Slip and fall accidents can cause significant injuries. If the main cause behind such an accident is the property owner’s negligence, the victim can file a lawsuit.
Understanding the common causes of slip and falls in Spring, TX can help you navigate a personal injury case. Working with an experienced attorney is key to proving the at-fault party’s negligence and receiving a fair settlement.
Causes of Slip and Fall Accidents
While some of these accidents could happen because of the person’s medical conditions or lack of attention, the most common causes of slips and falls in Spring tend to be the following.
Poorly Maintained Walkways
The owner of the property must arrange proper maintenance for all the walkways. Some examples of poor maintenance include:
- Slippery areas around pools
- Loose tiles
- Uneven flooring
- Worn-out carpets
When owners delay necessary repairs, they put visitors at risk. An attorney can use maintenance records or surveillance footage to demonstrate the existence of unsafe conditions.
Wet or Slippery Floors
Slippery surfaces are among the most common causes of slip and fall accidents in Spring. If owners of grocery stores and restaurants do not take care of spills timely, a person can receive serious injuries.
The staff members must remove the spill or place a warning sign next to the leak. Failure to do so is a clear indication of negligence. To prove such a lack of maintenance, an attorney can retrieve cleaning schedules and talk to witnesses to determine if the spill was addressed.
Inadequate Lighting
Lack of lighting can make a property dangerous, especially for children and the elderly. For example, a dark parking lot can prevent visitors from seeing hazards in time to avoid them. Property owners must ensure that all common areas are properly illuminated. Proving inadequate lighting may involve sourcing camera footage, hiring expert witnesses, and searching for evidence of previous complaints.
Unsafe Stairs and Handrails
Stairs are especially dangerous when they are not properly maintained. Some of the common issues include:
- Missing or broken handrails
- Loose steps
- Uneven risers
- Slippery stair surfaces
Property owners are responsible for keeping staircases safe and compliant with building codes. To prove this type of negligence, the attorney can present photographs and take witness statements.
Who Can File a Claim
If you were visiting the property legally (i.e., not trespassing) and sustained injuries because the owner failed to perform their duties, you can file a claim. However, the type of duty the owner owes depends on whether you are an invitee or a licensee.
An invitee is a person who was invited to the property for business purposes. The most common situation is a customer visiting a store. The owner owes the highest duty of care to invitees. This includes keeping the premises free from hazards and warning the visitor of possible dangers.
A licensee is a social guest who comes to the property for non-business purposes, like a neighbor who came in for a cup of tea is a licensee. The owner must warn licensees of possible dangers on the property, but does not have a duty to fix these issues.
Talk to an Experienced Spring, TX Attorney About Common Causes of Slip and Falls
The most common causes of slip and falls in Spring involve a property owner failing to exercise their duty of care to visitors. If this happened to you, you have the right to seek compensation. A team of skilled personal injury attorneys from Schechter Shaffer & Harris, LLP can help you receive the compensation you deserve. Call us for a free consultation today.
