Rainy Weather, Entryways, and Slips and Falls
A common culprit for slippery entryways and walkways, rainy weather can lead to an increased risk of slips and falls. In Bucks County and throughout the country, businesses have a responsibility to maintain safe premises. While this is well understood, accident details will need to be reviewed to determine liability.
When accident injury expenses mount and legal questions arise, connect with a Bucks County personal injury attorney. If you’ve been injured in a slip-and-fall incident caused by wet conditions, it’s essential to understand your rights and the responsibilities of property owners under Pennsylvania law.
How Rainy Weather Creates Hazards
Rain can make entryways, walkways, and floors dangerously slick, especially if water is tracked indoors by customers.
- Wet entryway floors. Accumulated water near entrances can create a slippery surface.
- Unmarked hazards. Lack of warning signs to alert customers to wet conditions.
- Poor drainage. Standing water on sidewalks or in parking lots due to inadequate drainage systems.
- Neglected maintenance. Failure to clean up puddles, repair leaks, or place non slip mats.
These situations can quickly lead to falls, causing serious injuries like broken bones, concussions, or back injuries. Under Pennsylvania premises liability law, business owners have a duty to maintain their property for all users.
When it comes to rainy weather, these liability laws mean that business owners and managers need to monitor entryways and walkways, regularly checking for water accumulation. Other steps involve taking preventative measures, such as placing absorbent mats, using wet floor signs, and installing non slip flooring materials. Addressing wet areas quickly to prevent accidents is key, and if a business fails to take safety measures seriously and someone is injured as a result, they may be held liable for the damages.
The Customer’s Responsibilities
Of course, while businesses must ensure safe conditions, customers also bear some responsibility for their safety. In Pennsylvania, the doctrine of comparative negligence applies. This means that if a customer’s own actions contributed to their fall, their compensation may be reduced proportionately. For example, a customer who ignored a visible wet floor sign or wore inappropriate footwear for the weather might be partially responsible for their accident.
To hold a business owner accountable for a slip or a fall, you must prove that they were negligent. This typically involves showing that the hazard existed and the business knew, or should have known, about it but did not take reasonable steps to keep everyone, staff and customers alike, safe.
Slips and falls during stormy weather can result in painful injuries and high healthcare fees. If this is true for you, consult with an experienced Bucks County personal injury attorney. Legal experts are available to investigate your claim, gather evidence like surveillance footage and maintenance records, and negotiate with the business’s insurance company to secure the compensation you deserve.
How did a wet surface contribute to your slip, trip, or fall injury? Reach out to the legal team at Kevin L. Hand, P.C. to discuss your case. Call 215-968-6602 to begin exploring your compensation options.
