Being involved in a slip and fall accident can be a stressful experience as you have to deal with financial costs as well as the pain from your injuries. If you have experienced a fall in an office building, you may be eligible to file a premises liability claim against the building or property manager to receive compensation for your damages and injuries.
Slip and fall hazards can occur either inside the commercial building or within the premises of the building. Several causes of these types of accidents include:
- Wet and slippery flooring due to spillage or cleaning
- Slick marble flooring
- Torn or worn-out carpeting
- Broken staircase or missing handrails
- Unrepaired or malfunctioning escalators and elevators
- Poor or dimly lit hallways
- Electrical cords or wire cluttering the floor or hallways
- Hazardous objects placed in the common area
- Uneven pavements or potholes in parking lots
Determining the Liability and Filing a Claim
Any entity that owns a property has a responsibility to keep the building safe for patrons and visitors. Office building owners or property managers share this responsibility to keep the building and surrounding area reasonably safe from any hazardous obstacles, conduct regular inspections and maintenance, and engage in the necessary overall upkeep of the building. Any failure in fulfilling this duty can give rise to hazardous circumstances that can result in a slip and fall accident. If the owner or manager was aware of the danger and acted negligently in fixing the issue and such negligence contributed to your fall, then they can be held liable for your injuries. There are other parties as well that may be at fault and could have contributed to your accident. Such parties include management companies, third-party contractors, building security companies, etc.
A victim is eligible to file for claims compensation regardless of if they were an employee working in the office building, or a guest visiting the commercial complex. In order to file a claim, you have to prove negligence by providing evidence that the liable party was aware of the hazard but failed to correct it, or provide any warning signs or notice informing you about the danger.
How can a Good Personal Injury Lawyer Assist You?
As the burden of proving negligence lies on the plaintiff in the slip, trip, and fall accidents, it is strongly recommended to hire a personal injury lawyer who has the necessary skills to file your claim while protecting your legal rights. A personal injury attorney has the required knowledge and expertise in handling complex accident claims. Sometimes the insurance companies may contact you early on and offer you a lower settlement. Therefore, it is best to have an experienced lawyer by your side who can deal with the insurance companies on your behalf, negotiate settlements, and assist in any necessary litigations so that you receive the financial assistance you rightfully deserve.