Property owners in Missouri have a responsibility to reasonably maintain their properties so that anyone who enters their property legally is safe. When a property owner fails to perform necessary repairs, fails to inspect the property for defects, or acts negligently, they may be liable for slip-and-fall injuries that occur on the premises.
Slip-and-fall accidents can occur anywhere, for a variety of reasons. Slip-and-fall accidents may occur due to dangerous conditions such as:
- Uneven floor tiles or carpeting
- Spilled substances
- Debris on floor
- Obstructions
- Ice and snow
- Poor lighting
- Broken steps
The injuries stemming from a slip-and-fall can range from minor bruises to traumatic brain injuries and broken bones. If you are suffering from an injury because of your slip-and-fall, you may file a personal injury claim against the property owner and other parties responsible for maintaining the premises where your accident occurred.
You will have to establish the following:
- You were legally on the property
- The accident was caused by a dangerous condition on the property
- The property owner knew or should have known of the dangerous condition on the premises
- The property owner failed to take reasonable steps to maintain the premises
- You suffered injuries because of the accident
Can slip-and-fall victims be liable for their own injuries?
Many slip-and-fall accidents occur in part due to the negligence of the injured party. For example, an injured person might fail to pay attention while walking, fail to wear proper footwear, and disregard warning signs. These are all signs of negligence.
If you are found to be partially negligent, you can still recover a portion of your damages. Your damages will be reduced based on your degree of fault. For example, if you are 20% liable, you will have your damages reduced by 20%.
If you are a victim of one of these accidents, you may be entitled to damages for your medical expenses, lost wages and other costs.