If you are suffering from injuries that resulted from a fall in public or at your place of work, you may feel embarrassed and unsure of what to do next. While you may assume that you are to blame for the accident, it is also possible that your slip-and-fall accident was the result of factors beyond your control. Property owners and other parties are accountable for maintaining reasonably safe conditions that do not place visitors at unnecessary risk.
You could be suffering as a result of dangerous property conditions. Those who own and manage public property and places of business have the responsibility to take reasonable measures that will reduce the chance of slips, trips and falls. Reducing the chance of these types of accidents requires first understanding the factors that may make floors and other surfaces more dangerous.
What causes slip-and-fall accidents?
Risk factors associated with slip-and-fall accidents are not always immediately apparent or visible. In many cases, these types of events are simply the result of negligent maintenance, failure to adequately maintain a space and other preventable factors. Factors often associated with slip-and-fall accidents include:
- Failure to clean up foreign substances on the surface, such as grease, water or ice
- Flooring with raised edging, loose flooring or unsecured carpet
- Poor lighting in the area, making it difficult to walk safely
- Floor surfaces that are uneven
- Unsecured or slippery stairs
- Obstructions or unexpected features
You may not be certain which factors played a role in what happened to you. If you are not sure what caused you to slip or trip, resulting in your injuries, a careful evaluation of the incident may be helpful. When you understand the risk factors that affected your physical safety, you will be able to determine if you have grounds to move forward with a civil claim.
Fighting for justice
The New Mexico civil justice system provides you the opportunity to hold liable parties accountable for their role in your slip-and-fall accident. While compensation and damages cannot reverse what happened to you, it can provide you with the resources you need to put the pieces back together, address your accident-related expenses and move forward. You have the right to fight for justice and pursue the most beneficial outcome to this unfortunate situation.