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Slip and Fall Liability - Can I Sue For Slipping on Someone's Property?

To say that slip and fall injuries are prevalent might be a bit of an understatement. In 2004 over 8 million injuries are predicted to have occurred, and there is no reason to believe that this number has gone down with technological or legislative advances.

That being the case, it is important for citizens to know how liability works in the realm of slip and fall and what they can do to properly assess whether or not they deserve financial compensation for their pain and suffering.

This article will address details of slip and fall liability, and what questions you can ask yourself to if this unfortunate situation has occurred to you or a loved one.

What is a Slip and Fall Accident?

As it's name implies, slip and fall accidents occur when a person loses their balance or becomes unstable as a result of their direct environment. It is important to note that these cases must take place on a piece of property owned and regulated by another person or company.

If an accident takes place on your own property or in an area that is not 'supposed' to be maintained, then the probability for success in a lawsuit is greatly diminished.

Let's look a little closer at where liability can occur.

Where Might a Company Be Liable For My Accident?

There are a wide variety of places that are eligible for legal consideration should you experience an accident.

Most businesses have a physical location where clients and customers are able to visit an do business. These locations are required to have safe flooring, good lighting, and proper instructions for exits, etc. Should you slip and fall at such a place due to hazardous or neglected conditions, you may be able to pursue legal recourse.

Another kind of situation is outdoor maintenance required by law. For example, many communities require homeowners to take care of the sidewalk outside of their home. Furthermore, companies are often required to make sure their lots and stoops are not dangerously icy or otherwise hazardous.

What Questions to Ask Yourself Should You Encounter A Slip and Fall Situation

If you are injured and are still unsure as whether or not you might be entitled to legal compensation, ask the following questions:

* Was I in a place that is openly accessible and inviting to the public?

* Was I taking proper precautions and monitoring my environment?

* Was I distracted in any way that might have aided in leading to the accident?

* Could the owners of the property have known about the hazardous situation, and was there a reasonable amount of time given for them to address it?

* Did the individual or company have a system in place that could have warned you or prevented the accident, and if so, was that system operating properly?

* Would an average person have a reasonable chance at getting injured in the same fashion you did?

* Was the owner of the property directly responsible for the unsafe condition, or simply negligent to correct it?

Legal Recourse

In addition to assessing your situation using the questions above, also be certain to obtain as much evidence and eye witness accounts of the incident as possible. From there, it is important to reach out to a slip and fall specialist attorney near you. The more skilled and local the attorney, the better suited they will be to handling your state's specific slip and fall regulations, and the more they will know precedents in your area for similar cases.