Slip and Falls

A “slip and fall” is a common term used to describe a personal injury case where an individual slips and falls as a result of a dangerous condition while on another’s property.  Slip and fall incidents often arise as a result of unsafe conditions such as wet floors, greasy floors, overly polished floors, and floors littered with food.  Slip and falls are also sometimes referred to as “trip and fall” incidents.  However, “trip and fall” incidents more typically occur as a result of the negligent maintenance of a property or a structural defect that causes an individual to trip.  Uneven walkways, potholes, broken asphalt, broken sidewalks, torn and crumpled carpeting, and uneven steps are all examples of common hazards the can cause a “trip and fall.”

“Slip and falls” and “trip and falls” fall into a broader category of cases known as premises liability cases.  Premises liability arises from accidents and injuries that are caused by dangerous conditions on someone’s property.

When restaurants, grocery stores, homeowners, malls, shops, and other commercial establishments that allow or invite others onto their property fail to provide a safe environment for their customers and visitors, they are responsible for the injuries and damages that result. The responsible parties may include land or building owners, tenants, maintenance companies, manufacturers, and others. On many occasions there are multiple responsible parties. The accidents are often complex with multiple contributing factors which need to be analyzed and understood by experienced attorneys to increase your chances of a successful claim.

If you or a loved one are injured on another’s premises, it is important to take the following initial steps to help preserve critical evidence: