Ohio Slip and Falls: Who’s Responsible and How to Get Compensated

An experienced attorney can hold negligent parties accountable

Slip and fall accidents occur when you lose your footing due to a hazardous condition and suffer an injury as a result. They can happen anywhere, from grocery stores to sidewalks. In Ohio, these incidents often lead to serious injuries that disrupt lives.

Understanding who is responsible and how to seek compensation is a key step in building a strong case. If you sustained injuries in a slip and fall, an experienced Ohio personal injury lawyer can protect your rights and be your legal advocate throughout the course of your case.

What causes slip and fall accidents in Ohio?

Several common hazards contribute to slip and falls:

Wet or slippery surfaces: Spills, leaks, or recently mopped floors can create slick areas without warning signs.
Uneven sidewalks or flooring: Cracks, potholes, or loose floorboards can catch your foot and cause a fall.
Poor lighting conditions: Dim or inadequate lighting makes it hard to see obstacles or changes in floor level.
Weather-related hazards: Ice and snow are frequent in Ohio winters, and unshoveled walkways contribute to slip and falls.
Obstacles or debris in walkways: Cords, boxes, or other clutter can obstruct paths and lead to trips.

What injuries result from slip and falls?

Slip and fall accidents can lead to serious injuries:

Fractures and sprains: Broken bones, especially in the wrists, hips, or ankles, are common when you try to break your fall.
Head injuries: Hitting your head can cause concussions or traumatic brain injuries with long-term complications.
Back and spinal cord injuries: Falls can damage vertebrae or spinal discs and result in chronic pain or even paralysis.

Who’s responsible in Ohio slip and fall cases?

Determining responsibility in slip and fall cases requires thorough investigative measures. Property owners and occupiers have a legal duty to maintain safe environments for people who enter their premises. This duty varies based on the visitor’s status. Examples include:

Invitees

These are people invited onto the property for business purposes, such as customers in a store or clients in an office. Property owners owe the highest duty of care to invitees. They must regularly inspect the premises, fix hazards promptly, and warn of any dangers that can’t be immediately addressed.

Licensees

These are social guests or others who have permission to be on the property but are there for non-business reasons. Owners must warn licensees of known hazards that aren’t obvious. While they don’t need to inspect for unknown dangers, they can’t willfully harm licensees or act with reckless disregard for their safety.

Trespassers

Individuals who enter the property without permission fall into this category. Owners owe them the lowest duty of care, mainly to refrain from willfully causing harm. However, if the owner knows that trespassers frequently enter the property, they may have a duty to post warnings about dangerous conditions.

How is liability established in slip and fall cases?

To hold a property owner liable, you must establish negligence by proving:

A hazardous condition existed: There was a dangerous situation on the property, like a wet floor without warning signs or a broken stair.
The owner knew or should have known about it: They were aware of the hazard or, through reasonable care, should have discovered it. For example, if a spill remained on the floor for hours, the owner should have noticed it during regular inspections.
Failure to address or warn: The owner didn’t fix the hazard or provide adequate warnings to prevent injury. Simply ignoring the danger or delaying repairs can constitute negligence.

Consider a scenario where a customer slips on a wet floor in a grocery store. If employees knew about the spill but didn’t clean it up or place warning signs, the store can be held responsible. Their failure to act breached their duty of care to invitees.

Ohio also follows a comparative negligence system. This means if you are partially at fault for the slip and fall, your compensation decreases by your percentage of fault. For example, if you were texting and not paying attention when you slipped, a court might find you 20% at fault. If your total awarded damages are $10,000, you’d receive $8,000 after the reduction.

However, Ohio follows a modified comparative negligence rule with a 51% bar. If you’re found to be 51% or more at fault, you can’t recover any compensation. This makes it important to present a strong case that minimizes your liability.

What should I do after a slip and fall accident in Ohio?

The first thing you should do after a slip and fall is inform the property owner or manager as soon as possible. Document the slip and fall scene by taking photos of where you fell. Be sure to capture existing hazards such as wet floors, uneven surfaces, or poor lighting. While you’re still at the scene, look around for witnesses who may have seen what happened and get their contact information.

Next, you should seek immediate medical attention, even if your injuries seem minor. Slip and fall injuries can worsen if left untreated. Plus, symptoms can take days to develop. When you get a medical evaluation, you can identify the injury and begin treatment early on. Plus, it helps you establish a link between the injury and the slip and fall accident.

You should then get legal help from an experienced Ohio personal injury lawyer who can investigate your slip and fall, inform you of your rights and options, and help build a strong case for compensation.

In the meantime, follow all medical and legal advice and keep relevant documents to support your case. These include medical records and bills, a pain and suffering journal, appointment logs, pay stubs, and other documents that help quantify your damages. Also, avoid discussing the accident on social media or with anyone except your attorney.

How can an Ohio personal injury lawyer help me after a slip and fall accident?

If you’ve been injured in a slip and fall accident, don’t let negligence go unchallenged. The Ohio personal injury lawyers at Merriman Legal are committed to defending your rights and helping you maximize your compensation.

Our experienced legal team handles everything on a contingency fee basis, meaning you don’t pay unless we win your case. Plus, we offer free consultations to learn about your slip and fall accident, answer questions, and help you explore your legal options further. If you don’t feel that we’re a good fit for your case, there’s no obligation to work with us.

Contact us online or call today to schedule your free consultation. Let our dedicated team fight for the justice you’re entitled to while you focus on recovery.

“I hired Tom Merriman as my lawyer and I couldn’t of chose better. He did a fantastic job with my case, he went above and beyond for me. I’m very happy with his service and I highly recommend him to anyone with any legal troubles !”

- Desiray, ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

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