You most likely have seen a warning sign indicating a wet floor in your lifetime; however, not everyone realizes how dangerous slick floors can be. Slip and fall accidents on wet surfaces happen when a floor becomes slick due to any number of factors, and the property owner has not taken proper care to prevent harm to individuals on the property. Slippery surfaces in public or private spaces can lead to severe injuries that disrupt your daily routine and cause unnecessary pain and suffering. Medical bills, lost wages, and the physical and emotional toll can make the recovery process daunting.
Victims of wet floor accidents in Bartlett have the right to seek legal recourse to recover compensation for their losses and pain. If you are injured, you need a legal team that prioritizes your needs and fights for your rights. David E. Gordon is a skilled slip and fall attorney who can help you seek the justice and compensation you deserve.
Common Causes of Wet Floor Accidents
There are many potential causes behind wet floor incidents in Bartlett, including:
- Oil
- Food
- Trash
- Water
- Grease
- Polishes
- Ice/snow
- Detergents
- Bodily fluids
- Sand and mud
If a slippery flooring hazard is temporary, the property owner or manager should clean it up in a timely fashion. If it remains wet and slippery after cleaning, property managers in public places should set out wet floor signage or provide adequate warnings to visitors. Those who neglect these safety measures may be held liable through a premises liability claim if harm occurs. These hazards can happen anywhere, like:
- Malls
- Offices
- Schools
- Garages
- Theaters
- Daycares
- Restaurants
- Grocery stores
- Medical care facilities
Private homeowners may also be held liable if a wet and slippery floor causes a visitor to fall and be injured, so long as the visitor was invited into the home or otherwise had a legal right to be there. David can help injured individuals explore whether they have a valid claim for damages.
Understanding Premises Liability Laws
Premises liability laws require Bartlett property owners and managers to maintain safe environments and promptly address potential hazards like wet floors. To hold owners and managers accountable, victims must prove that the owners or managers were negligent and thus responsible for the harm the individual endured. To prove negligence, the injured person must show the same four elements required for any successful negligence claim:
- The property owner owed a duty of care to the victim
- The property owner breached that duty of care
- That breach of duty caused the victim’s injuries
- Those injuries resulted in damages
Many business owners will deny their responsibility following these accidents. Further, many will claim that injured people were at fault for their injuries. However, legally, property owners must take reasonable precautions to keep their premises safe from foreseeable dangers. When they fail to do so, they can and should be held accountable.
Steps to Take After a Wet Floor Accident
There are certain steps our lawyers recommend an injured person take when they are harmed due to a slippery surface, such as:
- Ensure their own safety and the safety of others
- Get medical attention. If a person is seriously hurt, they should try to stay still and call for help. Even if they have no obvious injuries, people should still seek medical attention as soon as possible, even if they feel embarrassed or believe their injuries are minor. Some injuries may not be immediately apparent but could worsen over time without treatment
- Notify the property owner, manager, or supervisor about the accident and get a report from them to document what happened
- Take photos or videos of the wet floor
- Save any of their possessions that came in contact with the surface, especially the shoes they were wearing
- Keep detailed records of their medical treatments. Document their pain and suffering, including any impact on their daily activities and quality of life. These records will be essential in supporting a claim for compensation
After taking all of the above steps, an injured individual should contact an experienced legal professional at The Law Office of David E. Gordon for help with their lawsuit.
Injured After Slipping on a Wet Floor? Call a Bartlett Attorney for Help
If you were hurt in a wet floor accident in Bartlett due to another person’s carelessness, you have legal options. Slipping on a wet floor may not seem like that big of a deal, but you have a right to hold the responsible parties accountable if you were hurt.
David E. Gordon is a board-certified personal injury lawyer who can help you. Call today to set up a free consultation.
