On behalf of Law Offices of Mauro Fiore, Jr. posted in Slip-and-Fall Accidents on Wednesday, August 8, 2018.
Slip-and-fall accidents happen every day due to a lack of warning signs, excessively wet floors, poorly maintained property, and a host of other reasons. However, a property owner who is accused of negligence when you slip and fall may try to shift the blame onto you. So, what are the responsibilities of an average person when it comes to this issue?
To heed directions or warnings
Say that a hotel has put up a gaggle of "wet floor" signs in its lobby and has other signs directing guests to a different walkway that is dry. If a guest ignores these warnings and directions and slips and falls in the wet area, that behavior could be irresponsible.
To avoid large or obvious displays
Say that there is a large holiday display in the middle of a store. A customer who walks right into it and who trips on it may not have a case because of the size and obviousness of the display. If you see something such as a display that is easy to step around, it may be reasonable for the store manager to expect you to do so. Now, if this display had cords or wires on the floor that you tripped over, that could be a different story.
To use your prior knowledge
If you go to an oceanfront hotel often and know its lobby is almost always wet, the hotel owner may claim that you had a responsibility to use that prior knowledge. If you, all of a sudden, decided to run across the lobby that you have almost never found to be dry and then slip and fall, you should have known better. Or so the claim may go.
To seek medical attention
Another obligation you have is to seek medical attention as soon as possible if you suffer an injury in a slip and fall. Otherwise, the property owner can claim you sustained injuries such as back pain in another incident or that delaying treatment made the injuries much worse.People who suffer injuries due to the negligence of a property owner may be able to claim compensation. However, there are many complex aspects of such cases. An experienced personal injury lawyer can review your situation and explain your legal options.