Slip and Fall Accidents Overview
Facts About Slip and Fall Accidents
Slip and fall accidents have the potential to occur anywhere–from work, to home, to a grocery store–the circumstances are extensive. Slip and fall accidents can lead to severe injuries that may even be permanent. In fact, slip and fall accidents can even be fatal. Whatever the case may be, it is important for victims and their families to know that the property owner in which the accident occurred, can be held liable since that party is legally responsible to prevent injuries like that from happening. If the property owner fails to provide a duty of care, and someone in consequently hurt on the property, they can expose themselves to being legally responsible.
If you or a loved one was injured in a slip and fall accident, it is in your best interest to seek legal help from a slip and fall injury attorney Los Angeles as soon as possible so your attorney can preserve your rights. The sooner you contact an attorney to handle your case, the better the outcome may be for you and the sooner we can help you. We strongly encourage anyone who has been victimized in a slip and fall accident to seek legal help as soon as they can.
In this article, you will learn about the details regarding slip and fall accidents.
Common Causes of Slip and Fall Accidents
As previously stated, slip and fall accidents can happen just about anywhere. Some of the most common causes of slip and fall accidents may include (but are not limited to) the following:
- Uneven surfaces with no warning signs
- Wet floors
- Loose rugs, mats, or floorboards
- Cracked cement or potholes in parking lots or sidewalks
- Spilled liquids
- Snow or ice
- Trash or debris
- Poor lighting
- Unkept cords
- Lack of handrails in stairways
In addition, there are several occupants that are commonly susceptible to these injuries, which include the following:
- Workers in the construction industry
- Housekeepers and custodial staff
- Chefs and kitchen workers
- Factory workers
- Manual laborers
Prevention of Slip and Fall Accidents
Even though slip and fall accidents are not completely preventable, you can reduce the risk of these types of incidents from occurring.
- Minimize the risk of wet or slippery surfaces
- Clear obstacles from aisles and walkways
- Proper lighting
- Be aware of your surroundings
- Wear proper shoes
How is Liability Determined?
Liability is determined based on negligence. Property owners have a responsibility to prevent injuries from happening on their property. There are three types of visitors that determine the duty of care that the property owner owes them:
Invitees: An invitee is an individual who is invited to enter the property for business dealings with the owner or has entered the land because it is open to the public. A few examples would include retail consumers, business guests, and visitors public parks.
Licensees: A licensee is divided into an uninvited licensee and an invited licensee. An invited licensee is someone who was invited to enter the property by the property owner and an uninvited licensee is someone who was not invited to enter the property, but whose presence is allowed for reasonable circumstances (door-to-door salesman or a mailman).
Trespassers: A trespasser is someone who has entered the property unlawfully and should not be on the property whatsoever.
Now that you have a better idea of the three types of visitors, it is important to know that property owners own invitees and licensees the highest duty of care for these guests. It is the property owner’s obligation to make sure that their property is safe and free of potential hazards.
Contact a Lawyer for Slip and Fall Accident Los Angeles
If you or someone you know was injured in a slip and fall accident due to the negligence of a property owner, you may be entitled to compensation for your injuries. A slip and fall accident can result in pain and suffering, lost wages from missed work, medical expenses, and more. At Mann & Elias, it is important that we let victims know that they are not alone and they can get legal help from a slip and fall accident attorney Los Angeles that can help them every step of the way.
Feel free to contact us any time to speak to a Los Angeles personal injury attorney!