In Maryland, property owners are legally responsible for ensuring their premises are well-maintained to mitigate the risks of accidents and injuries. That said, when you enter another party’s property, you reasonably expect it to be safe. Unfortunately, the appropriate parties may fail to uphold their legal duty of care toward guests and visitors, resulting in devasting consequences. Slips and falls caused by wet floors are common accidents in commercial properties. If you experience a slip-and-fall accident on a wet floor, please don’t hesitate to contact a dedicated Prince George’s County Slip and Fall Accident Lawyer who can help you hold responsible parties accountable for their negligence.
What Are Common Causes of Wet Floor Slip and Fall Accidents?
Wet floors are one of the leading causes of slip-and-fall accidents in commercial properties. When floors are wet or slippery, victims often experience a sudden loss of footing. This happens so abruptly that they can’t break the fall. The consequences can be devastating. While some individuals experience minor bruising and lacerations, others sustain catastrophic and life-altering injuries. Slip and fall accidents on wet floors can result in serious injuries. These include:
- Broke bones
- Hip fracture
- Sprains and strains
- Head and brain injuries
- Back and spinal cord injuries
- Soft tissue injuries
- Lacerations and contusions
It’s essential to understand the causes of wet floors, the injuries they can cause, and the legal responsibilities of property owners. In commercial establishments, accidental spills or leaks from pipes and appliances can create wet surfaces. Floors also become wet during routine cleaning, such as moping or waxing. If the cleaning crews fail to dry the floors or provide warnings of hazardous conditions, slip and fall accidents can occur. In addition, weather conditions, such as rain, snow, or ice, can make floors wet and slippery when tracked indoors. When the appropriate measures are not in place, these hazardous conditions increase the likelihood of a slip-and-fall accident.
Can You Pursue Legal Action if There Was a “Wet Floor” Sign?
Many victims fear that a wet floor sign absolves property owners from liability, as it shows they took reasonable steps to warn you of the potentially dangerous conditions on their premises. However, this sign indicates that the property owner is aware of the hazard. It doesn’t excuse their negligence if they failed to take the appropriate actions to remedy the dangerous condition in a timely manner. Whether or not you can pursue legal action in a wet floor slip and fall accident when a wet floor sign was posted depends on the specific circumstances of the case.
To determine whether you have a valid premises liability case, it’s in your best interest to contact an adept lawyer from Timian & Fawcett, LLC. Our legal team is prepared to help you fight for the full and fair compensation you may be entitled to for your damages.
