A Guide to Slip and Fall Cases

Slip and fall accidents happen more often than you might think. If you have suffered an injury after a fall on someone else’s property, you will have to prove liability and negligence in order to be successful in your personal injury case. Here are things to consider to help your case.

Elements of Negligence and Liability

When taking negligence and liability into consideration in personal injury cases, there is the theory of reasonable care. This is especially the case in slip and fall situations. In order for a property owner or manager to be considered liable and negligent, they would have to have committed a breach of a reasonable duty of care. In other words, they would have to have failed to act in the same manner as a reasonable person would under the same circumstances.

In order to show negligence, you need proof that the property owner, manager or employee:

• Should have known of the hazards like any reasonable person and corrected the situation

• Was aware of the dangerous situation but did nothing to fix it

• Actually caused the dangerous situation

Could the Accident Have Been Prevented?

If the accident could have been prevented if the property owner or manager had been more prudent, it is proof of liability. For example, if it was impossible to avoid the hazard that led to the fall and subsequent injury, even if you were completely aware of your surroundings, you would have a legitimate claim of negligence.

Examples of Dangerous Situations That Lead to Slip and Falls

There are various dangerous situations that could easily lead to a person slipping and falling and sustaining injuries. Some of these common causes include:

• Wet, slippery floors that lack properly marked warnings

• Snowy, icy conditions on the front walk of a property that are not properly maintained

• Broken or loose stairs or handrails on a staircase

• Loose floorboards that can cause a trip

If you live in Nevada and have been injured due to the negligence of a property owner, it is in your best interest to seek the assistance of a personal injury lawyer in Las Vegas.