Long Island Slick Floor or Wet Floor Accident Lawyer
Law Office of Cohen & Jaffe, LLP.
Property owners, managers and other responsible parties have a duty to protect visitors, customers and residents from hazards that could lead to serious injuries. This includes cleaning up wet, slick or slippery floors.
Property owners or managers are required to promptly address spills that make floors wet or slippery. If a floor is not completely dry after it is mopped, “wet floor” warning signs should be posted to make walkers aware of the hazard. Failure to do so could amount negligence that may make property owners or others responsible for falls that result from the slippery walking surface.
To find out more about your potential right to compensation, discuss your case with a qualified premises liability attorney at the Law Office of Cohen & Jaffe, LLP on Long Island. Contact us today for a free consultation.
Causes of Wet, Slick or Slippery Floors
Many substances may make a floor dangerously slippery. Some of the more common hazards that lead to slip-and-fall accidents include:
- Spilled drinks.
- Snow, ice or rainwater tracked in from outside.
- Liquid from merchandise in a store (for example, laundry detergent leaking from a bottle).
- Water leaking from plumbing, ceilings or poorly maintained air conditioning units.
- Oil or grease tracked in on workers’ boots.
- Urine from a child, pet or incontinent adult.
- Floor polish or soap.
- Dropped food items.
Property owners, managers or other responsible parties may be allowed a reasonable amount of time to discover and address a hazard that has made a floor dangerously slippery. If a floor is expected to remain slippery, cones, signs or other adequate warnings should be put in place. However, simply posting a “wet floor” sign may not be enough in many circumstances.
Failure to take care of a wet, slick or slippery floor in a reasonable way may give rise to a premises liability claim against the responsible property owner, manager or other party if someone is injured in a fall.
Some types of flooring materials have been proven to be dangerous due to having a slick and slippery surface. When a flooring material has contributed to a dangerous condition and a slip and fall occurs, both the property owner and the flooring material manufacturer or installer could potentially be held liable. All of these issues should be reviewed by a qualified and experienced attorney as early as possible after the accident.
Injuries from Falls on Wet or Slick Floors
A fall can be exceptionally dangerous, as there is a high possibility of serious injuries. Examples include traumatic brain injuries (TBI), spinal cord injuries, fractures and broken bones in the wrist, knee, elbow, arm or leg.
A person who is falling may naturally attempt to break the fall with the hands and arms, making broken arms and wrists common in these situations. Slipping backwards may lead to an impact on the head, which is very dangerous. A significant blow to the head can damage the brain, leading to swelling, bleeding, restricted oxygen to the brain and even death. Closed-head injuries may not be immediately evident, but if not treated at once, they can lead to death within hours.
What to do After a Slip and Fall Accident
If you or someone you love has been injured in a fall on a slippery or wet floor, what you do now may make a significant difference in the final outcome of a claim or lawsuit. There are certain actions you should take that may help to support your case. Follow these steps if possible:
- Call 911 and get emergency services to the slip and fall victim if there has been a serious injury or the person appears to be groggy, confused or is unconscious or has broken bones or cannot move.
- Take pictures of the accident and injury and the area with a cellphone camera if possible.
- Take down the names, addresses and phone numbers of any witnesses to the fall. Their statements may provide powerful support to your case.
- Store the shoes and clothing the victim was wearing without washing them first.
- Write down anything you remember about what happened, including what the property owner or manager said to you at the time of the fall, and any admission that was made about the condition of the floor or property.
- Connect with a skilled slip and fall attorney to discuss your case as soon as possible.
Contact a Long Island Slip and Fall Accident Lawyer with a Track Record of Results
If you or someone you care about has been injured in fall on a wet floor, please contact the Law Office of Cohen & Jaffe, LLP for a free consultation. Our Long Island Personal Injury Lawyer have been representing injured people in in New York since 2003 and have recovered millions of dollars in damages for our clients.
Our attorneys work with investigators, medical professionals and financial specialists to ensure we fully document your case before we present compensation demands to insurers or jurors. When we go to court for you, we go prepared to win.
Don’t settle for less. Contact us now to find out how we can help you.
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