Understanding the causes of slip and fall accidents in shopping malls helps prevent and avoid them, reducing the risk of injury. This knowledge also informs you of when to seek help from an experienced lawyer. Slip and fall lawyers assist with navigating the complexities of liability and compensation after an accident. Here are six causes of slip and fall accidents in shopping malls:
Wet and Slippery Floors
Spilled drinks, dripping water from umbrellas, and cleaning activities are some of the causes of slippery floors in shopping centers. While malls often have maintenance crews that attend to these problems, even a slight delay can lead to a risky situation. You may not see the wet floor when focused on shopping, especially if there are no warning signs. The smooth flooring used in some malls can also exacerbate the slipperiness and make it difficult for you to maintain your balance.
If you’re involved in an accident caused by wet floors in a shopping mall, contact a slip and fall lawyer. These professionals determine liability and provide advice on how to proceed with the case. They will help you decide whether to accept a settlement offer or pursue further legal action.
Uneven Flooring and Tripping Hazards
With increased wear and tear, floor tiles in shopping centers can loosen, crack, or become uneven. These irregularities present tripping hazards that increase the risk of a fall. You may slip on a tile that is slightly higher than the other tiles or stumble on an uneven mat at the entrance of a store. Such occurrences can lead to significant injuries, including concussions or broken bones.
A slip and fall attorney will help you gather evidence to support the claim. Evidence includes photographs of the accident scene, witness statements, and surveillance footage from the mall. A lawyer is also able to consult with experts, such as safety inspectors or medical professionals. This step assists them with understanding the cause of the accident and the extent of the injuries.
Poor Lighting Conditions
Poor lighting increases the risk of slip and fall accidents in shopping malls, as it makes it challenging for people to identify obstacles. Inadequate lighting in mall parking lots, stairwells, or hallways can hide obstacles like debris, wet spills, or uneven surfaces. Business owners must make sure that all parts of the mall are well-lit, especially high-traffic areas. Lawyers refer to this as a duty of care. A duty of care obligates property owners to maintain a safe environment for visitors. Your lawyer will help you determine if this duty has been breached and how to pursue compensation if you’ve been injured because of it.
Obstructed Walkways
Shopping mall walkways may become obstructed by displays, merchandise, or cleaning supplies and equipment. These barriers create hazardous conditions for shoppers, especially in overcrowded areas. If walkways are obstructed, you may have to step over them, which exposes you to the risk of slipping and falling. Obstructed walkways also hinder quick and safe evacuation in emergency situations. Lawyers obtain and review surveillance footage from the mall to analyze the condition of the walkways and the presence of obstructions at the time of the incident. This information helps support your claim when pursuing legal action.
Escalator and Elevator Malfunctions
If not well maintained, escalators and elevators can be a source of slip-and-fall accidents. Malfunctions such as sudden stops, uneven steps, or slippery floors may lead to a fall. Routine maintenance and safety inspections help prevent such occurrences. If a malfunction results in an injury, a slip-and-fall lawyer can request maintenance and cleaning records. This process allows them to check for relevant documentation of the conditions leading up to the accident.
Weather-related Hazards
The weather outside a shopping mall may contribute to a slip and fall accident. Rain, snow, or ice can lead to slippery surfaces on the exterior walkways, entrances, and even inside the mall if tracked inside. If you slip on ice that has been left in a parking lot or an entrance, contact an experienced attorney. They can review maintenance logs and weather reports to assess whether the mall took reasonable steps to manage weather-related hazards.
Contact a Slip and Fall Lawyer
When choosing a slip and fall lawyer, confirm they have experience with premises liability cases. These professionals manage cases where property owners are liable for injuries sustained due to hazardous conditions on their premises. If you are a victim of a slip and fall accident, contact a skilled attorney to assist you with pursuing fair compensation.
