that can help to mitigate the risks of slip and fall accidents:
- Anti-slip mats. These can provide extra traction in high-risk areas, such as entrances and stairs.
- Salt or sand. These can be used to melt ice and provide additional grip on slippery surfaces.
- Outdoor lighting. Well-placed lighting can illuminate potential hazards and reduce the risk of falls.
- Decoration fixtures/hooks. Use sturdy, secure fixtures for Halloween decorations to prevent them from becoming tripping hazards.
Liability for Autumn-Related Accidents
In cases where an autumn-related slip and fall accident occurs, the key question is often whether the property owner was negligent. Ask the following questions to discern whether negligence was at play:
- Did they know, or should they reasonably have known, about the hazardous condition?
- Did they take appropriate steps to rectify the situation?
If the answer to these questions is 'no,' then they may be held liable for any resulting injuries. You should discuss your case with a premises liability attorney.
Ensuring Fair Compensation
Victims of slip and fall accidents have several avenues to seek compensation. They can file a personal injury lawsuit against the negligent property owner. In this case, it's crucial to gather and preserve evidence of the hazardous condition that caused the accident. This might include:
- photographs of the scene,
- medical records detailing the injuries, and
- witness statements.
Alternatively, victims may be able to negotiate a settlement with the property owner's insurance provider. However, it's important to remember that insurance companies often aim to minimize payouts.
Therefore, hiring an experienced personal injury attorney can be beneficial. An attorney can help to accurately assess the value of a claim, negotiate with the insurance company, and advocate for the victim's rights throughout the process.
Call (516) 628-6402 to Schedule a Consultation
At the Law Offices of Charles R. Gueli, our attorney provides clients with personalized attention and solutions as well as aggressive representation. Complete our online contact form to get started on your premises liability case today.