Getting injured in any accident can be painful, damaging, and frustrating, especially if the accident could have been avoided. When a personal injury occurs as a result of someone else’s negligence, you need to be aware of your rights and find out what the next steps you should take include. If you were injured in a slip and fall accident, know that they are categorized under the broad umbrella of premises liability. With the right representation and evidence, you can seek compensation for your damages from the property owner whose negligence caused your accident. Work with a New Jersey premises liability lawyer to find out your rights.
Where and How Can Slip and Falls Occur?
Wet floors or other hazards can be found anywhere. The most common public places where a slip and fall accident may occur include:
- Grocery stores
- Malls
- Restaurants
- Airports
- Office buildings
- Schools
- Gyms
- Churches or other places of worship
Unexpected hazards can arise in any of these places. Frequent reasons for slip and falls in these places include wet floors due to cleaning or spilled liquids, broken pipes, lack of traction on the floor, freshly painted floors or stairs, loose floorboards, loose rugs or mats, exposed wires, and uneven surfaces including cracks, potholes, and carpeting.
When you go to a store or restaurant, you shouldn’t have to feel afraid that you could come across a hazard at any turn. There is a certain expectation that the property owner will provide their customers and visitors with a safe environment. This relates to premise liability.
What is Premise Liability?
In New Jersey, slip and fall injuries fall under premise liability law. Premise liability requires that commercial businesses protect their guests when possible from dangerous situations by warning them of the hazards. The law analyzes the levels of liability a property owner potentially has for a customer or visitor’s injuries.
A major factor that is considered when dealing with premise liability is determining whether or not the hazard was reasonably foreseeable. If a customer spills a drink on the floor, it is unrealistic to expect the company to be aware of it and begin warning people within seconds. However, they do have a responsibility to monitor the property regularly to ensure the safety of customers. So at a certain point, one or more employees should be aware and begin working to clean the spill or warn people about potential dangers.
Should I Hire a Lawyer for My Slip and Fall?
If you are injured due to a slip and fall accident you should seek legal counsel to determine if and when you should file an insurance claim or lawsuit. An experienced lawyer will be aware of your rights and the responsibilities of the property owner. They can analyze the circumstances of your accident and decide the best way forward in building your case and fighting for your compensation.
