What You Need to Know About Slip and Fall Prevention

Although it is a property owner’s responsibility to keep her premises safe, any “slip, trip, and fall” accident victim will tell you that this does not always happen. (For simplicity, we’ll refer to “slip, trip and fall accidents” as a catch-all for any accident in which you bust your tail on someone else’s property).

It is important that every individual looks out for herself and does what she can to prevent an accident from happening in the first place. No one wants to end up in the hospital with broken bones, internal bleeding, or head trauma.

How to Avoid Slip, Trip, and Fall Accidents:

Some of these prevention techniques may seem obvious, but you should never assume a property is 100 percent safe:

• Try to wear shoes that are slip-resistant. No shoe is ever going to be completely slip-resistant, but there is definitely a big difference between wearing slippery plastic flip-flops and solid, supportive sneakers with special slip-resistant soles. By wearing these shoes, you may be able to avoid a fall even when a spill hasn’t been cleaned up or a floor is freshly mopped.
• Be alert. This may seem like a no-brainer, but we see so many people out in public talking on their cell phones, exchanging text messages with friends, or being completely oblivious to their surroundings in general. Put the phone down and pay attention to what is going on around you.
• Slow down. People love to rush around and try to get a million things done in a short amount of time. Take a deep breath and take your time—going a little slower can play a major role in keeping you safe from slip and fall hazards.

If You’re Even Partially At Fault For Your Injuries, You May Not Have a Case

By taking time to stop and be aware, you can play an integral role in your own safety in situations that could otherwise result in a serious injury. No matter how seriously you may be injured, in North Carolina, if you are partially at fault (even 1%) for your fall, you can be completely barred from recovery. This is because of an old rule of law called “contributory negligence.” North Carolina is one of just four other states that still follows this harsh rule.

Even so, with the right facts and circumstances on your side, an attorney not afraid to take on a tough case may be able to find a creative “outside of the box” approach to a successful financial recovery for you.

If you were seriously injured in a slip, trip and fall accident in Raleigh, contact Maurer Law at 888-258-1087 for a free consultation. Although we are quite selective in the cases we take on, we might be able to help.