One large group of premises liability cases that our premises liability lawyers see are referred to as "trip and fall" or "slip and fall" cases. A person falls in a store or other commercial establishment because of objects left in their pathways, or substances left on the floor cause them to trip, and incur a serious injury.
This kind of premises liability case can be extremely challenging to try in front of a jury. The defendant's insurance company will often argue that an injured individual was not looking where he or she was going. In fact, most stores and commercial establishments arrange their premises so that a customer's attention is diverted from the floor to merchandise.
Our premises liability lawyers as well as the highly qualified experts with whom we work know that stores design merchandise displays to draw the attention of customers. Customers walking around a store focus not on the floor, but on the merchandise they are being encouraged to purchase. If floors are over-waxed or if spills are allowed to remain on floors causing slippery conditions, very serious injuries can result. As stores have grown larger, merchandise is often piled in high stacks, allowing for an increase in injuries when items improperly stored fall on customers' heads. As a result of such negligence, many of our clients have incurred severe head trauma and other injuries.
Our lawyers have prosecuted many premises liability cases involving injuries at work sites. A contractor or subcontractor may create a dangerous condition at a work site which results in injuries to an employee of one of the other contractors. Risks would include a hole left without adequate warning, or failure to install the safety devices necessary to prevent falls or injuries. Worksite cases familiar to our premises liability lawyers include unsafe building conditions such as a malfunctioning elevator that stops incorrectly, causing a person to fall as they exit or enter the elevator; or failing to adequately light premises resulting in a darkened area where people may not see a stepping hazard.
We believe strongly that a fence at the top of a cliff is better than an ambulance waiting below.