Slip and fall accidents are very common, and we all fall victims in one way or the other. However, there are some instances where other parties are responsible for our slip-and-fall accidents.
The state of Michigan has defined laws that clearly dictate how you can get compensation for the personal injuries and medical expenses you sustained from the slip and fall accidents. To fully understand the nature of slip and fall accidents, it is good to learn about what majorly cause them, and the nature of injuries one can sustain.
Slippery Floors and Wet Surfaces
The majority of the filed slip and fall accidents are usually against commercial premises owners due to slippery floors and wet surfaces. A slippery floor is very dangerous because of low traction, which makes walking extremely difficult.
There are specific flooring materials that give a good aesthetic finish to the commercial setting, such as floor tiles on a restaurant floor. However, most of the floor finishes compromises safety, especially when they are wet.
When liquids spill and cleaning is not done immediately, or a visible sign put up to indicate a slippery floor, then the manager or person in charge will be held accountable for any accidents.
The personal injuries that occur due to slips and falls on a slippery floor vary from mild concussions to severe brain injuries and broken limbs. You should contact your slip and fall accident lawyer Michigan to establish legal strategies that will not only hold the parties responsible, but also get you compensated for the personal injuries and medical bills incurred.
Accumulated Ice and Hidden Holes on Sidewalks
It is the responsibility of the local governments to ensure that state-owned properties are safe for use by the general public. Therefore, maintaining high standards of safety on sidewalks is of utmost importance.
During winter, snow and ice accumulates on most spaces, especially on the roads and the sidewalks. Depending on the nature of the snowfall, driving and walking could be very difficult.
Sewer line access holes and street drainage holes are usually positioned on the sidewalks (or in the middle of the road) to reduce public interference and promote easy access during maintenance checks. Sometimes, the holes may be left uncovered during routine checks and the workers might fail to indicate that there is work in progress.
Slips and falls on iced sidewalks and hidden holes can result in broken limbs, neck, or back, and at times, loss of lives.
Dangerous Stairways and Cheap Building Materials
The government has regulatory bodies that regularly examines existing buildings’ safety standards compliances. Safety policies, as control measures, assist the government to assess how secure the buildings are for people to live in.
Stairways (especially in tall story buildings) have the highest cases of slip and fall accidents. The accidents are caused by wet step surfaces or uneven stepping. In law, constructing uneven steps is termed as gross negligence, and the building’s management is held accountable for slip and fall accidents resulting from such faults.
Cheap, substandard materials such as low-quality tiles, get chipped and broken easily. Although they are initially used during to reduce costs, they might create a slip-and-fall hazard and end up costing you more in the long run.
Slip and fall accidents on stairways are very dangerous as they may cause fatal injuries and permanent paralysis, denying one the ability to earn a livelihood again. Although most constructors are taking measures to reduce these incidences, it takes a lot of planning and proper resource-allocations to significantly reduces them.
Conclusion
Slip and fall accidents may look negligible on the surface, but once the injuries and the medical expenses set in, it is always time to lawyer up. Your attorney will assist you in making a case by gathering evidence, as well as argue grievances on your behalf in a court of law. These cases often take long to solve, but an experienced attorney will eventually get you compensated.
