Many slip and fall accidents happen at home or on a property that is owned by someone else. When this happens, the question of who is liable for the accident always comes up. The answer to this question depends on many factors, including where you slip and why you slip. This post will look at some common slip and fall accidents in detail so you can learn more about their causes and what liability may follow them!
What is a slip and fall accident?
A slip and fall accident is one where you slip or trip and fall on someone else’s property. They can happen at your home, like in the case of wet floors, broken furniture, etc., but slips and falls are most common outside buildings.
Is slip and fall injury usually serious?
Slip and fall injuries often cause very severe damage to people because slip and fall accidents are unexpected. When you slip, your body is unable to brace itself for the impact of hitting the ground or surface it falls on. Your bones break easily when they have no time to adjust their shape!
Slip And Fall Accidents On Public Property
In Texas, several slip and fall accidents occur at home or on the premises owned by someone else. In this case, the question of who is liable for the accident always comes up. According to the most seasoned Houston personal injury attorneys, the answer to this question depends on many factors, including where you slip and why you slip. For instance, slips and falls on public property are very different from slips and falls in a store.
The property owner’s responsibility in case of a slip and fall
When it comes to slip and fall accidents, most people are quick to blame the property owner, but slip and fall cases can be more complicated than they may seem. Property owners have a responsibility to make sure their properties are safe for visitors and tenants. However, slip and fall accidents caused by third parties or natural conditions beyond the control of property owners do not always result in liability. Rather, slip and fall accidents are highly fact-intensive claims, so it is important to determine whether the slip and fall accident occurred on property that was in a safe condition or if there were negligent actions taken by someone else that contributed to your slip.
● Conditions Under the Control of the Owner
If the slip and fall accident occurred because of something under the control of the owner, then you have a strong slip and fall accident claim. For example, if slip and fall caused by a slippery substance that was left on the floor or a puddle of water that wasn’t cleaned up is something under the control of the property owner then they have a concrete responsibility to maintain their properties in safe conditions.
● Other Forces
However, slip and falls do not always occur because of something under the control of a property owner. Sometimes slip and falls can occur because of other forces such as weather or natural events that cannot be controlled by anyone, including the property owner. For example, if you slip on ice while entering your apartment building after coming home from work in January then it would be difficult to prove that the slip and fall were caused by the negligence of the property owner.
● Natural Conditions
In addition to slip and fall accidents caused by natural conditions, slip and falls can also occur because of third-party actions beyond the control of a property owner that could include another tenant or other visitors on their properties. For example, if you slip while walking in an office building because someone spills coffee on the floor then the slip and fall accident was not caused by anything property owner-related, but rather because someone else acted negligently.
● Defective Conditions
Finally, slip and falls can also occur due to defective conditions on the premises that are out of the control of both you as a visitor or tenant and property owners alike. If there is something wrong with the stairs in an apartment building that slip and fall accidents are common, then the property owner is responsible to fix or warn of the defect.
Property owners have a responsibility to make their properties safe for visitors and tenants, but slips and falls caused by third-party actions beyond the control of property owners do not always result in liability. To determine if you can pursue legal action against a slip and fall accident, contact a slip and fall lawyer immediately.
When are the victim’s responsibilities in case of a slip and fall?
The victim’s slip and fall responsibility are to not be careless. They need to show the property owner that they did everything possible for them to keep their premises safe, including warning signs or adequate lighting. This means if there are any known hazards on the premises it is up to them to inform the property owner for them to fix it. The victim must also ensure that they are not putting themselves into a position where there is danger. They need to show the property owner that their slip and fall accident was due to a known hazard on the premises, which the property owner did nothing about.
It’s easy to say “don’t slip and fall” but slip and falls are a common accident. If you want to make sure that your injury slip and fall case is successful, it’s best to hire a slip and fall attorney who will fight for you in court. An experienced slip and fall lawyer can help determine if the property owner was negligent or not. The victim must also show the slip and fall accident was due to a known hazard that the property owner did nothing about. This is easier said than done, but there are slip and fall lawyers that can help you if your slip and fall case looks like it has no chance of winning.
If you have been injured due to someone else’s negligence or carelessness, you must know your rights. Reputable personal injury lawyers can help take the legal burden off of your shoulders and ensure that you are compensated for damages caused by another person’s lack of attention to safety. Just keep in mind that the property owner is responsible for making sure that the premises are safe.
