Challenges Of A Slip And Fall Case On A Sidewalk At A Business
In the winter, the ground can be slippery, and if you were walking on a sidewalk and fell due to the icy conditions while you were out shopping, you might be wondering if you could sue the business owner for this incident. Before you rush to an attorney, it is important to know that there are challenges of suing for an incident like this, and here are some of the challenges you might face.
You Must Have Injuries
The first thing to consider is the injuries you experienced from slipping and falling on the sidewalk. If you have minor scrapes or bruises, this is probably not enough to warrant filing a case against a business owner for this accident. If you have major injuries, though, such as a broken arm, leg, or hip, you might want to consider pursuing compensation through a slip and fall incident. Additionally, you would need proof of the injuries and that they happened from the slip and fall. This is the first challenge you might face.
You Must Prove Negligence and Responsibility
The second challenge to consider in this is that, to file a lawsuit against the business owner, you will need to prove that the business owner was negligent in the matter and that the negligence is what led to you slipping and falling. Additionally, you will likely have to prove that the business owner actually did something wrong in the event and that the wrongdoing is what caused you to fall.
You Actually Have Responsibilities Too
The other important thing to understand is that, in conditions like this, you have responsibilities as well. A business owner might shovel the sidewalks and spread salt on them multiple times a day, but if the conditions are bad enough, the sidewalks might still be slippery. You have the responsibility of understanding that this is how sidewalks can be in the winter, and you would have to take precautions as you walk on the sidewalks to avoid falling. This is your own responsibility, as there is nothing a business owner can do to fully ensure that there are no slippery spots. If you were racing along trying to get inside as quickly as possible, you may not have paid close enough attention to the conditions of the sidewalks, and this may have led to your fall.
If you are not sure how to proceed with your case, or if you even have a good case, talk to a slip and fall attorney today.