To have valid grounds to sue someone else over a slip and fall injury, you will need to prove that your injury likely would not have happened without a specific reckless or careless act by whoever you are suing. However, in the process of demonstrating this, you will also need to establish exactly what type of accident led to your injury. Therefore, it is important to understand what kinds of situations can present valid grounds for a slip and fall claim. Our talented slip and fall attorneys at The Law Offices of David W. Holub are knowledgeable about the common causes of slip and falls in Merrillville and could help you file a civil suit over your accident.
Structural Flaws in Flooring
Whether it is a loose or splintered floorboard, a cracked or broken hunk of concrete, or even a torn or frayed piece of carpeting laid over some other material, structural problems in walkways are a common cause of Merrillville slip and falls. Likewise, flaws in stairways such as misaligned steps, risers of uneven heights, and loose or missing handrails can potentially serve as grounds for legal action if they directly lead to an otherwise avoidable slip and fall injury.
Standing Water or Ice
Of course, a business owner who waxes a tile floor without warning customers about it or fails to clean up a spill in a store aisle for hours can be held liable for any injuries resulting from their substandard property management. However, many people are not aware that landowners are also responsible for addressing water and ice buildup on their property, which is another common cause of Merrillville slip and falls. If a property owner fails to do so and someone is injured as a result, the injured person may have grounds to sue.
Cluttered or Debris-Filled Walkways
In addition to keeping walkways in good physical condition and warning visitors about known dangers such as wet floors, landowners are also expected to ensure that walkways are free of trash, debris, and protruding objects such as boxes, as well as loose tripping hazards such as unsecured electrical cords. Hazards like these are common causes of slip and falls, and if they result in someone suffering an injury, a Merrillville lawyer from our team could help the injured person proactively file suit.
Lack of Sufficient Lighting
One more common cause of Merrillville slip and falls is a lack of lighting, and more specifically, a failure by a landowner to ensure that walkways are well lit before sunrise and after sunset so visitors can see where they are placing their feet. Both a failure to repair broken light fixtures and a failure to install light fixtures at all can potentially qualify as negligent property management if they are the main cause of an otherwise preventable accident.
Contact a Merrillville Lawyer About Common Causes of Slip and Falls
These are just some of the many ways a landowner’s negligence could lead to a visitor on their land suffering avoidable harm. What these and other common causes of slip and falls in Merrillville have in common, however, is that they can all be deceptively difficult to take legal action over without guidance from a seasoned legal professional.
Our team has the knowledge and experience necessary to guide you through every step of your claim and maximize your chances of securing the compensation you need. Call The Law Offices of David W. Holub today to learn more.