Who is responsible in a slip and fall accident?

There are many clumsy people in this world. However, the risk of an injury in a dangerous slip and fall accident increases if there are negligent property conditions. Many people in Massachusetts who have been injured in such an accident likely have experienced the financial ramifications of their injury. However, those who have been injured as a result of negligent property conditions may have legal remedies available to them.

A slip and fall accident is typically considered a premises liability issue. If dangerous property conditions — such as a wet floor, poor lighting, torn carpeting or another potential hazard — caused a person’s injuries, the property owner could face claims for financial liability. In order to collect, some sort of injury must have resulted from the fall, and the injured party must prove that the property owner was negligent.

There are several ways to meet this criteria. For example, negligence could be proven if it can be shown that the owner created the condition, that the owner knew about the condition and failed to fix it or that the dangerous condition existed long enough that the owner should have been aware of it. The owner could be found liable whether the property is residential, commercial or government.

Those who have been a victim of a slip and fall accident in Massachusetts are likely aware of the potential long term consequences that such an accident could cause. In addition to medical bills, those injured in such a manner may never be able to return to work in the same capacity and/or may face ongoing pain and suffering. An experienced attorney could help determine the merits of civil litigation as well as help pursue an appropriate course of action.

Source: Findlaw, “Slip and Fall Accidents Overview“, Accessed on Feb. 6, 2015