What is a Slip and Fall?
The terms “slip and fall” and “trip and fall” are commonly used to describe the mechanism of injury. Whenever you come into a business or onto someone else’s property, the business owner or property owner has a responsibility to make sure you are safe and not subject to any unreasonable harm. Most premises liability injuries happen when someone falls when on someone else’s property.
Who is at Fault in Slip and Fall Case?
When a customer walks into a store, the customer is what the law calls a “business invitee” or a person who is entering the property for the benefit of the business. The benefit to the business is that you are there to spend your money. You are a business invitee when you go to the grocery store such as Kroger, Tomb Thumb, and when you go to stores such as Wal-Mart, Home Depot, or any restaurant like McDonald’s or Subway. These store owners and franchises make billions of dollars off of you, the customer. In exchange, the premises need to be safe and maintained in a condition that is free of hazards.
The law requires that a business owner and its employees take measures to prevent you from injuring yourself due to an unsafe condition that the business knows about or should know about. If the business owner or its employees creates an unsafe condition, this is also a basis for liability. Many trips and falls and slip and falls happen due to faulty construction or maintenance of buildings and parking lots.
Governments, including city and county governments, are responsible for making sure the streets and sidewalks are safe for the public. The term “risers” refers to areas of sidewalks that are raised or depressed an inch or more, which creates a trip hazard. Slippery conditions also can be the basis for premises liability in certain circumstances. If you rent, the common areas of your apartment or house must also be maintained by the landlord to prevent injuries to tenants.
Get Help from a Dallas Slip and Fall Attorney Today
At the Law Firm of Jessica B. Davis we focus on the well-being of our clients. To learn more about how we can help you with your own claim, please contact us and talk to one of our dedicated slip and fall accident lawyers today.