Does Premises Liability Include Outdoor Slip And Fall Accidents
In personal injury cases, outdoor slip and fall accident cases fall under the legal concept of what is known as “premises liability.” This usually comes into play when a person’s injuries are caused by a defective or unsafe condition on another person’s property. While most personal injury cases result from negligence, premises liability cases that involve slip and fall accidents are no exception.
What are the common Causes of Slip and Fall Accidents?
Personal Injury Lawyers in Nepean know that property owners are responsible for preventing these accidents from occurring and must keep outdoor as well as indoor conditions safe for guests and visitors at all times. The most common causes of slip and fall accidents include:
• broken or uneven sidewalks
• broken or uneven staircases or steps (includes handrails)
• ice or snow accumulation
• items obstructing floors and walking paths
• poor lighting
• potholes or severe cracks in pavement
• slippery or wet floors, sidewalks, or other walkways
If you or a loved one suffered injury as a result of any of these conditions, you should discuss these circumstances with a personal injury attorney to determine if you have a valid claim and are entitled to compensation.
Common Injuries resulting from Slip and Fall Accidents
In some cases, the injuries a person sustains in a slip and fall accident can be serious or even fatal. If you’ve suffered any of the following injuries because you slipped and fell on someone else’s property, you should speak with a personal injury attorney:
• back and neck injuries
• broken bones and fractures
• head injuries
• severe bleeding and bruising
• sprains and strains
According to the CDC, over one million individuals are injured in slip or trip and fall accidents every year. Unfortunately, over 17,000 of these accidents prove to be fatal.
Determining Liability in a Slip and Fall Lawsuit
Property owners are responsible for maintaining their premises and must correct or remedy any dangerous conditions that exist in a timely manner. However, proving fault or liability on the property owner’s behalf can be challenging. In order to prove liability and win a slip and fall personal injury lawsuit, you must prove one of the following:
• The property owner caused the defective or unsafe condition.
• The property owner knew the condition existed but failed to fix it.
• The property owner should have known about the defective or unsafe condition.
Slip and fall injuries can often be serious and lead to costly medical bills as well as lost time on the job. If you’ve suffered injury in this type of accident, you should speak with an experienced personal injury attorney as soon as possible. They can help you maximize your claim amount.
