When you step foot on another party’s property, you reasonably expect it to be safe. However, many property owners neglect to uphold their legal duty to maintain a secure environment for their guests, resulting in severe accidents and injuries. If you slipped and fell on a wet floor, you may be entitled to significant compensation. Please continue reading to learn what rights you possess after a slip and fall on a wet floor in New York and how a skilled New York City Premises Liability Attorney can help you fight for the fair compensation you deserve.
What Are the Dangers of a Slip and Fall on a Wet Floor in New York?
When navigating a store or any other public establishment, slipping and falling on a wet floor may seem like the least of your troubles. However, it is essential not to overlook the physical, mental, and financial setbacks such an accident can cause. While some people may sustain minor bruising and damage to their egos, others can sustain catastrophic injuries that negatively impact their everyday lives. These include, but are not limited to, the following:
- Hip fractures
- Broke bones
- Head injuries (including traumatic brain injuries)
- Neck and spinal cord injuries (even paralysis)
- Back injuries
- Shoulder injuries
- Knee injuries
- Sprains and strains
- Lacerations and contusions
- Internal bleeding
As you can see, a fall may result in potentially life-altering conditions. It’s important to note that signs of an injury are not always immediately apparent. Therefore, seeking immediate medical attention following a slip and fall accident on a wet floor is best.
Can You Still File a Claim If There Was a Wet Floor Sign Posted?
Depending on the circumstances of the accident, you can still seek damages after a fall, even if a wet floor sign was prominently displayed in the area where the accident occurred. However, the sign’s caution will be considered to determine the defendant’s liability. In most cases, the defense will claim that you should not recover damages because they took reasonable measures to warn you about the potential danger, and you walked on the wet floor anyway, knowing the risks. Although businesses may believe the presence of a wet floor sign will absolve them of liability if someone slips and falls while on their premises, this is not always the case.
It’s possible to argue that the sign was hidden or that inadequate lighting prevented you from seeing it. You may even be able to assert that the wet floor sign was the only action taken by the property owner for an extended period. While spills and wet floors are bound to happen occasionally, a wet floor sign may warn you of the immediate danger. However, if the property owner doesn’t take additional steps to remedy the hazard completely, the wet floor sign will be an insufficient defense if the hazard is left unattended for a substantial period. As mentioned above, property owners are legally expected to maintain a safe environment for their guests.
If you’ve been injured in a wet floor slip and fall accident, you have the right to seek legal action even if a wet floor sign was posted. Therefore, it’s in your best interest to enlist the help of a determined attorney from Swerling Law, who can help protect your rights and interests.
