Slip and fall accidents are some of the most common causes of injuries across the country. These incidents can occur for any number of reasons, but often happen on properties that are not properly maintained or have underlying hazards. It is essential that property owners take steps to ensure the safety of their guests and prevent slip and fall incidents. If they do not, it can lead to accidents, injuries, and legal repercussions. Continue reading for more information and speak with a knowledgeable New Jersey premises liability lawyer to secure skilled legal advice during your case.
What is Premises Liability?
Premises liability is a property owner’s legal responsibility to maintain a safe environment for people who enter the premises. Under premises liability laws, property owners are required to take reasonable steps to prevent accidents and injuries. If an individual is injured on the property due to the property owner’s negligence, the owner can be held liable for their medical expenses and other damages.
Premises liability applies to residential and commercial properties, meaning that homeowners, business owners, landlords, and more are all responsible for keeping their property reasonably free of hazards.
What Steps Can Property Owners Take to Prevent Slip and Fall Incidents?
Property owners can take a variety of steps to prevent slip and fall accidents in their home or business. While accidents can happen at any time, the following will help keep the premises safe and mitigate the risk of a fall.
- Keep the floor clear and dry: One of the most important ways to prevent slip and fall accidents is simply by keeping the floor clear of hazards. Wet or slippery floors are a common cause of slip and falls, as is debris. It is important to keep walkways clear of any potential danger.
- Perform regular inspections and maintenance: Property owners should inspect the property for hazards regularly to identify issues like uneven flooring, loose tiles or floorboards, bunching carpets, leaks, cracks, debris, etc. Early detection of potential dangers is imperative in preventing accidents. Maintenance should also be done regularly to ensure the proper functioning of all parts of the property and rectify any issues.
- Install proper lighting: Poor lighting is a contributing factor to slip and fall accidents. It can prevent people from noticing hazards like wet floors, uneven surfaces, or obstacles in their path. Property owners should ensure that all areas are well-lit, especially places like hallways, staircases, parking lots, and entrances.
- Train employees: For commercial property owners, properly training employees is crucial. They should know how to identify potential hazards, clean effectively, and maintain the premises to prevent accidents. It is also important that they know how to communicate safety concerns and help visitors avoid accidents.
Slip and fall accidents can happen anywhere, but the above steps can help prevent damage. For more information, reach out to a skilled personal injury attorney today.
