Liability in Slip-and-Fall Accidents
Slip-and-fall accidents are relatively common, especially during the winter months. Many of these falls occur on wet/icy surfaces, and a certain percentage may occur due to negligence on behalf of a property owner. However, a slip-and-fall, even in a public space, does not automatically mean the victim is eligible to file suit and receive compensation; many times, a property owner was not reasonably aware of a particular hazard and, therefore, unable to repair it. These cases can be quite complex and depend on a number of particular factors, so it is imperative to get in touch with a personal injury attorney to begin working out the details.
Although exactly when a slip-and-fall accident becomes an issue of liability can vary greatly, all resulting cases seek to prove one underlying point: that the victim was injured due to the property owner’s negligence/carelessness. Three particular factors are generally required to place legal liability on the property owner:
- He/she was directly responsible for a slippery surface;
- He/she was aware of a potential risk for a surface to become slippery and pose a hazard;
- He/she knew that a surface was hazardous but ignored or failed to resolve the issue within a reasonable time frame.
Owners of public property are responsible for taking “reasonable” steps to keep their properties safe. However, they may not be held liable for injuries caused by hazards which they did not have reasonable time to address. If an individual falls on a slippery surface of which the property owner was aware for only a few minutes, they likely will not be held accountable; but if they were aware of the slippery surface for hours or even days without removing the hazard, they may certainly be held accountable. Every case is different and, due to their complexity, should always be approached the right way – contact an experienced personal injury attorney today to determine whether you have a case.
If you or a loved one has been injured in a slip-and-fall accident, contact 844 See Mike, LLC for a free consultation. We are a Chicago-based injury law firm representing individuals (and their families) who have suffered an injury in an accident. We will handle your case quickly and advise you every step of the way, and we will not hesitate to go to trial for you.
Lastly, 844 See Mike is not paid attorneys’ fees unless we win your case. Our no-fee promise is that simple. You have nothing to risk when you hire us – only the opportunity to seek justice.
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