According to the National Floor Safety Institute (NFSI), throughout the U.S., falls account for over eight million hospital emergency room visits. In Florida, according to the Florida Department of Health, falls are the leading cause of injury death among Florida residents ages 65 years and older and the fourth leading cause of injury death overall. Further, falls are the leading cause of non-fatal, injury-related hospital admissions in Florida.
Florida businesses and property owners have a legal duty to take measures to reduce the risk of a slip and fall accident. If negligence caused your accident, you may be able to hold the property owner liable. Though, for injured victims, it can often be difficult to know whether negligence actually played any role in the accident. To help bring clarity to this issue, read more for a list of four of the most common signs of negligence.
Lack of warning signs
Be sure to take a look at what type of warning signs (if any) were in the accident location at the time you fell. Property owners must mark unsafe areas with obvious warning signs. Putting up a warning sign does not necessarily free a property owner from being liable for a slip and fall accident. Though, the lack of an adequate warning sign strongly suggests negligence.
Clutter or debris left in walking surfaces
Walking surfaces should always be clear of any clutter and random debris. If you tripped over an unseen extension cord that was haphazardly strung through a hallway, it’s likely negligence. The person who was responsible for the property should have taken steps to ensure that you, as a customer or invited guest, could have walked through a standard walking path without facing injury risk from random clutter or debris.
Poor visibility
Not all signs of slip and fall accident negligence are on the floor. Another common warning sign that indicates negligence is poor lighting. This is a large problem in stairwells and other places that can become extremely dark. Businesses and property owners have a duty to ensure that lights are both adequate and repaired in a timely manner. Law requires them to protect people from the safety risks posed by poor lighting.
Contact a Personal Injury Attorney for a Free Consultation
Getting legal help for a slip and fall case is important, since it helps ensure that you follow the correct procedure for filing a personal injury claim. If you believe you have a slip and fall case, please contact Harrell & Harrell today. Our personal injury lawyers in Jacksonville can provide you with a free consultation, which involves going over detailed information to determine if you have a case.