Slip and fall accidents are responsible for thousands of injuries and deaths annually. Although slipping and falling is more prevalent in Massachusetts during the winter – when roads and walkways tend to be covered in snow or ice – a variety of other conditions can increase the risk of slip and fall accidents. If you slipped or tripped due to a property owner’s negligence.
Common Causes of Slip and Fall Accidents
If a property owner’s failure to appropriately maintain his or her premises has caused you harm, you may be entitled to damages for pain and suffering, lost wages, and medical expenses. The conditions below are commonly cited in slip and fall lawsuits every year. If you have been injured in any type of accident, contact a Boston personal injury lawyer today. Poor lighting: Inadequate lighting in parking lots, walkways, and in any type of building, can lead to slip and fall accidents. Poor lighting can result in falls down stairs, tripping over curbs, and tripping on uneven surfaces, ground cracks, and holes. As with any type of slip and fall injury, the owner is generally only liable if he or she knew about the problem – or should have known about the problem – and failed to fix it.
Parking lots: A parking lot should be properly maintained in such a way that it is consistently safe for all who use it. In addition to filling cracks and holes and fixing uneven surfaces, parking lot owners must keep lots clear of excessive snow and ice, with an exception for “natural accumulation”. See below for more information on natural accumulation.
Ice and snow: If snow is falling heavily for an extended period of time, it would be unreasonable for a property owner to have to keep parking lots and walkways entirely clear of snow. This is called natural accumulation – it should be managed, but doesn’t need to be cleared completely. Unnatural accumulation, however, is a different story altogether. For example, if heavy snowfall piles on the roof and later falls onto a walkway, partially blocking a doorway, a resulting slip and fall injury could be grounds for a lawsuit.
Sidewalks and walkways: Public sidewalks are generally the responsibility of a city or town. However, if you are injured in a slip and fall accident on a sidewalk outside of a business, the business may still be responsible. If the sidewalk is used exclusively by customers of a business, some courts may still impose liability on that business. And if the sidewalks or walkways are privately owned, the business owner will almost certainly be responsible if you are injured due to poor conditions.
Altman & Altman, LLP – Personal Injury Lawyers Serving All of Massachusetts
If you have been injured due to the negligence of another, the skilled legal team at Altman & Altman, LLP can help. It is the responsibility of business owners to keep public spaces reasonably safe. When they fail to do this, they should be held accountable for their actions. Our attorneys have an impressive track record of obtaining compensation for clients. If you have been injured, you may be entitled to compensation for pain and suffering, medical expenses, and lost wages. We will make sure you understand your rights and options before moving forward with your case. Contact Altman & Altman, LLP today for a free and confidential consultation about your case.