According to the United States’ National Safety Council, slips, trips and falls account for approximately 15 per cent of all accidents. The overwhelming majority of these are benign – you’re much more likely to suffer a bruised ego than a fractured spine. However, as every Toronto slip and fall lawyer knows, a seemingly innocent fall can have serious consequences, which is why you should understand how these accidents happen and whether you can access compensation if you’re injured.
Weather
The leading cause of slip and fall accidents is inclement weather. In Ontario, snow, slush and freezing rain create dangerous walking conditions every winter, and property and business owners have a responsibility to keep their premises safe. Slippery floors and unkempt external walkways pose significant danger to visitors, especially older individuals who have trouble maintaining balance. If a person suffers a serious injury as a result of your negligence as a property owner, a Toronto slip and fall lawyer may hold you accountable.
Maintenance or upkeep
Diligent business and property owners know that their responsibilities don’t end when spring arrives and that their duty to maintain a safe environment for visitors extends to every month of the year. If an individual trips on an item in the aisle of a store, for example, or slips on a spilled liquid, they may be entitled to compensation for the injuries they sustain. The same could be true for dangerous cracks or uneven tiling in a walkway; an experienced Toronto slip and fall lawyer can help determine responsibility in these events.
When can the accident victim seek compensation?
Every person is bound to suffer a fall every so often, and in most of these cases nobody will be considered liable. Generally, injury victims can only seek compensation when the accident is the direct result of a property owner’s negligence and could not be avoided by the actions of a reasonable person. In other words, an individual who is acting recklessly or dangerously when they slip and fall will not be able to claim damages for the injuries they sustain.
If you have been injured after a slip and fall accident, you should immediately seek legal help. An experienced Toronto slip and fall lawyer can examine the potential complications of your case and advise you on your path forward. Neinstein Personal Injury Lawyers has been helping injured Ontarians access compensation for their injuries for decades; call us today to arrange a free, no-obligation consultation.