What are Slip and Fall Laws?

Falls are the third leading cause of death due to unintentional injury in the state of North Carolina, according to North Carolina Health and Human Services. Falls are also a leading cause of traumatic brain injury, of spinal cord damage, and of many other serious injuries.

Slip and falls can occur in many different circumstances, but common causes of falls include slippery floors or slippery parking lots.  If a wet floor or a slippery parking lot is the direct cause of a fall, the victim who was harmed in that fall — or his surviving family members — may be able to pursue a civil claim in order to obtain compensation for losses.

Premises liability laws determine when a property owner can be held responsible for a fall.  Under premises liability laws, owners and renters both owe a duty to those who visit their property. The specific obligations of the property owner are determined by the relationship with the visitor. In general, the owner is required to take reasonable steps to keep visitors safe. This means either correcting unsafe property conditions, such as a slippery wet floor, or warning visitors about the risks.

If you or a loved one suffered a slip and fall due to slippery or wet floors or parking lots, you should consult with a Charlotte personal injury attorney as soon as possible. An attorney can help you to pursue a claim for compensation against the property owner for all of the losses that the fall caused you to endure.