As one of the wettest states in the nation, Floridians are used to spontaneous rain and severe thunderstorms. It’s not uncommon to see puddles everywhere you go. While puddles may be fun to splash around in, they can turn into a premises liability nightmare for property owners.
Puddles can cost property owners and pedestrians alike a great deal. Learn more about premises liability, slip and fall accidents, and what to do if you find yourself on either end of this scenario.
What injuries are caused by slip and fall accidents?
Slip and fall accidents can cause more severe injuries than you might think. Premises liability slip and fall claims have been filed due to injuries such as:
- Traumatic brain injuries
- Broken arms and legs
- Torn ligaments
- Cuts and bruises
- Back pain
- Hip fractures
- Skull fractures
All of these injuries could happen because of one puddle. According to the National Floor Safety Institute, falls account for roughly eight million hospital emergency room visits every year and approximately one million of these were caused by slip and falls.
Property owners would do well to take care of any puddles so they can avoid a potential premises liability lawsuit over a slip and fall accident.
Common Locations for Slip and Fall Accidents
Have you slipped and fell on a puddle and injured yourself? If so, you may have grounds to file a personal injury lawsuit and seek compensation for your damages.
Many premises liability claims stem from slip and fall accidents caused by unattended puddles in the following places:
- Grocery stores
- Sidewalks
- Parking lots
- Theaters
- Construction sites
- Parks
- Business offices
- Private residences
When it rains, puddles can easily accumulate outside of an entrance, or even inside when water gets tracked in with foot traffic. Property owners, managers, and agents have a responsibility to take care of standing water as soon as they can to protect others from sustaining an otherwise preventable injury.
The following questions are used to determine liability in a premises liability slip and fall lawsuit:
- Did the property owner know about the puddle and fail to correct it?
- Should the property owner have known about the puddle and take the steps of a “reasonable person” to prevent injuries from occurring?
- Did the property owner create a dangerous condition that led to the circumstances that caused the accident?
If any of the above is true, the property owner could be found liable for the injuries sustained in the slip and fall accident.
Did you slip on a puddle? Contact an experienced Florida premises liability lawyer today.
If you sustained injuries from a slip and fall accident caused by a puddle or other unsafe conditions, you may have the right to seek compensation for your damages. Our experienced Florida premises liability lawyers can fight for your rights as a victim and help you claim the compensation you deserve.
Contact Lytal, Reiter, Smith, Ivey, and Fronrath at (561) 655-1990 today to schedule your risk-free case evaluation. We’ll learn more about your accident, answer any questions you may have, and inform you of your legal rights and possible next steps. We look forward to assisting you.
