Whether at a friend’s house or a grocery store, slip-and-fall accidents occur fairly often. In some instances, the property owner is responsible for the injured party’s injuries. The responsibility may arise from dangerous conditions on the property. This is legally known as premises liability. In other fall cases, the property owner will not be held liable.
FindLaw’s Slip-and-Fall Injuries section answers frequently asked questions (FAQ) about premises liability. In this section, you can find articles about conditions that typically lead to slip-and-fall accidents. You can also obtain information on proving fault in a slip-and-fall accident.
Conditions That Make an Accident More Likely
Slip-and-fall accidents can occur for a variety of reasons. Sometimes people simply trip and fall out of clumsiness, but there are hazardous conditions both indoors and outdoors that can make a slip-and-fall accident more likely.
Some common reasons for indoor fall claims are:
- Slippery or wet floors
- Torn or bulging carpet
- Obstructed walkways
- Missing handrails or other safety equipment
Outdoor factors can also play a role in slip-and-fall accidents:
- Inclement weather like ice and snow
- Inadequate or poor lighting
- Potholes or uneven grounding
- Poor maintenance of parking lots or sidewalks
Of course, not every type of condition will lead to a liability claim against a property owner. Generally, the owner’s liability will depend on whether they took appropriate action to correct the problem. This can include fixing the unsafe conditions or at least warning people.
For example, it’s reasonable for business owners to mop, wax, or polish their floors, but it’s also important that they provide adequate warnings or put up safety barriers. Absent extenuating circumstances, a property owner should reasonably keep their place clean without risking injury to others.
