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Slip-and-fall accidents can have devastating consequences, leaving victims with serious injuries, emotional trauma, and mounting debt. From costly medical bills to lost income and long-term recovery, these accidents can disrupt victims’ lives.
Understanding when a business can be liable for a slip-and-fall injury is critical to protecting your rights. Neglected hazards or insufficient warnings can play a role in your case. Our Syracuse slip-and-fall lawyers at Catalano Law are committed to helping victims recover a fair settlement.
Businesses have a legal and moral responsibility to do everything possible to keep employees, customers, and visitors safe. This means responding to hazardous conditions and taking measures to prevent accidents and injuries before they happen.
Discover the most common lapses in safety, how they cause slip-and-fall incidents, and what victims need to know to hold a business accountable.
Common Causes of Slip-and-Fall Accidents
In many cases, the cause of these falls is preventable. Some of the most common hazards that can result in a person slipping, tripping, and falling include:
- Unattended Spills: Wet floors and spills without signage are among the most common causes of slip-and-fall accidents. To minimize these risks, businesses must clean up spills promptly and use visible signs to warn customers.
- Cluttered Walkways: Boxes, loose cords, wires, or merchandise left in walkways can pose trip hazards. Business owners are responsible for keeping aisles and common areas clear of clutter. Additionally, they should use signage to warn people about potentially dangerous areas with unsecured objects.
- Inadequate Lighting: Poorly lit staircases, parking lots, and hallways make it harder for individuals to see hazards, increasing the risk of a slip-and-fall.
- Flooring Issues: Cracks, uneven surfaces, loose tiles, torn carpets, or unsecured rugs are common tripping hazards. Routine maintenance and prompt repairs are crucial to prevent accidents.
- Seasonal Risks: In the winter, the risk of slip-and-fall accidents increases as surfaces—especially outdoors or near thresholds—become covered in snow and ice. Businesses are responsible for keeping their entrances, sidewalks, parking lots, and other areas clear of snow, ice, and slipping risks.
The Role of Safety Audits and Employee Training
Businesses should adopt measures such as employee training programs and regular safety audits focused on preventing accidents.
Conduct Regular Safety Audits
A safety audit includes routine premises inspections to identify potential hazards and sources of danger. They should cover all areas, including floors, staircases, parking lots, and restrooms. An audit should answer the following questions:
- Are spills or clutter cleaned up promptly?
- Are warning signs visible where hazards exist?
- Is lighting sufficient in all areas?
Regular documentation of these audits can also demonstrate a business’s commitment to safety.
Train Employees on Accident Prevention
In addition to keeping the premises safe, businesses must provide adequate training to their employees to protect customers and visitors from accidents. Slip-and-fall risk reduction training should include the following:
- Recognizing and addressing hazardous situations
- Deploying appropriate signage immediately
- Reporting and documenting situations that can’t be immediately resolved
Well-trained employees should have the knowledge and experience to help reduce the risk of accidents. If a business does not provide sufficient training or accident prevention education, it may be liable for a victim’s injuries.
When Can a Business Be Held Liable?
If you’ve been injured in a slip-and-fall accident, it’s important to know that New York law holds businesses responsible for keeping their premises safe for visitors and customers.
A business may be held accountable for your injuries if:
- They Neglected Hazards: Businesses are responsible for addressing recurring risks, such as black ice in parking lots, and failing to do so can make them accountable for resulting accidents.
- They Created the Hazard. If employees cause a danger, such as by spilling liquids and failing to clean up promptly, the business may be responsible for any injuries.
- They Failed to Warn: Slippery floors caused by cleaning or waxing must be marked with clear warnings, such as “Caution: Wet Floor” signs. Without adequate notice, the business risks liability for accidents.
Take Action After a Slip-and-Fall Accident
If you’ve been injured in a slip-and-fall accident, our experienced team at Catalano Law can help. We can evaluate your case, gather evidence, and represent you until you obtain the compensation you deserve.
Slip-and-fall accidents can leave lasting physical, emotional, and financial scars, but you have the right to hold negligent businesses accountable. Contact us today for a free case review.
