The Complexities Of Proving Slip & Fall Negligence
The Complicating Factors Of Each Slip & Fall Accident Type
Slips and falls can lead to serious injuries. Some people slip on a wet floor and do nothing more than sprain their ankle. Some people slip on a wet floor and hit their head hard enough to suffer a traumatic brain injury, which can impair their quality of life for the rest of their life. If you are injured in a slip and fall because of another’s negligence, you deserve to be compensated for your injuries, whether they were relatively minor or serious enough to cause life-long changes.
It’s important that you always talk with an experienced injury attorney after you’ve been injured in a slip and fall accident. A personal injury attorney can help you understand your rights and your legal options, including whether you can try to settle with the responsible party or you will need to pursue a personal injury lawsuit.
In slip and fall accidents, as with other accidents, the key to getting a settlement is to prove that the other party was at fault. That can be tricky in slip and fall accidents for a number of reasons. Here’s a closer look at the common types of slip and fall accidents, as well as the complicating factors involved in each:
Wet Floors
Businesses have to clean their floors sometimes, but they should always put up a sign letting others know that the floor is wet. They should do likewise if there has been a leak or a spill, and they are not able to clean it up right away. The sign should be clearly visible and give people enough time to avoid the area or to walk through it carefully.
If you slip on a wet floor in Mesa and there is no such signage present, the property owner is likely at fault. Take photos of the area immediately following your fall to provide some evidence that the proper signage was not in place.
Ripped Carpet Or Broken Tile
It is easy to get a toe or a foot caught in some carpet that has been ripped or a piece of tile that has been broken. Property owners have an obligation to repair these items quickly so that they do not pose a hazard. If they cannot be repaired right away, they should be quarantined so they are not a hazard.
Again, gathering evidence will be very helpful in these situations. Take photos of the area, and write down the name and contact information of any witnesses who can testify about the condition of the scene or what happened.
Obstructed Walkway
A piece of equipment may have been left on the floor, or an electrical cord may be running across the walkway. You may not see these things, and you may trip and fall. Property owners should not leave these items in walkways, and they are negligent if they do so.
Always gather whatever evidence you can at the scene. Doing so will help your Buckeye injury attorney to prove negligence so that you can get the compensation you deserve.
Broken Sidewalks & Potholes
Property owners are responsible for the upkeep of their exteriors, as well as their interiors. Yet many neglect this maintenance because it can be so expensive. If you trip over a piece of broken sidewalk or step into a pothole, you could seriously injure yourself because of how hard the surfaces are.
Fortunately, problems with asphalt and sidewalks are not easy to disguise, so your injury attorney will likely be able to easily gather the evidence needed. Your attorney will also likely ask for the owner’s maintenance records to prove that there has been negligence in caring for the surfaces.
Ice & Snow Accidents
None of us can do anything about poor weather. However, homeowners who have over guests and business owners who welcome clients to their space are obligated to clear away snow and ice so that the walking area is safe.
Weather conditions can change quickly, so it will be important to note as many details as possible after a slip and fall on ice or snow. Write down the exact time, take photos of the conditions, and gather any other pertinent details.
There are many other ways that you may suffer a slip and fall and become injured. In each case, you will need to be able to prove that you were injured because the property owner or another responsible party did not meet their obligations and create a safe space. Experienced personal injury attorneys will understand how best to prove fault, and they work with clients to gather the evidence and testimony needed to prove their claims. Always call a Mesa injury attorney after you are injured from a slip and fall to discuss your options.
Contact a Professional Personal Injury Attorney In Mesa
The personal injury attorneys at Injury Lawyers Mesa are ready to fight to get you the compensation you deserve for your injuries after a slip and fall or other accident. Our attorneys will fight to get you the maximum compensation under the law for things like your medical bills, time lost from work, therapy or ongoing medical care, and more. Contact us in Mesa today to schedule an appointment with one of our personal injury attorneys and learn more.
1731 West Baseline Road Suite #103
Mesa, AZ 85202
Tel: 602-600-6001
Enail: [email protected]
Website: injurylawyersmesa.com