Before you know it, fall will be gone and winter will be quickly ascending. For this reason, it is important to understand how to keep your home or your commercial property safe from slip and fall hazards, as the weather will soon be working against you. Snow, rain, hail and ice are all conditions that could leave you susceptible to a costly premises liability lawsuit if a visitor happens to slip and fall while on your property—even if the dangerous conditions were brought on by something out of your control.
The Consumer Product Safety Commission reports that more than one million people flood emergency rooms each year due to slip and fall accidents, and that this type of accident is actually one of the most common reasons for an ER visit. One single incident could cost the negligent property owner an average of $28,000, so it is important to make sure that you are protected and that your visitors are kept safe in the upcoming winter months.
First and foremost, you should make sure that high-traffic areas like walkways, stairways and doorways are adequately maintained at all times. By keeping snow and ice from building up and by removing any hazardous debris that could pose a threat to incoming visitors, you may greatly reduce the risk of a slip and fall accident from occurring on your property. Secondly, make sure that all concrete and brickwork is kept is good condition.
Holes and cracks may bring the potential for water and ice to build up and even for an unsuspecting pedestrian to trip and fall. Similarly, gutters should be inspected regularly to reduce the risk of excess water build-up. Finally, you should always make sure that there is adequate lighting both in and around your property. By replacing any faulty light bulbs and installing proper lighting where needed, visitors will be able to more easily navigate their way around any dangerous conditions.
By taking the time to inspect and repair these potentially hazardous conditions as they arise, you can ensure that your visitors will be kept safe in the approaching winter months and that you will be able to avoid being involved in any future litigation.
If, however, you have already had the misfortune of suffering a serious injury on another person’s negligently maintained property, you should know that you have rights. By consulting with an experienced personal injury attorney from our firm, you may have the opportunity to pursue compensation for the harm that you have been forced to endure.
Whether you have been involved in a slip and fall accident on a residential property or in a commercially owned business, every property owner has a duty to keep their visitors safe. As such, you should not hesitate to consult with a legal professional immediately and review the facts of your case.
