Patrons naturally expect Ohio’s commercial properties to be safe to enter when conducting business or shopping, but the truth is that slip and fall accidents in and on commercial properties are quite common. Damages resulting from falls on commercial property are generally the responsibility of the property owner. Reach out to a competent Columbus slip and fall on commercial property accident attorney as soon as possible after your accident for a case evaluation and review.
Falls generally occur when claimants lose their footing or trip after catching their feet in or on some object or obstacle. In a retail store environment, slips, trips and falls are among the most common causes of injuries, notes the Centers for Disease Control (CDC). Most commercial slip and falls result from:
It is the responsibility of the building owner or his agent/manager/assignee to keep the property free from these hazards so that both patrons to a building and any employees who work in the building are not harmed or injured.
Commercial slip and fall incidents may leave behind horrific and debilitating injuries. Severe fractures and sprains are common, as are traumatic brain injuries and injuries involving the hips and spine. Emotional trauma is also common, with victims often developing a fear of future falls or even a fear of venturing out of their own homes.
It is up to the plaintiff in a commercial slip and fall case to prove that an accident is the fault of a commercial property owner, and this can be a difficult endeavor. First, it must be shown that the owner of the commercial building acted in a negligent manner that was dissimilar to the way that someone else might have acted, given the same circumstances—and this action/inaction caused your injuries.
Second, claimants must show that the at-fault building owner inadvertently did or did not do something—and that caused you to slip, fall and become injured. Just doing something (or not doing it) is not enough for a claim to be filed; an injury that is serious enough to warrant litigation must have occurred.
For instance, if the responsible person in a store allows a spill to stay on the floor long enough to create a dangerous condition, and you fall due to the spill, they may be negligent and can be held accountable for your damages if you are seriously hurt during the fall. The question that must be asked is “Did the defendant fail to render the same duty of care that a reasonable person would have rendered in order to keep the patron safe?” If the answer is no, then liability issues arise.
Seek out the help of Paulozzi LPA Injury Lawyers and its Columbus slip and fall on commercial property attorney right away to preserve your right to collect medical costs, lost wages, and other damages in your case. You can contact us for a free consultation by clicking here or calling us at 888-710-0040.
