Common Causes of Slip and Falls in Modesto

Falls can occur for a wide range of reasons. Sometimes, you fall because you trip over your untied shoelaces, in which case you probably would not have grounds to pursue a legal claim. However, if your fall occurred on someone else’s property as a result of the property owner or caretaker’s negligence, you might have the right to pursue a lawsuit.

A knowledgeable local slip and fall attorney who is familiar with all the common causes of slip and falls in Modesto could meet with you to review the details of your accident and let you know your legal options. Our attorneys are known as the Heavy Hitters™, and we are ready to fight for you.

How Do Slip and Falls Happen?

People trip, slip, and fall in Modesto for many reasons. Falls can occur both inside and outdoors in private residences, public places, or commercial buildings.

Wet Floors

Many floors can become very slippery when wet. Sometimes, people trek in the rain from the outside. Floors can also be wet after being freshly mopped. Spills on the floor can also contribute to wet, slippery floors. For instance, customers could drop products, or items could fall from shelves. Businesses should try to clean up spills as quickly as possible to prevent dangerous falls. Store owners and managers should also put up cones or warning signs to notify customers of the wet floor.

Uneven Flooring or Walkways

Serious injuries can occur from uneven flooring. People can trip over the following:

• Cracked floor tiles
• Debris in walkways or aisles
• Bunched-up or damaged carpeting
• Electric wires or cords that protrude from the floor

People can also fall because of potholes in parking lots or uneven sidewalks. Property owners or business owners should try to repair damaged flooring or exterior walkways quickly to protect visitors and customers.

Broken Steps or Staircases

Many slip and fall accidents occur on staircases. Broken steps or missing handrails can be extremely hazardous.

Inadequate Lighting

Even if the floors are not slippery or uneven and the staircase is functional, serious falls can occur if there is inadequate exterior or interior lighting. If people cannot see where they are going, they are more likely to bump into an unexpected object or misjudge where they are and slip down the stairs.

Regardless of the specific cause of your slip and fall accident, our attorneys could work with you to help you fight back for justice.

Who is Potentially Legally Responsible for Your Slip and Fall Accident?

Most slip and fall claims are against property owners who allowed a dangerous condition to develop on their property, resulting in a slip and fall. Property owners are responsible for maintaining their property in a reasonably safe condition for all legal visitors and should remove hazardous conditions from their property as soon as possible. If they are not able to quickly make a repair, they should warn people about a potential hazard. For instance, if a grocery store employee cleans the floor, the store should put up a sign warning customers of the wet floor.

Depending on the precise circumstances of your accident, you might also have the right to pursue a claim against the owner of a business on the property where you fell, the management company in charge of the property, or a tenant who was leasing the property. Our Modesto attorneys could review the cause and identify the potentially liable parties for your slip and fall.

Call a Modesto Lawyer To Learn About the Common Causes of Slip and Falls

Falls can result in life-altering consequences. To give yourself a strong chance of success, you need to work with an attorney who has experience successfully handling lawsuits involving many common causes of slip and falls in Modesto. Call our trusted, dedicated, and seasoned legal team today.