When you enter a property other than your own, you reasonably assume it’s well-maintained and safe. This is because, in New Jersey, property owners have a legal duty to minimize the dangers posed to their guests and visitors by repairing or providing adequate warnings of hazardous conditions on the premises. Wet floors are one of the most common causes of slip-and-fall accidents. While some individuals may sustain minor bruising, others may sustain potentially life-altering injuries that negatively impact various aspects of their lives. That said, if you have been injured in a wet floor slip and fall accident, please don’t hesitate to contact our proficient Essex County Slip and Fall Accident Attorneys, who can help safeguard your rights and fight for the fair compensation you deserve.
What Happens When You Slip on a Wet Floor in New Jersey?
In New Jersey, premises liability laws require property owners to maintain a safe environment for their guests to mitigate the risks of accidents and injuires. Commercial establishments, such as grocery stores, restaurants, retail stores, movie theatres, sports stadiums, and other public places, have a legal duty to remedy hazardous conditions or provide adequate warnings of danger to protect patrons from harm. One of the most common dangerous conditions that lead to slip and fall accidents is wet floors. While many people suffer mild embarrassment from slipping and falling on a wet floor, others sustain catastrophic injuries. These injuries may include:
- Broken bones
- Hip fractures
- Traumatic brain injuries
- Neck and spinal cord injuries (even paralysis)
- Back injuries
- Shoulder & knee injuries
- Sprains and strains
- Lacerations and contusions
- Internal Bleeding
Can You Still File a Premises Liability Claim if a “Wet Floor” Sign was Posted?
To recover damages in a premises liability claim, you must fulfill the burden of proof. You must prove that the property owner’s negligence directly caused your injuries. The burden of proof can be satisfied by demonstrating that the property owner was aware or should have reasonably been aware of the dangerous condition and failed to correct or warn guests of it, breaching their duty of care. Fulfilling the burden of proof can be tricky if you slip and fall on a wet floor in a commercial establishment if a “wet floor” sign is posted.
Property owners are not expected to be aware of a hazardous condition the second it occurs. However, if you prove that the property should have been aware of the dangerous conditions, you can increase your chances of recovering monetary compensation for your damages. A significant concern for many victims is that a wet floor sign will prevent them from pursuing legal action. A wet floor sign doesn’t automatically absolve property owners from liability. With the help of an experienced personal injury attorney, you may be able to establish that the sign was hidden or that inadequate lighting prevents you from seeing the warning sign. They may even be able to assert that the wet floor sign was the only action taken by the property owner for a substantial period.
As you can see, a wet floor sign won’t prevent you from pursuing compensation for your damages. If you’ve been injured in a slip-and-fall accident due to another party’s carelessness, contact a determined attorney from the Law Offices of Christopher T. Howell, Esq., who can help you hold responsible parties accountable for their negligence.
