With certain limitations, individuals who suffer injuries due to safety hazards on other people’s property are entitled to compensation for their medical bills and other losses. Owners and renters of property have duties to maintain their premises in reasonably safe condition for their guests and invitees. When they breach these duties, they can be held financially responsible for any harm that follows.
The following are some of the most common causes of slip and fall accidents that may entitle you to a financial recovery.
Wet and Slippery Floors
In grocery stores, malls, office buildings, and other locations, it is not unusual to see “Wet Floor” signs and areas that have been cordoned off for cleaning. In these cases, the property owner is exercising good judgment by telling visitors to stay away from potentially-dangerous locations. However, owners and managers are not always so careful.
Harmful slip and fall accidents often occur as a result of
● Unmarked and unprotected slippery areas
● Excessive and uneven amounts of polish
● Floors with inadequate non-skid treatment
● Slippery slopes and inclines
Dangerous Outdoor Conditions
In New Jersey, we get a lot of rain and snow. While wet and snow-covered conditions are to be expected, property owners still need to exercise care to make sure that their premises are not adding to the risk of injury. In addition, if a property owner or tenant does decide to remove ice or snow, they must do so with reasonable care.
Unsafe Stairs
Stairs inherently present an added element of danger. As a result, property owners should be particularly vigilant in ensuring that the stairs on their premises are in good repair. Stair-related injuries are often due to
● Worn steps that are slick or have rounded edges
● Broken stairs that give way upon contact
● Missing or broken handrails
● Lack of signage or barriers to warn of dangerous stairways
Elevator and Escalator Accidents
Elevators and escalators offer conveniences to patrons of industrial, commercial and retail locations. If a building owner provides these conveniences, it must ensure that they are safe for regular use. Our personal injury attorneys regularly see elevator and escalator accident cases involving
● Unexpected stops and jerky movements that result injuries
● Clothing and personal belongings that get stuck in elevators’ and escalators’ moving parts
● People’s arms, hands, legs, and feet getting caught in elevator doors
● Elevators and escalators that are not functioning properly and not properly guarded from use
Inadequate lighting, cracks and holes in pavement and concrete, carpeting that is in disrepair, and dangerous construction sites are all common causes of slip and fall injuries as well.
Experienced Representation for Slip and Fall Injuries
You should not have to live with the burdens of a slip and fall injury. If a property owner didn’t pay to make their premises reasonably safe, they must pay you to cover your injuries. The attorneys at Petro Cohen Petro Matarazzo can help you hold the responsible parties accountable for your losses. To learn more, schedule a free consultation today.
