Common Causes of Slip and Fall Accidents in Western New York

One momentary hazard can be enough to cause a serious slip and fall accident that could leave you with lasting consequences. If your injury occurred due to the negligence of the property owner, you may be entitled to substantial financial compensation. Slip and fall cases have a reputation of being difficult legal actions, and you need the help of an experienced lawyer to put yourself in the strongest possible legal position. Here are some common causes of slip and fall accidents that occur in western New York.

Slippery Floors

Floors may become slippery for a number of reasons. Someone may have spilled a substance on the floor in an accident. Alternatively, foot traffic may have tracked water onto the floor that has pooled. The property owner has an obligation to either clear the water or place very clear warning signs near it.

Debris in a Walking Path

Someone may have left obstructions in a path on which you were supposed to walk. If it was a third party, the property owner would be responsible for clearing the debris within a reasonable amount of time after they knew or should have known about it. If the owner themselves was responsible for the debris, they would be considered negligent in a lawsuit.

Poor Lighting

To be able to safely walk in an area, you need to be able to see where you are going. The property owner must have adequate lighting for you to be able to guide yourself. If you are walking in an area which is dark, you would be more likely to fall. Allowing customers to walk in an unlit area could be an example of property owner negligence.

Broken Flooring

There could be loose tiles on a floor that shift under you when you are walking. Broken flooring may also include cracks in sidewalks that should have been repaired by a property owner. These may cause you to lose your footing and fall. Flooring issues may also include loose strings on a carpet that you may trip over when you are walking.

Weather Conditions

Snow during the winter months in western New York is responsible for many accidents. Business and property owners may not clear the snow and ice within a reasonable amount of time. Pedestrians may slip and fall inside of a business or in the parking lot. In either event, the property owner could be held responsible.

Lack of Adequate Signage

Customers and passersby need to be aware of potential hazards on floor surfaces. The property owner has an obligation to adequately sign the area, especially when they have knowledge of a potential danger, and you do not know. Any change in terrain or hazard on the floor should be marked with a sign.

Missing Handrails

Fall accidents could also occur on ramps and stairways. Both need to have adequate handrails to allow walkers to secure themselves. Broken or missing handrails could cause someone to fall down a ramp or stairs, leading to serious injuries.

Construction Defects

Even if the property owner was as vigilant as they should have been, it may still not have been enough to prevent a slip and fall accident. There may have been construction defects on the property. For example, broken handrails could have been the fault of the builder. Water that puddled could have been the responsibility of the company that built the roof and designed the gutters. Still, the property owner must be on the lookout for potential dangers and resolve them as soon as possible.

Contact the Hamburg Slip and Fall Accident Lawyers at Dan Chiacchia Injury Attorneys if You Are Seeking Compensation for Injuries Suffered in a Slip and Fall Incident

If you have been injured on the property of another, get legal help from the Hamburg slip and fall accident lawyers at Dan Chiacchia Injury Attorneys. We can investigate the cause of your accident and gather the evidence that you need to win. To schedule a free case review, submit our online contact form or call us today at 716-648-3030. We are located in Hamburg, NY.