Even if you are generally in good physical condition, an unexpected fall onto a hard surface or off of an elevated one can quickly lead to an injury with long-lasting and sometimes debilitating consequences. Even worse, a lot of the accidents that slip and fall lawyers handle on a regular basis could have been prevented entirely were it not for the negligence of a single property owner, manager, or—in some cases—employee responsible for maintaining that property in a safe condition for visitors.
If you have been hurt by a slipping or tripping hazard you were not properly warned about, you may have grounds to seek civil recovery for any and all losses you will suffer because of that injury. With that said, it is always best to avoid having to file suit over this kind of accident in the first place whenever possible, so here are some common causes of slip and falls in Peoria to watch out for in the course of everyday life.
Unmarked Spills
Since the Phoenix metro area hardly ever gets cold enough for snow to fall, slip and falls caused by untreated patches of ice are thankfully pretty rare around Peoria. However, accidents caused by spills, rainwater, and various other scenarios that lead to water building up on surfaces like tile or stone happen quite a lot in this part of the country, and they often lead to surprisingly serious injuries when they do occur.
Clutter in Walking Areas
Even if a property owner is diligent about cleaning up liquid spills, they may not be so responsible when it comes to making sure that aisles and other pedestrian spaces on their land are free of solid debris. Stepping on a piece of discarded litter or getting a trailing foot caught underneath an unsecured electrical cord can very easily lead to a slip and fall accident with very long-lasting repercussions.
Flaws in Flooring
Another common cause of slipping and tripping injuries in Peoria and throughout the Grand Canyon State is a lack of maintenance for the actual surfaces that property visitors walk over while on the property in question. Cracked sidewalk blocks, loose floorboards, broken tiles, and a host of other structural problems can result in someone losing their footing and suffering an injury which may be the landowner’s responsibility to pay for.
Lack of Sufficient Lighting
Finally, all the property maintenance and cleaning in the world may not be enough to prevent a property visitor from slipping or tripping and falling if that visitor cannot see where they are placing their feet in the first place. Especially in outdoor spaces like stairwells, a single broken or missing light fixture could be all that is needed to cause an injury serious enough to justify a civil lawsuit.
A Peoria Attorney Can Help Sue Over Common Causes of Slip and Falls
Accidental falls can happen just about anywhere at just about any time, and there is sometimes nothing you can individually do to prevent yourself from being harmed by another person’s negligent property management. In other situations, however, you may be able to save yourself a lot of trouble and protect yourself from serious physical harm by being aware of the common causes of slip and falls in Peoria.
If you have already suffered an injury through this type of accident, a seasoned slip and fall lawyer from Phillips Law Group can help you explore and enforce your right to seek civil recovery. Call today to discuss your legal options with a member of our team during a free, no-obligation consultation.