Property owners have a responsibility to others. They need to make sure that their properties are maintained and that anyone who comes onto the property isn’t going to fall and get hurt.
If a railing breaks as someone walks up a staircase or a balcony’s parapet snaps as someone leans against it, there is a real risk that someone could fall and get hurt.
As the season turns to fall, now is a good time to discuss what you can do if you slip and fall because of autumn-related conditions. The leaves may begin to turn, and the evenings will be getting chillier, so there is a chance that you could see slick, wet leaves on the ground, puddles, and, by the time winter rolls around, even some icy areas.
What are your options if you slip and fall as you walk onto a property?
You have a few different options if you slip and fall when you’re visiting another property.
First, if you are at a friend’s home or family member’s property, you may want to talk to them about making a claim against their homeowner’s insurance. This kind of insurance usually provides support if someone is hurt accidentally on the property.
Second, for those who are not hurt on a friend or family member’s property but instead a business’s property, you may want to look into making a personal injury claim against the company. This claim, a premises liability claim, may state that the company was negligent in some way, such as by not clearing wet leaves or not repairing a stair that broke and caused a fall.
A third option could be to hold a third party accountable. For example, if a contractor is working on the property and their actions lead to a fall, you might be able to hold them responsible.
Find out who’s responsible for your fall and make a claim
It’s a good idea to take some time to figure out who’s responsible for the fall before you make a claim. Your attorney can go over this with you and help you determine if you can pursue a claim against a business owner, property owner or other party.