Slip & Fall
Slip and fall accidents can result in a range of injuries, such as torn ligaments, broken bones and even devastating neck and spinal injuries.
If you have suffered harm because of a slip or fall that was not your fault, you could be entitled to recover damages for the pain and suffering you have experienced.
What is a slip or fall?
Slips and falls can happen in a number of different ways, with some of the most common including –
- Slips on snow and ice
- Slips on wet floors
- Trips over cables or loose/uneven flooring
- Falls caused by potholes
- Trips caused by inadequate lighting
Who is to blame for a slip or fall?
In British Columbia, the owner or occupier of a premises has a duty to ensure any potential visitors are not exposed to hazards that could potentially cause an injury. An ‘occupier’ can be a person, company, city, or other entity.
If you have sustained harm because of a slip or fall, you need to consider whether the occupier or owner of a premises maintained the area to a reasonably safe standard.
A common example is a spillage in a supermarket – regardless of who created the spillage, the supermarket has a duty to remove the hazard and warn customers and employees of the risk. A failure to do so will mean the supermarket has failed to meet their duty of care. If someone is injured as a result, the supermarket could be held accountable.
Slips on snow and ice
Another common example during winter is slips on snow and ice. Of course, no one can control the weather, but occupiers and owners have a responsibility to make their premises reasonably safe for the general public. This means doing things such as regularly clearing snow and ice from sidewalks, parking lots and other areas that may be accessed by visitors.
If an occupier or owner fails to do this and you slip as a result, they could be at fault for your injuries.
Making a slip and fall claim
To prove that an occupier or owner is liable for your injuries if you slip and fall, you need to establish that they failed to make the premises reasonably safe. Evidence will be vital in proving this, so if you are involved in a slip or trip, it is a good idea to –
- Take photos of the scene of the accident
- Take the names and contact details of anyone who witnessed the accident
- Report the accident to the owner or occupier of the premises
- Photograph and keep the footwear you were wearing at the time of the accident
- Visit a medical practitioner and follow their advice
You should then contact a Vancouver personal injury lawyer who specializes in slip and fall claims. A lawyer will be able to assess your case and advise whether or not you are eligible to receive compensation.
If you do have grounds for a claim, you could be entitled to recover damages for your pain and suffering, lost wages or income, out of pocket expenses, future care costs and diminished capacity for work. You may even be able to claim damages for your loss of enjoyment of life.
Vancouver personal injury lawyer
If you have been injured in a slip or fall accident, you could be entitled to compensation. To find out, please do not hesitate to contact our personal injury lawyers. We can help you understand if anyone is at fault for your injuries, and if so, can pursue a lawsuit on your behalf.
We also work on a reasonable contingency fee basis. This means that if there is no recovery of costs, there are no fees.
If you have been injured in a slip or fall, call us to find out what your legal rights are.