Slip-and-fall accidents can occur suddenly and result in serious injuries ranging from broken bones to traumatic brain injuries. When these accidents happen due to dangerous conditions on someone else’s property, you may have grounds for a premises liability claim against the property owner or manager who failed to maintain safe conditions.
Understanding what constitutes a dangerous condition helps determine whether a property owner may be legally responsible for your injuries sustained in a fall.
Structural defects and maintenance failures
Structural problems and poor maintenance frequently contribute to dangerous conditions that cause falls. If you encounter uneven flooring where different surfaces meet, loose or torn carpeting that creates tripping hazards or broken tiles that catch your shoes, these can cause serious accidents. Missing or broken handrails on staircases, inadequate lighting in walkways and unexpected changes in floor elevation without proper visual cues also qualify as dangerous conditions.
Wet and slippery surfaces create fall hazards
One of the most common dangerous conditions in slip-and-fall cases involves wet or slippery surfaces that are not properly addressed. Freshly mopped floors without warning signs, spilled liquids in grocery store aisles or recently waxed surfaces without adequate notification all create substantial fall risks. Even small amounts of liquid can dramatically reduce traction, turning an ordinary walking surface into a serious hazard that can cause you to lose your footing.
Obstructed walkways and inadequate warnings
Obstacles in walking paths create dangerous conditions when they impede your normal movement through spaces designed for walking. Merchandise or extension cords stretching across aisles, debris left in hallways or items protruding into walkways force you to navigate around potential hazards. Similarly, the absence of warning signs where temporary hazards exist can constitute dangerous conditions when property owners fail to alert you to risks you cannot immediately see.
Seeking legal guidance after a slip-and-fall accident helps you understand how these dangerous conditions relate to potential liability claims and what compensation might be available for your injuries.
