Slip and fall injuries can happen anytime and sometimes in the most unpredicted circumstances. Providing a safe environment for the public and visitors of a home are both equally important in preventing a slip and fall event. Below we go over some questions surrounding slip and fall; the scenarios in which it can happen, who may be responsible and the factors for compensation.
If a person were to fall on the city sidewalk due to a broken piece of cement, can he or she sue the city?
The injured person may submit a slip and fall claim, because each city has a duty to maintain streets and sidewalks for the safety of the public. If the victim can provide evidence that proves the city failed to upkeep the sidewalk, it can increase validity of the case. There are deadlines and paperwork requirements when filing a claim. Some victims choose to hire an attorney, who can assist with organizing needed documents and performing legal tasks.
Who is responsible for a slip & fall injury of a visitor in someone else’s home?
Social guests can attempt to recover compensation for a slip and fall injury while in the home of another person, but varies depending on how the incident happened. Homeowners do have the responsibility to inform guests about dangerous conditions or hazards that a visitor may not notice. If a slip and fall happens as a result of tripping on a rug, a person may receive compensation if they can somehow prove the host was aware others had tripped there before, and it was easily unrecognizable.
Can a shopper receive financial compensation from a retail store where the slip & fall accident happened?
In most cases, whether a person is awarded compensation for an injury will rely heavily on the facts surrounding how the accident happened. Stores do have to follow safety requirements and take precautions in order to make their store fairly safe for shoppers. Employees may routinely inspect areas of the store in order to become aware of poor conditions or potential threats to safety. If a shopper slips and falls on a puddle of liquid on the floor, it cannot be assumed he or she will be guaranteed compensation. A key factor in this scenario would be to prove the spill had been left there for a long period or the store was aware but neglected to attend to cleaning it up.
Who can be held responsible and liable for a slip and fall injury case?
When an injury occurs, it is often due to the actions or negligence of a number of people or parties. In a case where a slip and fall happened in a business environment, both a property owner and tenant may be listed as defendants and have to be present for the injury case. The tenant has a duty to maintain reasonable care to prevent injuries and the owner has responsibility to fix damages associated with the property such as walls, doors, floors, plumbing, etc. If you have questions, get the help of a lawyer, trusts for aid in personal injury cases.