The Center of Dieses Control and Prevention (CDC) states that about 36 million falls are reported among adults each year. About 3 million of which result in emergency room treatment. With the proper evidence and insight, a slip and fall lawsuit can prevent victims from cover the cost of medical expenses caused at the fault of another’s negligence.

Here are some common causes of slip and fall accidents that can potential result in successful slip and fall personal injury lawsuits.

Surface Hazards

These types of conditions can occur anywhere and inflict injuries on unprepared visitors. While this is a common cause of slip and fall injuries in the home, another party can be held at fault if this occurred on someone else’s property. Freshly cleaned tiles, smooth walking surfaces, damaged floorboards, and even unsecured rugs are examples of this type of hazard. 

A resulting lawsuit can follow if an individual is able to prove their injuries are the result of a wet floor or uneven surface hazard. A violation of clear safety regulations, or a property owner’s failure to fulfill a reasonable standard of care, can be the foundation of a personal injury case.

Building Structure or Conditions

The Philadelphia slip and fall attorneys at Ciccarelli Law Offices note that injuries can become more of an unnecessary risk when property owners fail to maintain or prepare their building’s structure. Some common examples are poor lighting, damaged support structures, and stray electrical cords or wires. 

Simple preventative measures should be completed by the property owner on a routine basis to mitigate the risk of injury. Failure to install proper lighting and make timely repairs can be considered potential proof of negligence in personal injury lawsuits. 

Whether it’s a failure to properly train employees and educate them on how to report and correct structural hazards or refusing to properly inspect for injury risks, property visitors aren’t expected to be financially responsible for the resulting medical expenses after a property owner is proven reasonably at fault. 

Important Qualifiers for Slip and Fall Injury Lawsuits

Some states can have specific regulations concerning these types of injuries. For example, Kentucky slip and fall laws state you have one year to file a slip and fall injury claim.

Along with establishing a type of hazard that caused the accident, slip and fall lawsuits have a few other necessary qualifiers that are important to outline and understand.

  • An injury occurred on the property. Along with proving the accident was a result of a defined hazard, the afflicted party must have enough evidence to reasonably prove the injury occurred on the property in question. 
  • Injuries or damages are the result of property owner’s negligence. This can be thought of as a property owner’s failure to take reasonable preventative safety measures. A normal and reasonable property owner would have been able to mitigate the risk that was present. This can be proven legally using medical records or witness testimonies.
  • Visitor(s) accessed the property legally. Once any individual proves they accessed the property legally, the property owner is subject to maintaining a safe environment for those who enter.