When a person slips and falls, who is responsible? This isn’t always an easy question to answer. If we’re talking about premises liability law, we’re mainly interested in determining who the owner or manager is. It seems like a straightforward question, but it can be a little tricky.
Let’s say you’re out shopping at a big box store. If you slip in a puddle that was caused by a leaking freezer, there’s a good chance that the store will be liable for your injuries—even if the property is owned by someone else. If the building or the land itself is defective in some way, you can likely seek damages from both the business and the property owner.
Maybe the company that was hired to maintain the structure or the store parking lot is responsible. What if a store outsources its snow removal, and the snow removal company creates hazards by cutting corners? In that case, you can probably go after both the store and the maintenance business.
It’s possible that some other third-party contractor is to blame. Sometimes an outside company is hired to improve a property, and it ends up making things worse. If the contractor creates an unsafe condition that results in your injury, both the contractor and the company who hired them could be on the hook.
Bottom line: When it comes to a slip and fall injury, it’s not always entirely clear who’s at fault. These cases can be tough, but an experienced injury attorney can make things easier on you. If you have any questions, give us a call at 317-632-3642. Stay safe and look out for each other.
