You may not even consider yourself to be a clumsy person. But even still, you may find yourself slipping, tripping, or falling as you navigate yourself through someone else’s property. This may even be regardless of whether the premises you chose to enter are seemingly safe. Follow along to find out the most common causes of this accident type and how a proficient St. Mary’s County slip and fall lawyer at The Dorsey Law Firm can help you hold the appropriate party accountable.
What are the most common causes of a slip and fall accident seen in Maryland?
The slightest flaw present in someone else’s premises may be the catalyst of your slip and fall accident. Unfortunately, such flaws may not be noticeable or even visible, as you walk through this new, unknown space. Without further ado, the most common causes of this accident type seen in the state of Maryland are as follows:
- Slippery walkways without proper warning signage may increase one’s likelihood of slipping and falling.
- Cracked, broken, or uneven surfaces may increase one’s likeliness of improper footing.
- Loose or lifted carpeting may increase one’s likeliness of snagging a toe, foot, or shoe.
- Cluttered walkways may increase one’s likeliness of snagging a toe, foot, or shoe.
- Steps without railings may hinder one’s balance when walking up and down them.
- Dim lighting may fail to illuminate slip, trip, and fall hazards along the walkways.
Why are property owners most likely to blame for slips and falls?
As you may likely conclude from the above examples, the most common causes of slip and fall accidents usually involve a property owner’s negligence. For example, a property owner may have been negligent in posting a “wet floor sign” on their slippery walkway. Or, they have been negligent in replacing light bulbs or lighting fixtures before welcoming guests over.
Overall, a property owner has a duty of care to ensure their premises are clear of potential safety hazards. And if any such hazards are identified, they have to rectify or remove them from their premises in a timely manner. Of note, this duty is expected to be upheld by everyone who owns property in the state of Maryland, without exception.
So, if a property owner breaches their duty of care, and you slip and fall as a result, you may have grounds to file a personal injury claim against them. This is so long as you can effectively prove that your bodily injuries and property damages exist as a direct result of a property owner’s negligence.
In conclusion, you cannot enter your slip and fall claim proceedings without the strong legal representation of a talented Leonardtown personal injury lawyer. So please contact our office, The Dorsey Law Firm, today.
