When a person sustains an injury as a result of slipping or tripping due to another person’s negligence, the injured person is entitled to claim damages from the party at fault, for having allowed some dangerous condition to exist that caused the slip or trip.
Slip and fall accidents are commonly associated with ice, snow and other liquid substances.
Common at-fault parties include: grocery store owners / municipalities /commercial building owners & managers / residential building owners & managers.
Liability for injuries
A property owner – “occupier” – is obligated to provide reasonably safe premises considering the circumstances. Unsafe premises suggest a breach of the duty of care.
Breaches of this duty may include the following:
- Failure to plow, shovel or salt a driveway, walkway or staircase;
- Failure to install a handrail;
- Failure to promptly address a dangerous buildup of ice in front of a passageway;
- Failure to install appropriate matting;
- Failure to promptly mop up a liquid substance inside premises;
- Lack of or inadequate lighting