Do I Have a Slip and Fall Personal Injury Case?

Proving that you have a slip and fall case can sometimes be easier said than done. Slip and fall incidents can occur anywhere, anytime, and can result in serious, life-threatening injuries and debilitating damages. As simple as these types of accidents can be, they can be extremely devastating. If you were injured in a slip and fall accident, make sure you know what is required for a valid slip and fall injury claim.

Understanding Slip and Fall Cases

First, the victim of a slip and fall case must be able to prove that the fall caused harm or damage. If the fall victim was uninjured, there will likely be no case. The injured party must also be able to prove that another party was responsible for the injury and subsequent damages. If the injured person caused his or her own injury, they might not have a personal injury case, unless another party was also partially responsible. Usually, slip and fall accidents occur on someone else’s property, either a public space, a place of business, or private residential property. In these cases, slip and fall cases might also be considered premises liability cases, making the property owner liable. However, liability can vary depending on the situation.

Liability for Slip and Fall Injuries

Most slip and fall accidents occur while the injured party is on another person’s property, which means the property owner or manager is likely liable. If the property owner fails to properly maintain his or her home, store, walkway, stairs, or some other aspect of the property, and damage caused by that negligence could fall on their shoulders. Or, if there is a hazard and a property owner fails to provide adequate warning against entering the dangerous zone, they could be considered responsible for any resulting injuries. However, employees of the property owner might sometimes be found liable, or other parties might be held partially responsible.

Proving Fault

In order to prove fault in a slip and fall case, you must prove that you were injured and that the negligent party’s carelessness caused your injury. The basis of this type of case relies on the argument that the negligent party owed you a duty, and they failed in that duty by allowing you to come to harm. For example, let’s say you were in a store looking to make a purchase when you suddenly slipped on a broken floorboard, causing you to fall and suffer a concussion. The store owner invited you in, because that is the nature of a store, and their failure to maintain a safe property resulted in your injury. This is a classic example of a slip and fall case, but there are many other ways in which someone could be injured.

Common Causes of Slip and Fall Cases

Some of the most common slip and fall accidents are caused by the following dangers:

• Slippery or wet floors
• Potholes
• Uneven flooring
• Damaged, crooked, or unstable stairs
• Hazardous debris
• Lack of handrails or other safety features
• Exposed wires or cords
• Unstable shelves, bookcases, or other furniture

If you think you may have a slip and fall case, our firm wants to help. Contact Scaringi Law today to discuss your case with our Harrisburg personal injury lawyers.