Slip and fall accident claims usually occur when a person falls on someone else's property. Falls can cause serious injuries, particularly to the elderly. Falls can cause major fractures and are among the leading of spinal cord and brain injury.  There can be many causes of a fall including in part objects on a floor, slippery surfaces, poor lighting, floor defects, building and construction defects. The most common type of slip and fall claim involves a person slipping on a foreign substance while shopping at a business. With some exceptions, the owner or occupant a premise must use ordinary care to avoid injury, to make an unsafe condition reasonably safe, and to warn of unsafe conditions.  

Slip and fall cases can involve complex legal, factual, and evidentiary issues that should be thoroughly evaluated. Some of these issues include the following.

• What activity was being performed at the time of the accident?

• Where was the activity being performed?

• What were the conditions at the time of the fall?

• Was the floor properly constructed?

• What type of shoes were you wearing?

• Was there a defective or improper floor surface?

• Did the accident occur on a stairway or step?

• Did stairway conform to building codes and designed properly?

• Was the floor slippery because of improper cleaning or waxing?

• Was there a foreign substance on the floor?

• How long had the foreign substance been on the floor?

• Did anyone know about the foreign substance?

• Was there a defective carpet?

• Was there improper lighting?

• Was there an elevation change not properly marked?

• Was there any other unusual factors?

• Were the handrails on steps properly installed and maintained?

• Did the accident occur in a business or private home?

• Did the injured person have prior knowledge about the risk?

• Were there any warning signs?

• Did the injured person make any statements?

• Did the injured person sign any releases?

• Did the injured person compromise their rights by making a statement?

• Were  photographs or a video taken of the accident scene?

• Were the names and addresses of potential witness obtained?

If you, a friend, or loved are injured by a slip and/or fall, do not make any statements or sign a release. Consider the suggestions in our accident guide, and call us immediately for an evaluation of your case. We are here to help. You can call us at (757) 595-8100 seven days a week, 24 hours a day, everyday of the year. We also offer a free legal-infoline service, and you can now contact us on this web site by using our Personal Injury Contact form. We are committed to doing the extra things it takes to help our clients.