Jesus Sanchez is suing Home Depot for injuries he sustained in a slip and fall accident in one of the store’s Florida locations. Sanchez claims he suffered damages due to the store’s failure to provide a safe environment. According to his claim, Sanchez was injured when he tripped on plastic wrapping left on the floor of one of the aisles. The defendant allegedly failed to provide adequate warning of a dangerous condition in one of the aisles, and to resolve the dangerous condition in a timely manner.
Store Liability in Slip and Fall Accidents
In order to determine whether a store is liable for your slip and fall injury, several factors must be considered. Did a dangerous condition exist? Did the store owner, manager, or landlord know about the dangerous condition? Did the store owner, manager, or landlord make a reasonable attempt to remedy the dangerous condition? Did you suffer damages? All of these questions will be addressed in a slip and fall case.
Take the above case for example. If a store manager knew about the plastic wrap on the floor but decided to take her lunch break before removing it, Sanchez’s injury claim may be successful. However, if the plastic wrap had been left on the floor because an employee was responding to an urgent situation in another aisle, and it had only been there for two or three minutes, Sanchez isn’t likely to receive a substantial award for his damages.
Slip and fall accidents in stores are commonly caused by spilled liquids or slippery substances, debris in aisles, uneven pavement or walkways, and icy or snowy walkways. Stores have a duty to maintain reasonably safe conditions at all times. When an unsafe condition in a store results in injury, the plaintiff may be compensated. However, whether he is compensated, and how much he is compensated, is largely dependent on the unique details of the case. A Boston personal injury attorney can help you determine how to proceed if you’ve been injured in a slip and fall accident.
Slip and Fall Accident Statistics
Slips, trips, and falls are a leading cause of personal injury claims in the United States, accounting for 15 percent of all accidental deaths. Anyone can be injured in a slip and fall accident, but who is most at risk? And where are slip and fall accidents most likely to occur?
- Approximately one million Americans are injured in a slip and fall accident annually.
- Among older Americans, slip and fall accidents are the most common cause of traumatic brain injuries (TBIs).
- About 65 percent of all slip and fall accidents occur on same-level walking surfaces, not from higher levels.
- Falls are the second leading cause of accidental death among people between the ages of 65 and 84.
- Falls are the leading cause of accidental death for people aged 85 years and older.
- Annually, more than 60 percent of nursing home residents fall.
- Approximately 85 percent of workers’ comp claims arise from workers falling on slick or slippery floors.
- In the U.S. alone, fall-related injuries are estimated to cost up to $14 million annually.
A MA slip and fall lawyer can help you recover damages if you’ve been injured due to another’s negligence.
Altman & Altman, LLP – Boston’s Premier Personal Injury Law Firm
If you have been injured in a slip and fall accident, the skilled legal team at Altman & Altman, LLP can help. We have been protecting the rights of accident and injury victims for more than 50 years. You may be entitled to compensation for medical expenses, pain and suffering, and lost wages. Our experienced, knowledgeable attorneys will ensure that you fully understand your rights and options before moving forward, and we’ll remain by your side throughout the entire process. Don’t go through this difficult time alone. Contact Altman & Altman, LLP today for a free and confidential consultation about your case.