Tenants Should Call a Trusted Slip and Fall Lawyer in These Scenarios

To say that slip-and-fall accidents are common would be a huge understatement. According to the National Floor Safety Institute (NFSI), this type of accident accounts for about eight million hospital emergency room visits each year.

A lot of times, a slip-and-fall accident is the result of someone’s negligence. And if you’re a tenant who has been injured after a fall, you may have legal grounds to sue your landlord. Below are just a few instances when he or she can be held legally liable:

Snow Removal

Snow may make a property look idyllic, but it can also pose a slip-and-fall risk. If the landlord fails to sufficiently remove snow after a particularly bad snow day, tenants might step on it and get injured in the subsequent fall. However, the lease must explicitly state that snow removal should be landlord’s duty and not yours, otherwise he can’t be held liable for your injuries.

Dripping Gutters

The roof is one of the most overlooked areas of any rental property, especially when it comes to the gutter. If it is not regularly cleaned out, detritus may clog it, causing water to spill onto the walkways below instead of the downspout. Once again, such a scenario can lead to slip-and-fall accidents since water can make concrete surfaces slippery.

Uneven Footpaths

If a footpath isn’t well designed, it can be dangerously uneven. As such, tenants walking on the path are liable to slip and fall because of the drastic change in the lay of the terrain. Likewise, some doorways also have moldings that people can trip on, thus resulting in injuries.

Problems in the Stairway

Stairways are one of the most common culprits for slip-and-fall accidents because they are naturally sloping. There are many instances where a landlord may be liable for injuries, as when the stairwell is not sufficiently lit, if there are no safety handrails to hold onto, or if the steps of the stairs themselves are defective.

Slippery Floors

For many landlords, keeping the floors clean and gleaming is just part of everyday maintenance. However, if they do not sufficiently warn tenants that a section of the floor is wet after cleaning, they can be liable for any accident that may occur. Likewise, they may also be on the hook if the floor they install is made of naturally slippery materials such as marble.

Of course, these are just some of the scenarios where a landlord can be sued by tenants after a slip-and-fall accident. It’s also important to note that to win your case in court, you must prove that your landlord was remiss in the performance of his duties, hence causing you injuries. To have a better shot at getting the proper recompense, it is advised to consult a trusted Oklahoma slip and fall lawyer.

For more information contact one of our highly qualified Attorneys in the Oklahoma City area call (405) 253-4478 or our main office in Ardmore (580) 798-0447.

Sources:

Tenants’ Rights on a Slip & Fall Due to Landlord’s Negligence, SFGate.com

Landlord Liability for Slip and Fall Injuries, NOLO.com