Helping You Move Forward After A Slip-And-Fall Accident
Have you slipped and fallen at a grocery store, retail store, shopping mall, gas station, restaurant, bar, hotel or another business? With the help of a dedicated personal injury law firm, you may be able to obtain compensation for the full cost of your injuries. Trial attorneys Donald Bedell and Jeff Stripto have been handling these cases for decades, earning a reputation for success along the way.
Rely on experience and veteran legal skill to help you recover the full amount that your claim is worth. Call Bedell & Stripto today.
Working To Hold Negligent Property Owners Responsible
Slip-and-fall and/or trip-and-fall accident claims are considered premises liability claims. These are claims against property owners whose negligence led to injuries.
Property owners are liable for damages if they acted in some way that resulted in injuries to customers or failed to take action to prevent injuries to customers. More often than not, slip-and-fall accidents are the result of a store owner or staff failing to take appropriate action and remedy a hazard to customers.
For example, many slip-and-fall accidents are caused by slippery floors. If the accident occurred immediately after a spill and the store had no time to clean the spill, the store may not be liable. However, if the spill was reported by customers or noted by other staff but not cleaned up, and then it caused an accident, the store is likely liable. Slips may be the result of spills that should have been cleaned, leaks that should have been repaired, wet entranceways without rugs or hazard signs, and other acts of negligence.
Trip-and-falls are similar to slip-and-falls. They may involve boxes or other objects left in aisles and walkways that cause customers to trip, fall and suffer injuries. Businesses are responsible for acts of negligence that occur anywhere on the premises, not just inside the building. Slip and falls and trip and falls on sidewalks and in parking lots may also be actionable. Bedell & Stripto will review your case and help you determine if you have a claim.
Where Slip-And-Fall Accidents Are Likely To Happen
Slip-and-fall accidents can happen anywhere, but certain places pose a higher risk due to heavy foot traffic and potential hazards. Our firm regularly handles cases involving accidents at:
- Supermarkets and grocery stores: Establishments like Aldi, ShopRite and Stop & Shop often face slip-and-fall incidents due to spilled products, wet floors from produce misting or tracked-in rain or snow.
- Department stores: Large retailers such as Walmart, Kohl’s, Target, Home Depot and Lowe’s may have hazards like improperly stocked merchandise, unmarked wet floors or debris in aisles.
- Shopping malls: Popular locations like Ocean County Mall and Monmouth Mall see high volumes of visitors, increasing the likelihood of accidents from food court spills, recently mopped floors or poorly maintained walkways.
- Parking lots: These areas often have uneven surfaces, potholes or inadequate lighting, which can lead to trips and falls.
As mentioned, property owners and managers have a responsibility to maintain safe conditions in these locations. If you’ve suffered an injury due to their negligence, our experienced attorneys can help you seek the compensation you deserve. We understand the complexities of premises liability law and will work tirelessly to protect your rights.
Common Hazards Leading To Slip-And-Fall Accidents
Retail environments and parking areas often present various hazards that can lead to slip-and-fall accidents. Property owners and managers are responsible for identifying and addressing these risks promptly. Some common issues include:
- Spills and debris: In retail stores, spills ranging from beverages to cleaning products can create slippery surfaces. Broken glass, loose produce, fallen merchandise and discarded clothing in changing rooms also pose risks.
- Inadequate hazard marking: When hazards are identified, they should be immediately marked with proper signage. Absent or poorly placed warning signs can lead to accidents.
- Negligent security: Insufficient security measures can result in unidentified hazards or allow dangerous individuals to enter the premises.
- Parking lot dangers: Outdoor areas present their own set of hazards, including potholes, poorly marked pedestrian walkways, missing traffic signs, inadequate lighting and accumulated debris or garbage.
- Maintenance issues: Failure to promptly address maintenance problems like leaky roofs, faulty drainage systems or damaged flooring can create dangerous conditions.
These hazards can lead to serious injuries and significant medical expenses. Bedell & Stripto has extensive experience in identifying negligence in premises liability cases. Regardless of what caused your fall, we will thoroughly investigate, gathering evidence to build a strong case on your behalf.
Get Started With A Free Consultation
Call 732-348-3439 or send an email to discuss your case with Donald Bedell or Jeff Stripto, who serve Brick, Toms River and the surrounding parts of New Jersey.