At the end of January, Charlotte was hit by Winter Storm Jonas. While other cities to the north and west received inches of snow, Mecklenburg county roads and sidewalks were covered with ice. Ice doesn’t only cause car and truck accidents, It can also create difficult conditions for pedestrians.
“Charlotte is a city with a large amount of foot traffic” said Thomas D. Bumgardner, Ballantyne personal injury lawyer. “Public transportation such as the light rail system allow people to walk wherever they need to go.”
With conditions the way they were, you or someone you know may have been the victim of a slip and fall accident. The effects of a fall can be devastating, but when do hazardous conditions turn from unavoidable to negligent?
What Constitutes a Slip and Fall Accident?
A slip and fall accident is just what it sounds like. When a person slips or trips and falls due to preventable conditions, the situation may result in a personal injury suit. Common conditions in slip and fall accidents include
- Icy or slick surfaces
- Poorly maintained walking surface
- Poorly lit walkways
In many cases, it is a combination of these three things. For example: A building has steps leading from their front door to the sidewalk. The ice storm causes the cement outside of a building has become slick. No salt was laid to improve traction. The cement stairway in front of the building has not been maintained properly and pieces are broken in several areas. No stair-lights or overhead lights are lit. If someone were to become injured in this area, they may have a good chance of being compensated.
During court proceedings, both sides must show they fulfilled their responsibility. The person walking must show that they took proper care when walking on the property (example: they were walking at a normal pace and were wearing appropriate footwear.) The property owner must show that they made a reasonable effort to create a safe walking environment (example: posting warning signs and laying salt.)
What Can I Be Compensated For?
If the court finds that a property owner has not performed their duty of care, you may be eligible for the following compensation:
- Medical bills
- Replacement of property destroyed in the fall
- Lost wages
- Pain & suffering
- Any other financial / emotional hardship suffered as a result of the accident
Slip & Fall Cases are Complicated. Trust a Personal Injury Lawyer
An experienced personal injury lawyer will be able to collect the details, analyze the property and determine whether or not you have a case for a slip and fall lawsuit. If you or a loved one has been the victim of a slip and fall accident, consider Thomas D. Bumgardner. Thomas has years of experiences serving residents of Charlotte, Ballantyne and surrounding counties. His number one goal is to get his clients the justice they deserve.
For a free consultation, please call (704) 887-4981