Maitland Slip & Fall Attorney
While traffic collisions, work accidents, and mass shootings are probably at the top of most people’s lists of injury- or death-causing incidents, falls are actually the leading cause of hospital visits when it comes to injuries. Property owners have a duty to maintain their premises and keep it in a reasonably safe condition for all users. Failure to do so can cause slip and falls, making the owner liable. If you were hurt in a slip and fall, the Maitland slip & fall attorneys at The Hornsby Law Group are here to help you seek compensation for your damages.
Causes of Slip and Falls
If a fall victim falls simply because they lost their balance on their own accord or were not paying attention to what was in front of them, they likely do not have a winning case. However, if a hazard exists and causes them to fall, they do. There are virtually limitless types of slip and fall and trip and fall hazards. The following are some of the more common examples:
- Spilled liquid
- Spilled merchandise
- Rainwater puddles
- Puddles caused by leaking plumbing
- Greasy or unclean flooring
- Spilled food
- Cracked flooring
- Uneven floor boards
- Torn carpeting
- Cracked or missing tiles
- Inadequate lighting
- Lack of handrail on stairs
- Uneven step or stairs
- No step down warning
- Stairway not to code
- Cluttered walkway
- Walking area under construction
- Construction debris, materials, or machinery
- Potholed parking lot
- Uncovered utility holes
- Any other unmarked tripping or slipping hazard
Property Owner Liability
A property owner is only liable for a slip and fall when all of the following elements are true:
- The plaintiff was an invitee or licensee (they were on the property legally)
- The plaintiff fell and was injured as a result of a hazard
- The property owner knew about the hazard (including real or constructive knowledge)
- The property owner had a reasonable amount of time to address the hazard and failed to do so
Slip and fall victims often have questions concerning real versus constructive knowledge. Real knowledge would be a store owner or manager knowing that there was spilled merchandise on Aisle 3 because they saw it with their own eyes, or another employee or customer told them about it. Constructive knowledge, on the other hand, is knowledge that they should have had. If, for example, the spill had happened hours prior, it could be argued that an employee should have made rounds and known about the spill sometime between the spill and the plaintiff’s fall.
Call a Maitland Slip & Fall Attorney Today
Slip and falls can result in serious injuries. It is not uncommon for victims to sustain fractures, sprains, concussions, lacerations, spinal cord injuries, or soft tissue injuries. Damages from any type of injury can include medical expenses, future medical costs, pain and suffering, lost income, lost earning ability, emotional distress, and more. To find out if the property owner in your case is liable for your damages, call the Maitland slip and fall attorneys at The Hornsby Law Group today to schedule a free consultation.
