It is an unfortunate reality that you may not be safe upon exiting your home and entering another party’s property. That is, hazards may be present where you least expect them. And such hazards may cause you to slip and fall. Continue reading to learn the most common locations for this type of accident and how an experienced Washington, D.C. slip and fall lawyer at Simeone & Miller, LLP can help you hold a property owner accountable.
What are the most common locations for slip and fall accidents?
Both public and private properties alike may contain hazardous conditions if not properly maintained. The following are the most common locations for slip and fall accidents to occur in Washington, D.C.:
- A retail store.
- A restaurant.
- A grocery store.
- An airport.
- A hospital.
- A school.
- A stadium.
- A nursing home.
- An office building.
- A government building.
- Someone else’s home.
With that being said, such hazards may be present just about anywhere within these aforementioned locations. Examples include a location’s stairways, elevators or escalators, entranceways, parking lots, sidewalks, and walkways.
What are the most common reasons for slip and fall accidents?
A place of business that you frequent may be seemingly safe. But in reality, there may be external factors that make the premises potentially dangerous. For example, the premises may not meet established building codes. Without further ado, below are more common reasons why a slip and fall accident may occur:
- There may be a loose railing or a missing step on a stairway.
- There may be a defective part in an elevator or escalator.
- There may be a malfunctioning part in an automotive doorway.
- There may be slippery flooring material in the entranceway.
- There may be potholes or cracks in the parking lot.
- There may be weather-related debris on the sidewalk.
- There may be an insufficient amount of lighting in the walkways.
- There may be an inadequate amount of security on the premises.
Can I sue a property owner for my slip and fall injury?
The short answer is, yes, you may sue a property owner, after you have been injured on their premises, via a personal injury claim.
First, for your claim, you must prove that a property owner had a duty of care to upkeep their premises. Then, you must argue that they breached this duty by failing to promptly rectify a potentially hazardous condition. Lastly, you must claim that your encounter with this hazard ultimately led to your sustaining of injuries and damages.
At the end of the day, if you require relief for your injuries and damages, then you need a skilled Washington, D.C. premises liability lawyer by your side. Contact Simeone & Miller, LLP to retain our services today.