Coquitlam Slip and Fall Accident Lawyers
Whether a slip and fall accident occurs on a commercial or residential property, their impacts can be long-lasting and wide-ranging. Slips and falls are unexpected occurrences that can happen in a split second, but have the potential to negatively affect an accident victim for the rest of their lives.
If you were injured on someone else’s property, you might instinctively blame yourself, your own lack of attention or clumsiness for the accident. However, in many circumstances, when slip and fall accidents happen on premises owned or operated by another individual or entity, the at-fault party might not even be present at the scene at the time of the accident. This is because the occupiers of both commercial and residential properties owe a duty of care to the people interacting with their spaces. In accordance with the British Columbia Occupiers Liability Act, the people who control access to the premises must take reasonable, proactive, preventative steps to ensure their property is safe for others to visit.
As “occupier” could refer to anyone who has control over the premises. This could include the property’s owner, a business manager, a landlord, a tenant who controls access to the premises, or another person or entity who is responsible for the safe maintenance of the property.
If a property’s occupier fails to meet their duty of care and a slip and fall occurs as a result, they may be held liable for the injuries sustained by the accident victim. For example, if a grocery store’s staff fails to clean up a spill in a timely manner and/or fails to put down a clear warning sign alerting customers to the slippery floor, the grocery store may be held responsible for any injuries sustained by customers who accidentally slip and fall as a result of the management’s negligence.
There are several hazards that can cause slip and fall accidents on commercial and residential properties. These hazards often include:
- Recently mopped floors
- Improperly cleared ice and snow
- Uneven surfaces
- Cracked pavement
- Potholes
- Poor lighting
- Broken or missing handrails
- Warped staircases
- Debris or clutter
- And more
The injuries sustained from a slip and fall accident can vary from mild cuts and bruises to permanent and severe injuries that impact a person’s entire quality of life. As the result of a property occupier’s negligence, unsuspecting accident victims could sustain serious bone fractures, traumatic brain injuries, and even spinal cord injuries causing paralysis.
Some individuals are more susceptible to serious injuries from slip and fall accidents than others. For example, older adults, who may have limited mobility and balance issues, are more likely to sustain serious injuries in slip and fall accidents. In fact, 85% of injury-related emergency room visits for older Canadians are the result of a falling accident.
If you were injured in a slip and fall on someone else’s property, you might be entitled to compensation. By working with our Coquitlam slip and fall accident lawyers, you may be able to pursue a civil claim against the responsible party in order to recover compensation for the damages you have incurred as a result of the injuries you have sustained. To learn more about working with our slip and fall accident lawyers serving Coquitlam, contact us today.
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Being injured in a slip and fall accident can be expensive. Between medical expenses, lost wages, reduced future earning capabilities, and the costs of necessary lifestyle adjustments, the price of someone else’s negligence can quickly become unaffordable.
By taking legal action, you may be able to recover the compensation you deserve. To learn how our Coquitlam slip and fall accident lawyers may be able to help you after an injury-causing accident on someone else’s property, call us today and receive a free initial consultation on your case.
