Every year millions of Americans seek medical treatment for slip and fall accidents. Although many of these cases are just unfortunate accidents, some are a direct result of someone’s negligence or reckless disregard for once well-being. At the Law Office of Olga A. Koplik, PC in Sacramento | Placer Counties, we help those who have sustained injuries through a slip and fall incident determine if their case was caused by dangerous conditions that could have been prevented.
Common Causes of Slip and Fall Accidents
Although we can help you get the compensation you deserve, the best-case scenario would have been to avoid an accident entirely. That’s why in today’s blog, we would like to discuss some of the most common causes of slip and fall incidents so you can be more aware of what to watch out for and take extra caution to avoid a potentially dangerous situation. Keep reading to learn more and if you’ve sustained injuries in a slip and fall, contact personal injury attorney Olga A. Koplik.
Poor Lighting
One of the most common causes of slips and falls has nothing to do with the walking surface at all — it has to do with the lighting in the area. When an area does not have adequate lighting, it can be easy for someone to overlook objects that are in the way or miss a step and fall down a staircase. If you’ve been injured in an area where there wasn’t enough lighting and the property owner was aware of the problem, they could be held liable.
Wet Walking Paths
Wet flooring causes a large percentage of slip and fall incidents in the United States. They can occur as a result of many different things — a drip from the ceiling, a spill, recent cleaning or mopping, and even humid weather conditions. In these instances, property owners should post a sign making people in the area aware of the hazard. For environments where moisture is a consistent problem, it would be wise to add handrails or install non-slip flooring, in addition to warning the public of its known dangerous condition.
Uneven Walking Surfaces
Floors, carpeting, or pavement that is uneven is another one of the most common causes of slip and fall accidents. They can occur when carpeting becomes worn or there’s a crack in the sidewalk that causes someone to trip. Other things such as loose floorboards, objects in walkways, or even potholes in a parking lot are other common culprits. Keep in mind that not every slip and fall accident will be the fault of the property owner. However, a personal injury lawyer like Olga A. Koplik can help review the details of your case to determine if you may be entitled to compensation.
Tripping Hazards
Another common cause of falls is from hazards that cause a person to trip. They may include things like cords or wires, tools that have been left out, produce on the floor, or just random clutter that gets in the way as someone is trying to walk. If you believe that someone has been negligent in leaving objects out that have caused you to trip and fall, it’s important to discuss your case promptly with an attorney.
Proving Negligence
Although it may be apparent to you who caused your injuries, oftentimes, slip and fall claims are difficult to prove. That’s why it's so important to have an experienced personal injury lawyer on your side. In order to claim compensation, the plaintiff in the case will need to prove four things:
The property is owned, leased, or controlled by the defendant.
The defendant was negligent in maintaining the property.
The plaintiff was physically injured.
The negligence of the defendant played a significant role in the accident.
Contact an Experienced Personal Injury Lawyer
If you’ve slipped, tripped, or fallen on another person’s property in the Sacramento | Placer area and believe that it could have been prevented, it’s important to contact an attorney as soon as possible. At the Law Office of Olga A. Koplik, PC we’ve helped people get the justice they deserve for all kinds of personal injury incidents, including slips and falls, automobile accidents, bicycle accidents, dog bites, and more.