Slip & Fall Accidents & Premises Liability

Slip & Fall Accidents & Premises Liability

We see many “slip and fall” and/or “trip and fall” accident cases at indoor and outdoor malls, restaurants, pubs, fast food chains, hotels and motels, clothing retailers, home improvement centers, city government buildings, hospitals, apartment complexes, warehouses, grocery stores, coffee shops, nursing homes, even laundromats and beauty salons, and many other public and private locations where people can fall and get seriously injured. There are special laws that govern whether or not the floor, stairs, lighting or lights, handrails (if any), drains, curbs and chairs were maintained in a safe manner. We have the experience and the experts to successfully prosecute these claims against the resources and wealth of some of these businesses and insurers, particularly retailers. We use time-tested techniques against facility managers to establish that more often than not dangerous conditions and unsafe practices at these locations are generally a function of them choosing profits over safety. And, there are special laws and jury instructions that hold these entities responsible for periodic and written inspections referred to as the Ortega rule, that strictly require companies to inspect their premises and facilities at regular intervals to prevent spills, or simply a broken drain or other defects in the floor or the building. We have the experience required to locate and preserve the surveillance camera tapes which often show the accident and/or the lack of maintenance and inspection.

Dangerous Floors and Aisles

Floors in stores or malls can often have liquid or debris on the floors or aisles from other shoppers or even employees of the location that can cause you to fall and sustain serious injury. Stores and malls have a particular duty to keep the floors clean and clear from debris and hazards. We have experience in holding them accountable under the laws that require them to keep their locations safe and to do routine inspections and safety sweeps

Dangerous Merchandise-Impulse Buying

Retailers, stores and malls will often place products in a place where they can sell more products, even if it is not safe for the customer which can cause injury or death. We have experience handling cases where merchandise is placed up high and can fall, or is in the aisle and has jagged or sharp edges on the shelves or showcases or even putting dangerous carts in the aisles to encourage impulse purchases from customers. This is called putting profit above safety and we hold them accountable to win your case

Poorly Maintained Sidewalks, Stairwells, Parking Lots and Shopping Carts

Retailers are required to keep their parking lots, sidewalks and stairwells in a safe condition with appropriate markings for pedestrians, clear of debris, ice and snow and to make sure handrails are not broken and shopping carts are maintained in a safe condition

Fast Food Restaurants

These fast food stores present a particular danger because they serve food and drinks and are required to have mats near the beverage station and to keep the floors clear of food and debris, which can be very slippery and cause injury. They are also required to serve food that does not make you ill or sick and to make sure their drive-thru lanes are correctly marked and are safe for pedestrians and motorists. We have decades of experience in holding these food chains accountable for the safety of their restaurants, food and drive-thru lanes

Apartment Buildings and Laundry Mats

All buildings and businesses have a duty to keep their property safe and clear from debris, including proper handrails and lighting, and misleveling of elevators and escalators. We have decades of experience in holding these businesses and their insurers accountable for the safety of their locations and services