Negligence in Slip & Fall Accidents
Posted Saturday, March 15, 2014 by Chris Thayer
The facts of your slip and fall case will dictate the focus your Seattle slip and fall attorney will take when arguing the merits of your claim. Negligence is a major component of many slip and fall accidents.
Negligence Defined
For the purposes of a personal injury claim, negligence refers to the lack of reasonable care used to ensure that a premises is safe. Reasonable care refers to the care that a reasonable person would be expected to take in the given situation. The defendant in a slip and fall negligence case may be an individual or entity, such as a supermarket. If, for instance, you are injured in a slip and fall due to a spill that was not cleaned up in the supermarket, the manager or store would be liable if adequate time had elapsed for the spill to be cleaned up.
Elements Leading to a Slip and Fall Negligence Claim
Your injury lawyer in Seattle will discuss your case with you and determine which elements best support your claim. A negligence claim may occur in a number of ways, including:
- Failure to properly inspect the premises
- Failure to determine that a condition is unsafe and correct it
- Violations of building codes or governmental regulations pertaining to such matters as constructing or maintaining the premises
- Failure to make sure that the premises is free of obstructions or objects that create risk of injury
- Lack of training of staff in the operation and maintenance of the premises
- Failure to notify customers of unsafe conditions that exist
- Failure to repair and maintain equipment and appliances, the result of which could reasonably lead to injury
- If a condition is likely to occur on a regular basis, such as stocking, that can cause a dangerous situation, failure to conduct this at a time or in a way that removes the said danger
It is important to keep in mind that you cannot sue a person or entity on the basis of a potential for injury. An injury accident must have occurred. In other words, as plaintiff you must have suffered some sort of loss as a result of the slip and fall accident.
For Further Information or Assistance with a Slip and Fall Accident
Slip and fall accident claims can involve complex information, and as such it may be in your best interests to work with a Seattle slip and fall attorney if you have been injured. Contact Chris Thayer today.