Most Common Slip and Fall Locations
A slip and fall accident is a common type of accident that can happen to anybody. Elderly people are perhaps more prone to falling, but the truth is that under the right circumstances, a person of any age can incur injuries in a slip and fall.
In a slip and fall case, certain criteria must be met to pursue a claim under premises liability law. The owner of a property is responsible for maintaining it and keeping it safe for those using it. If a safety risk exists, then sufficient warning of the hazard must be given. If it can be proven that the owner of the property caused the unsafe conditions due to negligence, or knew about a safety risk and did not act to fix it, then there are grounds for an injured party to claim compensation. Another circumstance for a slip and fall case is when a hazard exists that the property owner as a “reasonable person” should have known about and fixed. These cases are often more common and more difficult to prove.
High Risk Slip and Fall Locations
Wet Surfaces – Any kind of wet surface is a safety hazard. There are many circumstances to be aware of that can pose a risk for a slip and fall accident, including but not limited to:
- Pools and gymnasiums. A poolside can be very slick depending on the type of tile or concrete surface. Locker rooms and restrooms in these locations may have slippery surfaces as can work out equipment. Sweat and sports drinks can also be present.
- Restaurants and Bars/Cafes. Any food or drink spill in these locations poses a risk to patrons. Clean up can also leave surfaces slick and slippery.
- Entranceways/Steps. On rainy days, water can pool around entranceways and mats can become waterlogged. As people enter with umbrellas, the excess water will drop onto the floor.
Steps and Stairs – It can be difficult to maintain a safe environment with steps and stairs due to the following reasons:
- Snow and/or ice accumulation. Anti-slip coatings cannot function when coated with snow and ice and stairs will be slippery.
- Lighting conditions can be poor leading to missteps.
- High traffic in stairwells can cause slip and falls.
- Missing guide railings can lead to slipping.
Outdoor surfaces – Walkways, sidewalks, and parking lots.
- Snow and ice can make outdoor surfaces a risk for slip and falls.
- Uneven surfaces can cause slips and trips.
- Inadequate lighting can cause missteps.
- Cracks and potholes are safety hazards, especially at night.
New Brunswick Slip and Fall Lawyers at Harold J. Gerr Advocate for Victims of Personal Injury
If you have been injured due to someone else’s negligence, you do not have to suffer in silence. The experienced New Brunswick slip and fall lawyers at the Law Offices of Harold J. Gerr will fight on your behalf. Call us at 1-877-249-4600 for a free initial consultation, or contact us online. We also make home visits if you are unable to travel due to your injuries. Our offices are located in Highland Park, New Jersey, and we serve clients in Middlesex County, including the communities of New Brunswick, Edison, Somerset, South River, Sayreville and Middlesex.
