If you slip and fall while it is raining out, you may wonder whether or not you can bring forth a claim for damages. Call a lawyer to learn more.
Slipping, tripping, and falling is something that every person has probably experienced at some point or another over the years. While slip and fall accidents may be harmless for the most part, sometimes, serious slip and fall accidents occur. If you have been in a slip and fall accident and have been seriously injured, you may have a claim against the property owner where the accident occurred. If it was raining at the time of the accident, though, it is important to understand how the weather may impact liability. Consider the following and call our New Jersey slip and fall lawyers at the office of Lomurro Law for more information.
Outside Rainy-Day Slip and Falls
If you slip and fall outside, it is important to note how the weather impacted your fall and whether there was something that a property owner could have done to prevent the accident. For example, if you fell on a pair of broken stairs, the rain probably had nothing to do with the accident. If the stairs were rotted out because of the rain, then liability would still fall on the shoulders of the property owner for failing to take action to repair the stairs. If a surface was merely slippery because it was wet, though, it is unlikely that the property owner could have done much to prevent the accident from happening with, perhaps, the exception of installing handrails (depending on where the fall happened).
Inside Rainy-Day Slip and Falls
Inside slip and falls that occur as a result of wet areas (from rain being tracked inside by wet shoes, coats, etc.) can be complicated. A property owner can be held liable for a slip and fall accident when:
- A dangerous condition existed (think: wet walking surfaces as a result of rain); and
- The property owner knew or should have known of the condition; and
- The property failed to remedy the condition within a reasonable amount of time.
For slip and fall accidents caused by wet surfaces (from rain being tracked indoors), the latter element can be difficult to prove. If a person walks in, drips water on the floor, and then immediately slips, it can be hard to prove that the property owner had a reasonable amount of time to remedy the condition. It could be argued, though, that knowing that it was raining and that the floor could become slippery, the property owner should have put down a rug in order to absorb water and provide more traction.
Call Our New Jersey Slip and Fall Lawyers Today
If you have slipped, tripped, or fallen and have been injured as a result, you should consult with our experienced New Jersey slip and fall attorneys at the office of Lomurro Law. To learn more about how we can serve you and what to do after a slip and fall, call our law office directly today. We offer free consultations.
