Top 10 Slip and Fall Accident Risk Factors
A slip and fall accident is a very common type of accident that is sometimes caused by unsafe conditions on someone else’s property. Property owners have a duty to use reasonable care on their property. This means being aware of dangerous conditions on their property and fixing those problems in a timely manner in order to make the property safe for visitors. Until issues are fixed, the area should be well marked to warn about the hazard. Property owners who fail to fulfill this obligation may be held liable for damages in a slip and fall accident through a premise liability claim. A personal injury attorney can help you through your slip and fall case.
Top 10 Slip and Fall Accident Risk Factors
- Composition of the floor surface. This means the type of flooring and whether it has been properly cleaned and dried. Note that conventional mopping methods can move grease and debris around the floor without really cleaning it; this can add to the slip factor of the floor.
- Foreign substances such as ice, grease, or water resting on top of a floor or ground surface.
- Floor surface conditions such as loose carpeting, raised or recessed edges, dirt and debris.
- Surface changes such as walking from a carpeted floor to a tile floor.
- Surface level changes such as unexpected slopes or raises
- Obstructions on the ground or flooring such as extension cords, hoses, boxes, garbage, etc.
- Compromised visibility caused by poor lighting, glare from the sun, shadows, bright lights, or color contrasts.
- Particular human factors such as individual physical capabilities or challenges, shoe types, and familiarity with a given area.
- Falling down three of more stairs can result in very serious slip and fall injuries.
- Unexpected and distracting conditions such as loud noises, strobe or flashing lights, water on the floor, etc.
How do I prove negligence in a Slip and Fall accident?
If you are looking to collect damages from your slip and fall accident, your premise accident lawyer will need to prove that the property owner was negligent in caring for the property either because they failed to notice that there was a dangerous situation on their property or because they chose not to fix the situation. One exception to this rule is an “open or obvious danger” where a dangerous condition is considered so obvious that anybody who comes on the premises should reasonably understand to avoid the danger. In comparative negligence states such as Washington, a property owner and the slip and fall victim can both be held partially responsible for the accident and the owner will have to pay damages proportionate to his share of the blame.
If you or a loved one were injured in an accident, you have enough to deal with. Let an experienced accident attorney fight for the full compensation that you deserve. It is not uncommon to receive a settlement from the insurance company that is five to ten times bigger with the help of a lawyer. Call the caring accident attorneys at Tario & Associates, P.S. in Bellingham, WA today for a FREE consultation! We have been representing residents of Whatcom County, Skagit County, Island County and Snohomish County since 1979. You will pay nothing up front and no attorney fees at all unless we recover damages for you!
