Slips, trips, and falls happen. The National Floor Safety Institute reports that more than one million people are hurt in slip and fall accidents nationwide every year. A business owner may be legally responsible for a slip and fall that occurred on its premises—but liability is not automatically imposed. In this article, our Dallas injury lawyer provides a comprehensive overview of the key things to know about when a business can be held liable for a slip and fall accident in Texas.
Slip and Fall Accidents at Businesses are Premises Liability Claims
As a starting point, it is important to emphasize that slip and fall accidents fall under the broader umbrellas of premises liability law in Texas. The principle is that property owners and property occupiers (businesses) owe a general duty of care to those who enter their property.
Put another way, a business in Dallas is responsible for maintaining a safe environment for its customers and employees. When a person slips, trips, or falls as a consequence of a hazardous condition on business premises, the business may be held legally accountable for the injuries.
It is important to emphasize that a business in Dallas is not automatically liable for a victim’s injuries simply because a slip and fall accident occurred on its premises. To recover financial compensation, the injured victim must prove fault.
What You Need to Prove to Impose Liability Against a Business in Texas
How do you prove liability for a slip and fall accident in Dallas? Under Texas law, there are a number of different legal elements that you must be prepared to establish. Here are five things that you should be prepared to prove when bringing a slip and fall accident lawsuit against a business:
- Duty of Care: Businesses in Texas owe a duty of care to customers and other invited guests. However, businesses owe very limited duties to trespassers.
- Breach of Duty: You must prove that a business failed to abide by its duty of care. In general, this requires demonstrating that your slip and fall accident occurred because the defendant (business) had an unreasonably dangerous safety hazard on its premises.
- Knowledge: In a Texas premises liability claim, a business is generally only liable for a slip and fall accident if it knew or should have known about the property hazard.
- Causation: Causation is a required element. There must be a direct link between the business’s negligence and the slip and fall accident.
- Actual Harm: Finally, you must prove that you suffered actual harm—real, tangible injuries—in the slip and fall accident to be eligible to recover financial compensation.
Common Hazards that Contribute to Slip and Fall Accident
Many different safety hazards can contribute to slip and fall accidents in Texas. Some common issues that businesses that may be deemed negligence include:
- Unmarked Wet Floors: Spills, leaks, freshly mopped areas, or other wet surfaces without proper signage can lead to slip and fall accidents.
- Loose or Worn Floor Coverings: Rugs, mats, or tiles that are not securely fastened can create a tripping hazard.
- Uneven Surfaces: Cracked, buckling, or otherwise uneven flooring can catch an unsuspecting foot and cause a serious accident.
- Poor Lighting: Insufficient lighting can prevent individuals from seeing obstacles or changes in the walking surface.
We Help Injured Slip and Fall Accident Victims Fight for the Maximum Compensation
Hurt in a slip and fall accident in Dallas or elsewhere in North Texas? It is imperative that you are able to obtain the compensation that you need to pay bills and provide for your family. However, unfortunately, you cannot rely on a business or an insurance company to look out for your best interests. At The Pennington Firm, our Dallas premises liability lawyers help injured slip and fall accident victims secure the maximum settlement or verdict, including for:
- Emergency medical treatment;
- Hospital bills;
- Other medical expenses;
- Rehabilitative care;
- Lost wages;
- Loss of earning power;
- Pain and suffering;
- Long-term disability; and
- Physical impairment.
Contact Our Dallas Slip and Fall Accident Attorney Today
At The Pennington Firm, our Dallas premises liability attorney has the skills and experience to take on all types of slip and fall accident claims. If you were hurt at a business in a slip and fall accident, we are here to help you get justice. Contact us right away to set up your free, fully private initial case review. With a law office in Dallas, we represent slip and fall accident victims throughout North Texas, including in Dallas County, Tarrant County, Collin County, and Denton County.
