Every year, there are thousands of slip and fall accidents that occur throughout the country. As the name implies, a slip and fall accident involves a situation where someone slips or trips on a property as a result of a particular condition of the property, and the person suffers some type of injury. Some slip and fall accidents are relatively innocuous and do not cause any injuries, while other slip and fall accidents involve serious, devastating injuries.
Common Causes of Slip and Fall AccidentsÂ
Slip and fall accidents can occur in a variety of situations and different places, both indoor and outdoor. Common causes of slip and fall accidents include:
- Slipping on a wet floor;
- Tripping on a defective piece of flooring, including broken wood floor, wrinkled carpet, or uneven floor;
- Tripping on unnecessary clutter on the floor, such as from cords, debris, or other objects;
- Falling in a rough patch of ground or pothole; and
- Falling as a result of a defective staircase or handrail.
When Is A Property Owner Liable for Slip and Fall Injuries?
It is important to understand that just because there is a slip and fall accident on someone else’s property does not necessarily mean that the property owner is responsible (or legally liable) for the injuries. The owner of the property has the legal duty to reasonably maintain the property in a safe condition. Whether a property owner is liable will often turn on what is “reasonable” under the circumstances. Questions that can help answer what is “reasonable” include:
- Did the property owner or an agent of the owner know of the dangerous condition?
- How long did the condition exist on the property?
- What efforts could have been taken to reduce the likelihood of an accident, such as placing warning signs or barricading the area?
- What was the reason that the object or condition existed? Was it absolutely necessary for the condition to exist?
- Did any other conditions contribute the accident, including poor lighting or poor weather conditions?
- Does the property owner have a system in place to check for dangerous conditions on the property and to remove them?
An experienced slip and fall accident attorney can help you understand if a property owner is liable for your injuries.
Damages for Slip and Fall Injuries
The type of damages that are recoverable in a slip and fall accident will depend on the type of accident and the severity of the injuries. Nevertheless, like in other personal injury lawsuits, the type of damages normally recoverable in slip and fall accidents include compensation for:
- Physical pain and suffering from one’s injuries;
- Emotional pain and suffering, including anxiety, depression, or loss of sleep;
- Past and future medical expenses to care for one’s injuries;
- Vocational rehabilitation expenses;
- Loss of wages and loss of earning capacity as a result of one’s injuries; and
- Damage to property.
Contact a Greenville Personal Injury Attorney
If you have been injured in a slip and fall accident, an experienced Greenville personal injury lawyer can help you understand your rights. David R. Price, Jr., has experience helping slip and fall victims obtain compensation for their injuries. In addition, David R. Price, Jr., has experience handling a variety other personal injury claims, including car and motorcycle accidents, bicycle accidents, premises liability cases, and dog bites.
Contact David R. Price, Jr. for a free initial consultation and case evaluation. You can call us today at 864.271.2636 or visit our office at 318 West Stone Avenue in Greenville. ​​
David Price is a Personal Injury, Civil Litigation, Collections, and Criminal Defense Attorney who practices in Greenville, SC. He graduated from the University of Georgia School of Law, and has been practicing law for 12 years. David Price believes in helping those who have been injured. Learn more about his experience by clicking here.
