MYRTLE BEACH Slip and Fall ATTORNEYS

A broken step can throw a person off-balance as they slip on the uneven area. As someone tumbles down the stairs, they can suffer broken bones, lacerations, or a concussion if they fall back onto their head.

It’s irresponsible for a property owner not to fix the broken step immediately after discovering it. If a maintenance worker or another employee knows about the damage but doesn’t notify the owner, that person could be at fault for a guest’s fall. However, the owner could still be held liable because they should know about the dangerous conditions on their property.

Floors can be slippery from a recent mopping, spilled drink, or leaking pipe. It’s up to the owner to address the issue themselves or ask an employee to clean up the mess for them. Slipping on a wet floor and falling can lead to various injuries, including sprained ankles or wrists, dislocated shoulders, and pulled muscles.

Mats and rugs on any property should have a slip-resistant material underneath. If someone walks on a loose rug and slides along the floor, they could fall and get hurt. Mats and rugs can also become dangerous if a corner isn’t flat on the floor, causing a trip hazard.

Property owner responsibilities extend to the exterior of the property. The owner should maintain the sidewalk regularly to prevent injuries. A crack in the sidewalk can cause someone to roll their ankle or catch their foot on the jagged edge and fall forward.

Debris, such as pebbles, trash, and loose items can obstruct any walkway, path, or hallway. If a guest doesn’t know there’s an obstruction in their way, they could slip or trip on it. Removing walking hazards should be easy for the owner. It doesn’t require significant repairs or the replacement of a structure. The owner or their employee simply needs to pick it up and move it out of the way.

The transition from one type of flooring to the next should be smooth and unobstructed. For example, the transition from a hardwood floor to carpeting shouldn’t contain spaces or uneven areas that can cause someone to trip or lose their footing. Unusual flooring transitions are dangerous because they’re often hidden. They’re hard to see if you’re not looking for them.

Lights are necessary to see where you’re walking, especially at night. Parking lots should remain well-lit at all times. Stairwells, unsecured areas, and potentially hazardous locations should also contain adequate lighting. If a bulb blows out in a stairwell, you likely won’t notice how steep the steps are or that the railing next to you is loose.

Carpets should remain firmly in place and not contain holes, tears, or loose areas that can lead to a slip and fall. Torn carpeting is dangerous and can cause visitors to fall if their foot gets stuck.